Shocks and Struts Replacement Cost (2026)

Replacing both front struts costs about $490–$745 at an independent shop in 2026, including the alignment Monroe’s instructions call for: $248–$359 for a pair of complete strut assemblies (Monroe Quick-Strut or KYB Strut-Plus on an Accord or Camry), 1.5 hours of labor at $100–$150/hr (Subaru’s and Honda’s published times), plus a $90–$160 alignment. Before the alignment it’s about $400–$585. Rear shocks on a pickup cost $127–$204 a pair for the parts.

Sources: chain price pages, retailer and manufacturer list prices, official documents (below) · Prices checked 2026-11-09 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology

Shocks and Struts Replacement cost by service type

ServiceParts / fluidLaborTypical shop total
Both front struts (complete assemblies)$248–$359Accord / Camry1.5 hr$400–$585[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]Two assemblies + 1.5 hr (Subaru and Honda published times) × $100–$150/hr
Both front struts + four-wheel alignment$248–$3591.5 hr+ alignment at posted price$490–$745[1],[3],[4],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14],[15]Row above + posted four-wheel alignment $90–$160
One front strut (complete assembly)$124–$1791.1 hr$235–$345[1],[3],[4],[6],[7]One assembly + 1.1 hr (Subaru one-strut time) × $100–$150/hr; alignment extra
Rear shocks, pickup (pair)$127–$204Ford F-150—No published time foundLabor not published — get a quote[16],[17]Monroe Reflex to KYB Gas-a-Just list prices; add labor

Labor is from manufacturer warranty times on example vehicles (Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot); cars with electronic dampers take longer. A bare strut costs less than a complete assembly but has to be moved onto your old spring with a spring compressor. Before tax, shop-supply and disposal fees. Where we derive a total, labor is hours × $$100–$150 per hour[6],[7]. See the methodology.

DIY vs. shop vs. dealer

WhereCostWhat you get
DIY$250–$360Front pair, complete assembliesComplete assemblies come with the spring and mount, so you don’t need a spring compressor. You’ll still need the car aligned afterward.[1],[3],[8]
Chain / independent shop$490–$745Front pair with alignmentParts plus book hours at $100–$150/hr and an alignment. Midas stores post shock/strut “starting at” prices of $109.99 to $399.99 without saying whether that’s one unit or a pair.[6],[7],[14],[15],[18]
Dealer$435–$620Front pair before alignment, derivedThe same parts and 1.5 hours at dealers’ $125–$175/hr effective rate; dealers typically fit genuine parts, which cost more. Dealer alignment specials run $120–$200.[4],[19],[20],[21],[22]

Monroe’s Quick-Strut instructions end with “Align front end to vehicle manufacturer’s specifications” and checking rear toe. Never disassemble a strut with a loaded coil spring without the right compressor.[8]

Do struts have to be replaced in pairs?

  • Not according to two manufacturers. Subaru’s bulletin says to replace only the affected strut assembly “as they do not have to be replaced in pairs.”[4]
  • Nissan tells its dealers: “do NOT automatically replace struts/shock absorbers on both sides. Replace the leaking strut/shock absorber only,” and says slight oil seepage is normal and doesn’t require replacement.[23]
  • If both sides are worn, doing them together saves a second alignment.

What drives the cost

  • Complete assembly vs. bare strut: on the Accord a bare KYB strut is $103.55 vs. $124.10 for a Monroe complete assembly, but the assembly saves spring-compressor work.[1],[24]
  • Electronic or adaptive dampers: Honda’s time to replace both front active dampers on an Acura MDX is 2.5 hours, versus 1.5 hours for conventional struts.[4],[25]
  • The alignment: struts change suspension geometry, so budget $90–$160 for a four-wheel alignment.[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14],[15]
  • Front struts vs. rear shocks: bolt-on rear truck shocks cost $64–$102 each for the part.[16],[17]

When you actually need it

Monroe recommends having shocks and struts inspected annually, or whenever the car is in for tire, brake or alignment work; its inspection checklist asks whether the units have been in service 50,000 miles or more.[26],[27]

Signs Monroe lists: fluid leaking down the body, a bent or damaged rod, worn mounts or bushings, cupped or uneven tire wear, bouncing, bottoming out, and nose-dive when braking or squat when accelerating.[27]

For your manufacturer’s suspension inspection intervals, see maintenance schedules by brand.

More repair costs

AC recharge (freon) costTransmission fluid change / flush costTPMS sensor replacement costBrake pad replacement costCar battery replacement costCoolant flush costSpark plug replacement costSerpentine belt replacement costTiming belt replacement costWater pump replacement costWheel alignment costTire rotation costWheel bearing replacement costCV axle replacement costAlternator replacement costStarter replacement costCatalytic converter replacement costFuel pump replacement costRadiator replacement costHybrid battery replacement costEV and Tesla battery replacement costOil change costAll repair costs →

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace struts?

About $400–$585 for both front struts at an independent shop (complete assemblies $248–$359 plus 1.5 hours at $100–$150/hr), or $490–$745 with the alignment. One strut is about $235–$345 before alignment.

Do you need an alignment after replacing struts?

Yes. Monroe’s Quick-Strut installation instructions finish with aligning the front end to the manufacturer’s specifications and checking rear toe.

Should struts be replaced in pairs?

Not necessarily. Subaru says its struts don’t have to be replaced in pairs, and Nissan tells dealers to replace only the leaking unit. If both are worn, doing them together saves a second alignment.

What’s the difference between shocks and struts?

A strut is a structural part of the suspension that also carries the spring and locates the wheel, so replacing it affects alignment; a shock absorber only damps motion. Many cars have struts in front and shocks in back.

How do I know my shocks or struts are worn?

Monroe lists leaking fluid, cupped tire wear, bouncing after bumps, bottoming out, and the nose diving under braking. It suggests an inspection once a year.

Sources

  1. PartsHawk, Monroe Quick-Strut 172971 front left, 2013–17 Honda Accord, accessed 2026-11-09.
  2. PartsHawk, Monroe Quick-Strut 172970 front right, 2013–17 Honda Accord, accessed 2026-11-09.
  3. PartsHawk, KYB Strut-Plus SR4256 front left, 2012–17 Toyota Camry 2.5L, accessed 2026-11-09.
  4. Subaru of America (TSB 05-90-24R, via NHTSA), 2019–23 Ascent front strut replacement: strut and four-wheel alignment labor times (2024-03-11), accessed 2026-11-09.
  5. American Honda (Service Bulletin 10-029, via NHTSA), 2009–10 Pilot front damper springs: replacement and four-wheel alignment labor times, accessed 2026-11-09.
  6. Ratchet+Wrench, 2026 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey (posted labor rate distribution, p. 13) (2026-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
  7. Ratchet+Wrench, Industry Insights: U.S. Auto Repair Shops and Labor Rate Trends (PartsTech 2025 shop survey) (2026-08-19), accessed 2026-11-09.
  8. Monroe (Tenneco), Quick-Strut installation instructions, accessed 2026-11-09.
  9. Midas (Henderson, NV store), Suspension & alignment: 4-wheel alignment starting price, accessed 2026-11-09.
  10. Midas (San Antonio, TX store), Suspension & alignment: 2-wheel, 4-wheel, steering-angle-sensor reset and ADAS calibration prices, accessed 2026-11-09.
  11. Midas (Coral Springs, FL store), Suspension & alignment: 4-wheel alignment and steering-angle-sensor reset prices, accessed 2026-11-09.
  12. Midas (Honolulu, HI store), Suspension & alignment: 4-wheel alignment and ADAS calibration prices, accessed 2026-11-09.
  13. Midas (Madison, WI store), Suspension & alignment: 4-wheel alignment and ADAS calibration prices, accessed 2026-11-09.
  14. Midas (Ann Arbor, MI store), Service price estimates (alignment, tire rotation, shocks/struts), accessed 2026-11-09.
  15. Midas (Columbia, SC store), Service price estimates (alignment, tire rotation, shocks/struts), accessed 2026-11-09.
  16. PartsHawk, Monroe Reflex 911335 rear shock, 2015–20 Ford F-150, accessed 2026-11-09.
  17. PartsHawk, KYB Gas-a-Just 554373 rear shock, 2009–24 Ford F-150, accessed 2026-11-09.
  18. Midas (Houston, TX store), Service price estimates (alignment, tire rotation, shocks/struts), accessed 2026-11-09.
  19. Dealership Guy, Reynolds and Reynolds: repair orders, rates increase for shops (Fixed Operation Golden Metrics 2026) (2026-08-17), accessed 2026-11-09.
  20. Reynolds and Reynolds, The Fixed Operations Golden Metrics 2025 (dealer effective labor rate) (2025-08), accessed 2026-11-09.
  21. Bill Utter Ford, Denton TX (dealer), Service special: 4-wheel alignment (2026-11), accessed 2026-11-09.
  22. Land Rover Chandler, AZ (dealer), Service special: 4-wheel alignment (regular price $250) (2026-11), accessed 2026-11-09.
  23. Nissan North America (NTB99-001e, via NHTSA), Strut and shock absorber oil seepage: replace only the leaking unit (2021-02-12), accessed 2026-11-09.
  24. PartsHawk, KYB Excel-G 3340123 bare strut, 2013–17 Honda Accord, accessed 2026-11-09.
  25. American Honda (Service Bulletin 16-020, via NHTSA), 2007–10 Acura MDX / 2010 ZDX active dampers: replace both front dampers — labor time, accessed 2026-11-09.
  26. Monroe (Tenneco), When should my shocks and struts be inspected?, accessed 2026-11-09.
  27. Monroe (Tenneco), How to conduct a shock and strut inspection, accessed 2026-11-09.