Shock Absorber Replacement
Replace worn shock absorbers/struts. Improve ride quality and handling.
Shock Absorber Replacement costs $240–$1,400 AUD in Australia in 2026, parts and labour included. Independent mechanics typically charge 30-40% less than dealers for the same job.
🔧 What Mechanics Don't Tell You
- Labour is the real variable. The same repair can cost 30-50% more at a dealer than an independent, purely on labour rate. Always ask for a written quote with labour hours itemised — if they won't itemise, walk away.
- Aftermarket parts are fine for most jobs. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts carry a 30-60% premium. For non-safety-critical parts (pads, rotors, filters), reputable aftermarket brands (Bosch, Brembo, Sachs) perform identically for a fraction of the price.
- Get 3 quotes — the spread is real. We've seen the same job quoted from $400 to $1,800 across Brisbane shops. The cheapest quote is not always the best, but neither is the most expensive.
- If they won't itemise, walk away. A reputable mechanic will break down the quote into parts cost + labour hours + markup. If they give you a single round number, get a second opinion.
Cost by Brand (AUD)
| Brand | Total | Labour | Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG | $240-$560 | $120-$280 | $0-$440 |
| Chery | $246-$574 | $120-$290 | $0-$454 |
| Haval | $249-$581 | $120-$290 | $0-$461 |
| BYD | $255-$595 | $130-$300 | $0-$465 |
| GWM | $255-$595 | $130-$300 | $0-$465 |
| LDV | $264-$616 | $130-$310 | $0-$486 |
| Suzuki | $270-$630 | $140-$320 | $0-$490 |
| Mitsubishi | $276-$644 | $140-$320 | $0-$504 |
| Kia | $279-$651 | $140-$330 | $0-$511 |
| Hyundai | $285-$665 | $140-$330 | $0-$525 |
| Nissan | $294-$686 | $150-$340 | $0-$536 |
| Toyota | $300-$700 | $120-$300 | $150-$350 |
| Honda | $306-$714 | $150-$360 | $0-$564 |
| Mazda | $315-$735 | $160-$370 | $0-$575 |
| isuzu | $315-$735 | $160-$370 | $0-$575 |
| Subaru | $324-$756 | $160-$380 | $0-$596 |
| Jeep | $336-$784 | $170-$390 | $0-$614 |
| Skoda | $345-$805 | $170-$400 | $0-$635 |
| Ford | $345-$805 | $170-$400 | $0-$635 |
| ram | $360-$840 | $180-$420 | $0-$660 |
| renault | $366-$854 | $180-$430 | $0-$674 |
| Volkswagen | $375-$875 | $190-$440 | $0-$685 |
| peugeot | $375-$875 | $190-$440 | $0-$685 |
| lexus | $405-$945 | $200-$470 | $0-$745 |
| volvo | $420-$980 | $210-$490 | $0-$770 |
| Audi | $450-$1050 | $220-$520 | $0-$830 |
| BMW | $465-$1085 | $230-$540 | $0-$855 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $480-$1120 | $240-$560 | $0-$880 |
| land-rover | $510-$1190 | $260-$600 | $0-$930 |
| porsche | $600-$1400 | $300-$700 | $0-$1100 |
Signs You Need New Shocks
Shocks wear gradually, so the symptoms creep up on you. If you notice two or more of these, have the suspension inspected — worn shocks can add metres to your braking distance.
- ✓Bouncy or floaty ride. The car keeps bouncing after a bump or when you push down on a corner — the damper has lost its resistance.
- ✓Nose dives under braking. The front of the car lurches forward when you brake firmly, lengthening your stopping distance.
- ✓Uneven or cupped tyre wear. Patches of scalloped wear across the tread mean the tyre is bouncing instead of staying planted on the road.
- ✓Body roll in corners. The car leans more than it used to through roundabouts and bends, and feels vague or twitchy at highway speed.
- ✓Fluid leaks on the shock body. Oil or fluid running down the outside of the strut is a clear sign the internal seal has failed.
Strut vs Shock Absorber — What's the Difference?
People use the terms interchangeably, but they are different parts with different price tags:
| Shock Absorber | Strut | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Damper only — controls spring bounce | Damper + coil spring + steering pivot in one unit |
| Structural? | No — the spring is separate | Yes — holds up the suspension and steering |
| Typical cost (fitted) | $280-$700 per pair | $370-$745 per strut |
| Wheel alignment after? | Usually not needed | Required — the strut affects steering geometry |
| Labour time | 1.5-3 hrs per pair | 2-4 hrs per pair |
Most modern cars use struts at the front and shocks at the rear. If your front suspension needs work, budget for a wheel alignment afterwards, and consider a full strut replacement if the springs or top mounts are tired.
DIY vs Professional Replacement
DIY at home
- ✓About 4 hours for a pair with hand tools.
- ✓Parts only: roughly $150-$350 per pair.
- ✓Saves $150-$400 in labour.
- ✗Requires a spring compressor — dangerous without the right gear.
- ✗Still need a shop wheel alignment afterwards if you touch struts.
Professional mechanic
- ✓Total $280-$700 per pair, parts and labour.
- ✓1.5-3 hours shop time, often same-day.
- ✓Warranty on parts and labour, plus inspection of mounts and bushes.
- ✓Wheel alignment done in the same visit if needed.
Bottom line: rear shocks are a realistic DIY job if you have stands and a torque wrench. Front struts need a spring compressor — most home mechanics leave that to a shop, since the alignment cost is unavoidable either way.
Tips
- ✓Replace in pairs (both front or both rear)
- ✓Wheel alignment needed after strut replacement
- ✓Bouncy ride = worn shocks
DIY Estimate
This repair can be done at home in approximately 4 hours. You'll save on labour costs ($120-280 in labour).
You'll still need to buy parts: approximately $0-440 for parts.
Tools You'll Need:
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