What It Covers
Shocks & Struts Replacement
Restore ride comfort, steering control and braking distance with fresh suspension.
Worn shocks don't just make the ride floaty — they lengthen your stopping distance and chew through tires. If the car keeps bouncing after a bump or nose-dives under braking, the dampers are done.
Shocks, struts, mounts and springs, with an alignment check afterwards so the new parts don't ruin a set of tires.
Symptoms worth bringing in
- The car keeps bouncing after a bump instead of settling once
- The nose dives under braking, or the body leans heavily in corners
- A clunk or knock over bumps, especially one that appeared after a pothole
- Cupped or scalloped tire wear, often with a rhythmic hum
- Steering that feels vague, wandering or loose
- Visible oil weeping down the body of a shock or strut
What's Included
- Shock and strut replacement
- Strut mount and bearing service
- Coil spring replacement
- Suspension noise diagnosis
- Post-repair alignment check
What Happens In The Bay
- 01The car goes on the lift and we check every suspension and steering component for play — shocks, struts, mounts, bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends.
- 02Tire wear patterns are read alongside it, because cupping is usually the dampers and a feathered edge is usually alignment. They point at different repairs.
- 03We identify which components are actually worn rather than replacing a full corner as a default.
- 04Worn parts are replaced first and the alignment is measured afterwards — in that order, because aligning a car with worn bushings will not hold and the money is wasted.
- 05You get the before and after alignment readings so you can see what actually moved.
What Waiting Costs
Worn dampers lengthen stopping distance, which is a safety issue rather than a comfort one. They also cup tires, so a suspension problem you defer arrives later as a set of tires plus the suspension work you were always going to need.
What Affects The Price
- Suspension diagnostics start at $65, and wheel alignment starts at $125
- Shocks or struts — a strut assembly is a larger job than a shock absorber
- How many corners are actually worn, which the inspection determines
- Whether mounts, bearings or springs need replacing alongside the dampers
- Whether corroded hardware has to be cut off, which is common on older Ohio cars
Pricing varies car to car. Call the shop with your year, make and model for a firm quote, or see starting prices for common jobs.
How Long It Takes
Most shock and strut work is completed the same day, with the alignment done afterwards before the car goes back to you.
Driving Conditions Around Columbus
Columbus suspension work is largely a pothole story. The freeze-thaw cycle opens holes across Franklin County every February and March, and the damage rarely announces itself — the car feels normal for a week or two, and the first real symptom is a set of tires wearing out early. If you have taken a hard hit, having it checked before the tires pay for it is the cheap version.
What Customers Say About This Job
“Had an appointment to get suspension looked at. Everything was on time and everyone i interacted with was extremely nice and knowledgeable.”
Common Questions
- How do I know if my shocks are actually worn?
- The classic test is to push down hard on one corner and let go — a healthy damper settles in one rebound, a worn one keeps bouncing. Cupped tire wear and nose-diving under braking are the other reliable signs.
- Do shocks and struts have to be replaced in pairs?
- Across an axle, yes, generally. Fitting one new damper against one worn one gives the two sides different damping, which affects how the car behaves under braking and in corners.
- I hit a pothole. What should I check?
- Look for a bulge on the tire sidewall — that means replace it today. Then check whether the steering wheel still sits straight, whether the car pulls, and whether there is a new clunk over bumps. Any of those is worth an inspection.
- Do I need an alignment after suspension work?
- Yes, and it has to come after the parts, not before. Alignment is set with the suspension in one position, and worn components let it move somewhere else as soon as you drive off.
More On This From The Workshop
Book Shocks & Struts Replacement In Columbus
We're at 2608 Sullivant Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43204, serving the Columbus metro. Call the shop with your year, make and model and we'll tell you what it takes.