Your suspension is what ensures a smoother driving experience. It’s what helps the car remain stable on bumpy roads and other uneven surfaces.
The suspension is located in the car’s chassis. The suspension is made from shock absorbers, springs, struts, bearings, ball joints, and linkages.
Is your car having suspension problems? Chances are, you need to get a suspension repair before matters get worse.
As such, you shouldn’t postpone getting your suspension repaired or replaced.
But what’s the suspension repair cost? What determines your overall cost of repair or replacement?
Here’s what you need to know about the cost of car suspension repair:
What’s the Make and Model?
As a general rule, the latest model of any car will always cost more for paying the cost of suspension repair.
Even a minor upgrade such as the 2021 Toyota Camry vs the 2020 Toyota Camry can increase the cost of suspension repair. You can also expect higher rates on SUVs and on luxury vehicles.
You can expect a higher suspension repair charge on trucks. Trucks are among the most dangerous vehicles to drive with damaged suspension.
While older cars are generally cheaper, there is one caveat. If you have an antique or secondhand car with rust or grime, it’ll take longer for the mechanic to repair the suspension.
You can expect that they’ll add a surcharge to your bill because of the extra time.
The Cost of Parts
The next step is to look at the cost of parts to repair or replace the suspension.
As a general rule, you’ll have to pay for pairs of each item such as two bearings, two springs, etc.
Even if one part is in mint condition your mechanic will still want to replace it. If you only replace one part, then the weight of the car will overstress the new parts.
As such, to ensure stability you want to make sure that parts are always replaced in pairs.
The mechanic will also likely recommend the best brands for the parts which will also hike up the costs. As a general rule, you should take the mechanic’s advice and never settle for cheaper brands.
These cheaper brands can still be effective but might get worn out much faster.
The more expensive brands will also use higher-quality materials for parts. Most parts within the suspension are made of aluminum or magnesium.
Car Insurance
You want to make sure you find a car insurance provider that offers generous coverage for repairs and maintenance.
If you’re lucky, your car insurance can cover a significant portion of your suspension repair cost. At best, it’ll cover 100% of the total costs.
When looking for your car insurance policy, focus on one that works for the model and make of your car.
For example, you might need a car insurance policy that focuses on newer cars. There might also be car insurance policies that work on bigger sedans, SUVs, and trucks.
If you have an older or antique car, find out if the car insurance policy can cover costs for such vehicles. These vehicles might require rare parts that are far pricier than most suspension parts.
Choosing Your Mechanic
Your pricing will also depend on the mechanic whom you choose. If you have a few garages near you, make sure you research them before settling on one.
Your first step should be to take your car to them to get a quote. Keep a note of each quote so you can compare them later. However, you shouldn’t only choose a mechanic based on their pricing.
The next step is to look for testimonials online for each garage. For example, a mechanic that charges more might have higher-quality service and parts.
But do they have continuous negative feedback? Are there complaints about the customer service?
This likely means that that they might have the best parts but don’t provide the best service.
The General Suspension Repair Cost
Now let’s look at some of the general price ranges you can expect for your suspension repair.
Let’s start with repairing shock absorbers and struts. These are what reduces friction when you drive on rougher terrain. It prevents your car from pulling in an unwanted direction.
As a general rule, you should have your shock absorbers and struts inspected every 50,000 miles.
You can expect to pay a minimum of $1,400 for a full set of shock absorbers and struts. With newer cars, expect this to go upwards of $2,000.
Next, ball joints help connect the tires and wheels to the suspension system. Your vehicle might have frontal ball joints only while others will have rear ball joints as well.
You can expect to pay at least $200 per ball joint. A set of 4 ball joints can start at $1,000.
The springs make it easier for the car to remain stable when driving on rough terrain.
You can expect to pay at least $400 for a spring repair. For springs, your mechanic will assess how many need replacing and if any can remain as is.
Bring Your Car in Today
Now that you know what determines the suspension repair cost, you can take your car for fixing your suspension. At worst, you can expect to replace your entire suspension system.
If you notice any issues with your suspension, start researching your local mechanics. Find out what they charge and the quality of their service.
Make sure you don’t postpone taking your car for suspension repair or replacement. It’s best to keep your car at your home until you’re ready to take it to the garage.
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