Car Suspension Repair Costs: What You Should Expect to Pay

Whether you're commuting to work, off-roading or zipping around a race track, you want a smooth ride and excellent handling from your vehicle. Your vehicle's suspension system is responsible for delivering just that.

The suspension is a series of springs and energy-absorbing dampers designed to keep the cabin ride smooth, while also maximizing friction between the tires and the road. A healthy suspension keeps the cabin from bouncing, reduces wear and tear on your vehicle's body, ensures proper steering and brake function and keeps your tires wearing evenly.

While car suspension repair costs can be steep—especially if you have an expensive vehicle or need new shocks—fixing your suspension quickly can keep the problem from spreading.

The average cost to repair a car's suspension system can range between $1,000 and $5,000. But if only certain components need replacing, you might spend less than that.

Think of the suspension system as a buffer between the road and your car's cabin. To keep bumps or potholes from rattling passengers and the car's body, the suspension absorbs energy. It also allows the cabin and the tires to move in relation to each other. That way, your tires maintain contact with the road, while the cabin maintains a relatively smooth ride.

To do that, the suspension system uses springs, shock absorbers, bars, joints and other parts. Tires are part of the suspension, too.

Below, we break down some of the most common suspension components, why they may need to be repaired, and the price you can expect to pay.

Average repair cost: $806-904
Shock absorbers, more commonly known simply as shocks, are hydraulic, oil-filled cylinders that minimize bouncing by absorbing impact. Struts are similar, but they combine the cylinder and coil spring into one piece. In general, older vehicles have shocks and newer ones have struts; some have both. But the job is the same: to keep the tires in contact with the road and absorb impact from reaching the vehicle's cabin.

Signs of trouble: Since shocks and struts are under constant strain, they're often the first part of the suspension system to fail. If your shocks and struts aren't working right, you might notice:

• A bouncy feel to your car
• Less control while turning corners
• Noises when you go over a bump or turn
• Leaking oil from the cylinders

Average repair cost: $580-$650
Coil springs hold the weight of the car's body, essentially connecting it to the suspension system. Most vehicles have four coil springs—one near each wheel. The springs allow the tires to travel up or down over bumps in the road without impacting the cabin. It's rare for coil springs to fail, but you might need to replace them after a car accident or other severe damage. Some people also replace coil springs to customize a vehicle by lifting or lowering it.

Signs of trouble: If a coil spring goes, you'll notice right away. Signs include:

• The vehicle sagging in one corner
• Very bad handling
• Extremely bouncy ride
• Noise and rattling
• Uneven tire wear

Average repair cost: $245-$302
Control arms connect the front tires to the body of the vehicle and allow tires to move up and down over even spots in the road. Most vehicles have upper and lower control arms on each front wheel; if you have rear independent suspension, you'll have control arms in the back, too. Bushings are part of the control arm designed to absorb vibration and let the wheel pivot.

Signs of trouble: Bushings are wearing parts, so you can expect to replace them over time. In some vehicles, the bushings attach directly to the control bar, so you'll have to replace the entire bar, making for a more expensive fix. Signs that bushings need a replacement include:

• Squeaking when you go over bumps
• Metal-on-metal sound when you hit bumps
• Uneven tire wear
• Car pulling to one side

Average repair cost: $248-$339
Ball joints are critical because they hold the whole front suspension together. They connect the suspension to the steering, giving you control over the vehicle while also letting the suspension move to absorb bumps. Ball joints consist of a metal ball in a container (called a boot) filled with fluid.

Signs of trouble: Get ball joints repaired quickly because you can't steer if they fail completely. Signs that your ball joints might be failing include:

• Knocking or clunking sound when turning or driving over bumps
• Vibrations in the floorboard from that sound
• Wear on the edges or the tire
• Fluid leaking from the ball joint boot

Average repair cost: $103-$143
A sway bar, also known as a stabilization bar, reduces a vehicle's body roll when you take a turn by distributing the car's weight to all four wheels. That's very important because it can reduce the risk of a car rolling over. Most cars have front sway bars, and some also have rear sway bars. While the bar itself doesn't usually need repair, you may need to replace the end links or bushings that help the bar function.

Signs of trouble: Sway bar issues can easily be confused with other suspension concerns. However, it's easy for mechanics to visually inspect a sway bar and determine whether the bar needs attention. Some signs of trouble include:

• Noise when hitting bumps
• More body roll while turning

Average repair cost: $154-$214
Tie rods connect the steering components within the cabin (like the steering wheel) to the mechanisms that control the wheels. Tie rods allow you to control your steering, so they're essential.

Signs of trouble: If your tie rods are loose or need replacement, you might notice:

• Less control and responsiveness in the steering wheel
• Uneven tire wear
• Noises including thuds from the front wheels when you turn

As with any repair, there's a lot of variability in car suspension repair costs. Here are a few factors that can impact how much you'll spend.

Luxury cars and larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs are generally more expensive to repair.

All suspensions aren't built the same. Common suspension systems (like the MacPherson suspension) are fairly simple and thus more affordable to fix. Independent suspensions, usually found on luxury cars, are more complex and therefore more costly.

Replacing suspension parts with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts is often the most expensive repair because these parts are the highest quality. Aftermarket parts are usually more affordable, but they may not be the same quality or a perfect fit for your vehicle.

Expect a chunk of what you'll pay for car suspension repairs to go to labor. This varies widely by region and by shop. Because of that, you should call two or three shops to ask about their labor rates.

If you're replacing more than one component of the suspension system, you'll pay more for parts but may save on labor in the long run because the mechanic is already working under the car. Additional services, like getting an alignment or replacing tires that were worn by a failing suspension system, can also add to your bill.

While suspension repair costs can add up quickly, there are some ways to lower the bill:

• Replace wearing parts. Some parts of the suspension, like bushings, are meant to be replaced regularly. Keeping up with this maintenance can protect the suspension components that are meant to last the lifetime of your car.
• Repair damage quickly. The components of a suspension work together to provide a smooth ride. When one component goes awry, it can put extra stress on other parts of the system, leading to damage.
• Consider aftermarket parts. Talk to your mechanic about the benefits and drawbacks of aftermarket parts. High-quality aftermarket or refurbished parts can save you bundles while still providing a high-quality result.
• Give DIY a try. If you're handy and familiar with DIY auto projects, you can replace some parts of your suspension yourself. Replacing struts and shocks at home is possible and can save you hundreds of dollars.
• Get multiple quotes. As we mentioned, labor rates vary, so be sure to call multiple shops to find the best price.

A functioning suspension can help keep you comfortable and safe on the road. While car suspension repair can add up quickly, getting your suspension fixed promptly can keep the cost down and prevent other issues, like tires that need to be replaced because they were worn unevenly.

The Synchrony Car Care^TM credit card can help you manage the unexpected cost of fixing your suspension, without delaying this essential car repair. Learn more and apply today.