How Long Does It Take to Replace Struts?

Is your ride taking longer than usual to stop? Is it oddly bumpier? Well, it’s probably time to change your struts because the symptoms clearly mean they have gone bad. Luckily, you can replace them on your own or get professional help.

So, how long does it take to replace struts?

Typically, it takes a professional mechanic between 1-2 hours to change struts and shocks, although possibly more for certain vehicles. But what about replacing them your own? How long would it take for someone who has only a little mechanical experience to replace their own struts or shocks.

Keep reading to learn how long you can expect it to take along with the general step-by-step process.

How Long Does It Take to Replace Struts?

The time it takes to replace struts and shocks can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the experience level of the person performing the task. Here’s a comparison between a DIYer and a professional mechanic:

DIYer

For a moderately skilled DIYer with the right tools, replacing struts and shocks can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on the vehicle and the individual’s experience. If you’re new to this type of work, it may take longer, as you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the process and take extra precautions to ensure everything is done correctly.

Factors that can affect the time include:

  • Rust or seized bolts, which can be difficult to remove
  • Difficulty accessing the struts or shocks due to vehicle design
  • Lack of proper tools or equipment

Professional Mechanic

A professional mechanic with experience in replacing struts and shocks can typically complete the job much faster, often within 1 to 3 hours. This is simply because they have the expertise, tools, and equipment necessary to work efficiently.

Factors that contribute to a faster professional installation include:

  • Familiarity with the process and vehicle design
  • Access to a lift, which makes it easier to work on the suspension
  • Proper tools and equipment designed for the job
  • Ability to quickly troubleshoot any issues that arise

In general, if you’re not confident in your ability to replace struts and shocks, it’s best to let the pros handle it. This can save you time and give you peace of mind that the work is done correctly. Since having an alignment done afterwards is necessary, you’ll have to plan on professional help at the end no matter what.

See AlsoHow Long Does a Wheel Alignment Take?

The Strut Replacement Process in 10 Steps

Struts and shocks are what hold the suspension together. Driving around with worn-out struts means you are riding nothing less than a ticking time bomb.

Old struts in poor condition are unsafe for you and the vehicle. They can potentially damage expensive suspension parts such as stabilizer bar, ball joints, links, and control arm bushings.

It is much better to replace struts on time than having to spend extra on other damaged components. Not only does this save money but also your time in the long run.

Usually, an intermediate to an expert mechanic can complete the installation process in around 2 hours. If you think you also fall in this category with enough suspension knowledge, it might take you a bit more than about 3 hours, given that you have the essential parts and tools to go through the process.

Let’s see how you can go about it in ten simple steps:

Step 1: Strut Assessment

The first thing you need to do is assess your struts. It is quite simple, so you can do it on your own as well.

Start with visual inspection and if you feel something is off, take your ride for a test drive and actively check for the following symptoms:

  • Extreme sway or bounce on the front end
  • Fluid leakage on the strut side
  • Difficulty controlling the vehicle, especially on bumpy roads and curves
  • Dents or damage to the strut boot
  • Worn out tires showing shallow craters due to excessive bouncing

Any of the above signs clearly indicate something is wrong with the suspension, and it is mostly old struts that cause these.

Step 2: Getting the replacement parts and necessary tools

Worn-out struts either have to be fully replaced or need replacement parts in case only a specific part is causing issues.

As a result, in case of a full replacement, you should look to buy high quality aftermarket struts, including the strut itself, strut boot, strut mount, spring, spring seat insulator, jounce bumper, and bearing plate.

Replacing a strut assembly is relatively easier and saves a lot of time and money. On the other hand, you can get individual parts if you need to replace any specific part. However, this can take more time since you would have to unpack the assembly, replace the part, and repack the assembly.

Step 3: Measure The Camber Angle

Measuring the camber angle is the next step in the strut replacement process. For this, you have to put your vehicle on jack stands before beginning the strut disassembling process. You are recommended to do this one side at a time.

Make sure to put rust penetrant on the strut flange bolts and nuts and leave them to soak. While they are soaking, you must attach an angle gauge to the rotor top and note down the angle so that tires are at the same angle when you put the whole thing together.

Step 4: Remove The End Link

Now it is time to remove the end link of the stabilizer bar. You can do so with the help of the right wrench. Once the end link is out of the strut hole, you can disconnect and remove the wheel speed sensor as well.

Step 5: Remove The Nuts & Bolts

By this time, the rust penetrant must have done its job so you can remove the strut bolts and nuts. To make this a bit easier, apply some elbow grease. However, it will still take some strength.

Step 6: Separate The Knuckle From The Strut

You can separate the knuckle from the strut by using a pry bar. Simply pull it towards yourself until it pops out.

Step 7: Remove The Mount Nuts

I would recommend you use a soft rag or plywood as a precaution before carrying out this step. Once done, remove three out of the four mount nuts.

Step 8: Remove The Old Strut

Once three mount nuts are removed, you must get under the wheel and remove the fourth nut. Once all of them are out, slowly lower the strut onto the soft rag or plywood, you had put underneath.

Step 9: Install The New Strut

To install the new strut, you have to reverse all the steps mentioned above. It is as simple as that. Once everything has been put in place and screwed, check the camber angle to ensure it is right.

Step 10: Align Your Wheels

Getting your wheels aligned after strut replacement is a must.

You or the mechanic you hire can easily carry out all the ten steps somewhere between 2 to 3 hours!

Final Thoughts

Struts or shocks tend to wear out over time as they are regularly working to help improve your control over the vehicle. On average, you should consider replacing struts after driving them for about 80,000 miles.

A huge factor that impacts the longevity of your struts is whether they are hydraulic or gas-pressurized struts. However, this can be more or less dependent on your driving style, conditions, and maintenance habits.

As a result, you should be actively checking the integrity of struts. The simplest way to do this is by bouncing your vehicle and analyzing the response. If the car doesn’t bounce back, your ride needs a strut replacement.

The car driving down upon applying the brakes is also an indication for worn-out struts. You could also check the struts for any leaking fluid. It is also a bad strut symptom that requires a replacement.


See AlsoTransmission Fluid Color Meaning and How to Check

Tim Miller

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