Shock Absorber Reviews and Buying Guide:

We've all been in cars with bad shocks, you know the feeling when every bump in the road feels like your insides are getting jolted around. Shock absorbers can really make a huge difference on how a car drives. Four wheel drive trucks have heavy duty shocks since they are meant for offroad use where the roads are not level and it's expected that you drive through ruts and holes. The average vehicle on the road (4 door sedan) will often need new shocks after about 75,000 miles or so. I've seen some cars need shocks after just 50K miles but that was due to driving on rough roads consistently. The good news is that buying new shocks for your car isn't going to break your bank. Some mechanics will even go so far as to tell you that replacing old shocks on a car or truck is a "moderate" job for DIY types. I'm no car expert so I'd rather leave those duties to a certified professional. Labor will probably be your biggest expense when getting new shock absorbers. You can save a few bucks by ordering your parts online or buying them at an automotive store and then taking them to the mechanic.

Choosing a Shock Absorbers - I own 3 cars, a 2002 Chevy Tahoe, a 1997 Mercedes E420, and a 2002 Mercedes S430. I just recently got rid of an older 1993 Saturn SL2 in which the shocks needed to be replaced after about 80,000 miles. I am currently looking at shock absorbers for the 97 Mercedes and the 02 Tahoe. Types - You will find twin-tube shocks, coil-over shocks, gas/pressurized shocks, mono-tube (single wall) shocks, bypass shocks, and air shocks. They are all designed to at least do the basics of keeping your suspension springs from moving up and down constantly. They should dampen or absorb the vibrations that are caused by rough or uneven roadways. The twin tube shocks are the most common and best used for the average driver. If you do more off-road driving or even trail running, consider the mono-tube or gas pressurized shock absorbers. The high end bypass shocks or reservoir shocks are meant for serious high speed action and extreme off-road conditions. For the average consumer looking to buy shocks consider brands like Monroe, Rancho, KYB, Bilstein, and KONI. Where to Buy - You can find shocks and struts at Strutmasters, Auto Parts Warehouse, 4 Wheel Parts, AutoZone, Amazon, Les Schwab, Big O Tires and even Sears Auto Centers. If you are unsure of what to get, check with the manufacturer of your vehicle and they will usually guide you to the correct fit. Also, mechanics at your local auto shop should be able to steer you in the right direction. RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com (yes they have a huge auto parts section) since they carry all the big name brands, have competitive pricing, and let you read dozens of owner reviews. Make an informed buying decision and save a few $$'s. You can browse the best selling shocks and struts online here.

Best Shock Absorbers:
RECOMMENDED - Monroe Shocks are certainly one to consider. Their prices range from $50 to $100 for their basic shocks. You will often find shocks sold in pairs, it's best to replace both the front or back at the same time - similar to buying new tires. Check with your auto repair shop and see what they charge for shock absorbers. Ask them what brand and part # they would use on your car and then do some price comparisons online to see if you can get a better deal. Order online if possible and then take them in with your car to get it worked on. The Monroe MA822 Max-Air Air Shock Absorber - Pair of 2 are a popular choice for $60. They will definitely provide your car with a smooth and comfortable ride. If you haul big loads or tow things like trailers, these shocks will do the trick with your suspension. We found in consumer reviews that the Monroe shocks are easy to install (ranged from 30 minutes to 2 hours). If you have the time and the know how, then go for it. Otherwise, let the professional mechanics handle it.

Shock Absorbers Cost:

How Much Do Car Shock Absorbers Cost? We found that shocks range from $40 to $100 each - which means that if you are replacing all 4 shocks - the total for parts could run $400. If you need to replace the struts, you are looking at an additional $400 to $1000 in parts alone. The air suspension shocks found in luxury cars are roughly $1000/each so that bill is going to set you back a lot. Now for labor. The labor charges for mechanics can vary from $60 to $100 an hour and the typical time it takes to install new shocks goes from 1 1/2 to 4 hours. So best case scenario you are looking at $90 in labor but most likely upwards of $200 to $300. After the shocks or struts are replace, it is a good idea to get your alignment done (another $90 or so). Of course if you can do the labor yourself, then the cost of replacement shocks comes down considerably.

Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.

Review and Internet Guide Index:
Computers and Internet:
- Amazon Kindle Review
- Best Selling Wireless Routers

Household/DIY:
- Replacing a Furnace
- Most Popular Bread Makers

Cars and Automobiles

Audio/Video Electronics
- Best 50" LCD TVs
- What is Tivo and how does it work?

Top-Rated Digital Cameras and Photos:
- Top HD Video Cameras
- Buying a Digital SLR Camera

Entertainment/Hobbies

Health & Fitness:
- Teeter Inversion Tables
- Recumbent Exercise Bikes

Travel
- Disneyland Hotel Guide
- Hotels and Lodging
- Top 10 Things to Do in New York

Sports and Outdoors

Send email to: galtemail (@) yahoo.com
Copyright (C) 1995-2012 Galt Technology, Inc. Terms of Use Privacy Statement