When should I replace my truck shocks? Generally, shocks and struts wear out every 50,000-100,000 miles. If you’re a more aggressive driver and/or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks and struts don’t go out all at once; they deteriorate slowly over time.

How long should truck shocks last? “Driving on rough or unpaved roads, towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads, can shorten their functional life,” says Reina. “With heavy use, you could be looking to replace them at 40,000 or 50,000 miles or sooner. Under normal conditions, 75,000 to 90,000 miles might be reasonable.”

At what mileage should you replace shocks? Some shock absorber manufacturers say you should replace them at 50,000 miles, but that’s more for their benefit than yours. Having the shocks and suspension parts inspected at 40,000 or 50,000 miles, then annually after that, is a better idea.

How do I know if my truck shocks are bad? Other signs of car shocks and struts in bad condition are unusual noises over bumps, excessive body lean or sway in turns, or that the front end of the vehicle dives sharply in hard braking. Bad shocks also can affect steering control and cause uneven tire wear. Carrying heavy loads also will wear out shocks faster.

When should I replace my truck shocks? – Related Questions

Will new shocks make ride smoother?

Shocks and struts help keep the vehicle stable during acceleration and braking. The customer may think that new shocks and struts will simply make their ride smoother, but the truth is that new shocks and struts can do a whole lot more. New shocks and struts can make a vehicle corner and brake like when it was new.

How much does it cost to change shocks?

A typical shock and strut replacement can set you back anywhere between $450 and $1,100 on parts and labor combined. An individual shock and strut assembly costs around $150 to $900, while estimated labor costs for replacing a shock and strut assembly can range anywhere from $150 to $300 per assembly.

Should I replace all 4 shocks at the same time?

Finally, replace your struts and shocks in pairs

Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all four, for even, predictable handling and control. After all, all four have been on the vehicle for the same number of miles and worked under the same conditions.

Do I have to get an alignment after replacing struts?

Replacing those struts requires no alignment.

Are shocks and struts the same thing?

What is the difference? A shock absorber on an automobile does one thing and one thing only, keeps the car from bouncing. Struts are considerably different. Struts are a structural part of the suspension system and are mounted to the chassis of the vehicle on the top, and they come down through.

Will worn shocks cause sagging?

Actually blown shocks can change ride height. If the shock is blown, you have no resistance to compression and the car will sag some.

What shocks give the smoothest ride?

The smoothest riding shocks you can get would be ones identical or nearly identical to factory tuning, typically something like the Bilstein B4 series, KYB Excel-G Series, or Monroe OE Spectrum. All of these have the most forgiving valving for road handling and comfort.

Can bad shocks cause shaking?

E – Excessive vibration in your steering wheel.

If the vibration remains constant while you’re driving, it might be a sign that there’s a serious problem with your shocks. At highway speeds, these vibrations could become more intense and hamper your ability to control the car.

What happens if you don’t change your shock absorbers?

When shocks and struts begin wearing out, your ability to control your vehicle is compromised, and so is the overall comfort of your ride. In addition, failing shocks and struts can affect other parts of your car and lead to additional expensive repairs or replacements.

Should I replace front and rear shocks at the same time?

Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs (front axle or rear axle), and it’s even better to replace the shocks/struts on all four wheels at one time. This helps maintain reliable handling and a consistent response on both sides of the vehicle.

What sound does a bad shock make?

Knocking Sound: When you head over some bumps in the road, especially potholes, speed bumps, things like that and you hear a metallic knocking sound then that’s a good sign that your shocks are worn out.

Is KYB better than Bilstein shocks?

➥➥ Bilstein shocks are overall more durable and better for off-road driving. ➥➥ KYB shocks are a bit better with cornering. Their corner strut assemblies are a bargain too. ➥➥ KYB are definitely stiffer – with Bilstein you will experiences a smoother, more comfortable ride overall.

Do better shocks make a difference?

Most upgraded shocks are wider and longer, which helps increase the amount of oil used in each shock and allows the extra heat to dissipate. You can also look at remote reservoir shocks which will help increase the fluid or oil flow when the shock experiences more extreme heat conditions.

Why are Bilstein shocks better?

The Bilstein shock absorber is equipped to handle difficult terrain and harsh bumps, while also improving the handling of your car. They are only designed to fit larger vehicles. The ride of the vehicle may be stiffer than the OEM shocks, and they may not operate at their full capacity with cars that have a lift kit.

How hard is it to replace shocks?

The most difficult part of the job is removing the old shocks, which can have a tendency to be really gunky with both age and road-grit, making the bushings and bolts somewhat difficult to remove.

How much does it cost to change rear shocks?

On average, replacing rear shocks is going to run you somewhere between $1,000 and $1,130. And there is very little wiggle room for those looking for a deal. The parts associated with rear shock replacement come in at right around $900 and make up the bulk of the rear shock replacement cost.

Can you drive with bad shocks?

If your shocks and struts go bad, you shouldn’t drive your car for long. Driving with bad shocks and struts is a safety risk because the stability of your vehicle is compromised. You will experience poor handling, excessive body roll, a wobbly steering wheel, and poor traction.

Can you just replace shocks?

Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It’s not necessary, but it’s usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. If you replace only one shock absorber, it may create “unevenness” from side to side when driving over bumps.

Do I need an alignment after replacing sway bar links?

An alignment isn’t necessary after any sway bar install.

Are struts worth replacing?

Struts don’t need to be replaced unless your vehicle is bouncing like it’s on a pogo stick or bottoms out in potholes and over railroad tracks — or unless a mechanic finds that they’re leaking fluid or have been damaged. The struts limit the resulting bouncing caused by the springs compressing and releasing.

Are struts expensive?

Strut Replacement Cost

On average, expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $900 to replace a pair of struts. An individual strut assembly will cost about $150 to $300 so you’re looking at around $300 to $600 for parts alone. Labor alone will set you back about $150 to $300 for the pair.