Shocks and struts control the movement of the suspension so the tires stay in contact with the road. When they wear out the car floats, nose dives under braking and takes longer to stop. AutoTech Clinic replaces shocks and struts at our shop on Michigan Ave in Dearborn.
Worn struts are a braking problem as much as a comfort problem. A tire that is bouncing is not gripping, and stopping distances on wet or uneven pavement get noticeably longer.
- How Long
- About 2 to 4 hours per axle, plus an alignment.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Shocks and Struts
- The car keeps bouncing after you go over a bump
- The nose dives sharply when you brake
- The car leans heavily in corners or sways on the highway
- Cupped or scalloped wear patterns on the tires
- Oily fluid running down the body of a shock or strut
- A clunk from the top of the strut over bumps
What We Do
- 01
Inspect for Leaks and Damage
We look for fluid on the body, damaged dust boots, collapsed bump stops and bent components from pothole damage.
- 02
Bounce and Road Test
We test how quickly the body settles and road test over known bumps, because a worn strut shows itself in motion rather than standing still.
- 03
Check the Mounts and Bearings
Strut mounts and bearings cause clunks and binding steering, and they are the parts people most often skip.
- 04
Replace in Pairs
We replace shocks and struts across an axle so the car is balanced side to side. A new strut on one side and a worn one on the other makes handling unpredictable.
- 05
Align Afterward
Replacing struts changes camber on most vehicles, so an alignment afterward is part of doing the job properly.
Why Worn Struts Make Braking Worse
A strut keeps the tire pressed against the road. When it can no longer control the spring, the wheel bounces after every ridge and dip, and in each of those moments the tire is carrying less load and generating less grip.
On a rough surface that adds real distance to an emergency stop. It also upsets ABS, because the wheel speeds fluctuate as the tire loads and unloads. That is why we treat worn struts as a safety item and not a ride quality preference.
Complete Assemblies Versus Bare Struts
A complete strut assembly arrives with the spring, mount and bearing already fitted. It costs more as a part and far less in labor, and it replaces the mount and bearing that are usually worn anyway.
A bare strut costs less but requires compressing the spring and reusing your old mount. On an older Michigan vehicle the mount is often rusted and tired, so the saving frequently disappears. We will quote both and explain which we recommend for your car.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Whether complete strut assemblies or bare struts are used
- Strut mounts, bearings and bump stops replaced at the same time
- Vehicles with electronic or adaptive dampers, which cost considerably more
- Rear shocks, which are usually simpler and cheaper than front struts
- The alignment required afterward
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.