Shock absorber replacement at MotorCar Doctors swaps worn shocks for new ones, in pairs, after we show you photos of what we find. Pairs keep the car handling evenly, and nothing is replaced until you approve it. Most rear shock replacements here run about $350 to $600 for the pair, before the shop supplies fee.
Does a bouncy ride mean you need new shocks?
Often, yes. If your ride has gone bouncy, your front end dives when you brake, or your tires are wearing in odd patches, it is often a sign you need shock absorber replacement. Shocks do not fail all at once. They fade slowly, so most folks do not notice how rough things have gotten until we put the car on the lift and show them. That is why, before we recommend replacing anything, we take photos and walk you through exactly what we found, so you are deciding with the same information we have.
We have been keeping Beaverton and Washington County on the road since 1995. Shock absorber replacement is bread-and-butter suspension work for our ASE-certified techs, and every repair is backed by our warranty on parts and labor.
What does a shock absorber do?
A shock absorber controls how your suspension settles after a bump. Without it working, your springs would keep bouncing the car down the road. Worn shocks do not just make the ride uncomfortable. They let the tires lose contact with the road, which stretches out your stopping distance and wears your tires and the rest of your suspension faster. So this is not a comfort-only repair. It is a safety and a wear item.
What are the signs of bad shocks?
The most common signs are a bouncy ride, a nose that dives when you brake, and a clunk over rough roads. These are the things customers usually notice first:
- The ride feels bouncy or floaty, especially over bumps and dips
- The nose dives when you brake hard, or the rear squats when you accelerate
- The car leans or rocks more than it used to in corners
- Cupped or uneven tire wear
- A clunk or knock over rough roads
- Fluid leaking down the body of the shock
If you have one or more of these, bring it in. You do not need to diagnose it yourself. We will take a look and figure out whether it is actually the shocks, or something else in the suspension wearing out.
Will I see what is wrong before you replace anything?
Yes. Every vehicle that comes in gets a Digital Vehicle Inspection. We photograph the worn components and send them to your phone, so when we say a shock is leaking or worn out, you are looking at the same picture we are. No guessing, no “just trust us.” We tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what is still fine, and we do not recommend a part your car does not need. Once you approve the work, our techs handle the shock absorber replacement, and everything is covered by our warranty on parts and labor.
What does shock replacement cost?
Most rear shock replacements here run about $350 to $600 for the pair, before the shop supplies fee. That range comes from our own recent invoices.
| Shock job | Price range |
|---|---|
| Rear shocks, pair | about $350 – $600 |
| Front shocks | quoted after inspection |
We replace shocks in pairs, both sides of one axle, so the car handles evenly. Some vehicles take pricier shocks and run higher.
Not sure if it is shocks or struts?
People use the words interchangeably, but they are not the same part. A shock is purely a dampener. A strut is a structural piece of the suspension that also holds the spring. Most vehicles use one or the other depending on the design. If your vehicle uses struts, head over to our strut replacement page, and if you are not sure which you have, that is what the inspection is for. Bring it in and we will tell you exactly what is on your car and what it needs.
Shocks are one part of your car’s suspension system. If your ride or handling problems go beyond the shocks, our full suspension repair service covers the rest.
Where can I get shocks replaced in Beaverton?
At MotorCar Doctors Auto Repair in Beaverton, where we have done suspension work since 1995. We serve drivers from Hillsboro, Aloha, Tigard, Tualatin and across Washington County.
- In business in Beaverton since 1995, over 30 years of suspension work
- ASE-certified technicians, including a senior technician who has been with us since 1999
- Digital Vehicle Inspection with photos on every car, so you see what we find
- No upselling. We recommend what the car actually needs, nothing more
- Warranty on all parts and labor
- 697 Google reviews and a 4.7-star average
Noticing a rough or bouncy ride? Call us at 503-626-4810 or request an appointment online for shock absorber replacement. We will take a look, show you what we find, and figure it out together.