The primary goal of installing an automotive strut is to manage the vehicle’s suspension and maintain proper tire contact with the road surface. While replacing a failed or worn strut assembly is the standard path to restoring ride quality and handling, it is not the only way to achieve a smoother ride or a safer vehicle. Depending on your specific needs, you might choose to address the symptoms of a poor ride rather than replacing the hardware, or you might opt for a service that avoids ownership of new parts entirely.
Can I pay someone else to replace the struts?
Paying a professional mechanic to perform the replacement is the primary alternative to DIY ownership of the parts and the labor. This route involves hiring a shop to source, install, and align the suspension components for you.
Professional installation costs more than purchasing parts alone because you are paying for the shop’s specialized tools, lift, and expertise. This option beats buying and installing the parts yourself if you lack the heavy equipment required to safely compress springs or the specialized alignment tools needed to calibrate the wheels after the work is finished.
This route stops making sense if the labor costs exceed the value of the vehicle or if the shop’s overhead makes the total price significantly higher than the cost of a high-quality aftermarket kit. If you are seeking to save money on a high-mileage vehicle, the labor cost for a full strut replacement may outweigh the benefits of a smoother ride.
Where these choices show up in our reviews
3 reviewed options, $199.47 to $245.44, with the full write-up behind each name.
Detroit Axle Front Struts Suspension Kit Honda Accord
If you own this specific sedan, view our comparison of front struts for Chrysler 300M.
$216.58 price checked August 2026
Detroit Axle Front Struts and Rear Shock Absorbers
$245.44 price checked August 2026
Owners of this classic sedan should look at top rated front struts for Ford Crown Victoria.
Read our full Detroit Axle Front Struts and Rear Shock Absorbers review
Detroit Axle Front Struts for Ford Crown Victoria
$199.47 price checked August 2026
Read our full Front Struts review
Before making a purchase, you should understand the different strut warranty terms.
Is it possible to buy refurbished strut assemblies?
Buying refurbished strut assemblies involves purchasing components that have been inspected, rebuilt, and re-certified by a specialist. These units are often salvaged from late-model vehicles or heavy-duty fleets and then serviced to restore their damping capabilities.
Refurbished options typically cost less than new OEM or aftermarket struts but more than used parts from a salvage yard. This route beats buying new when you need a specific, discontinued part for an older vehicle model where new production has ceased. It provides a middle ground between the risk of a “pull-off” used part and the high cost of new production.
Refurbished options stop making sense when the vehicle’s age makes the long-term reliability of a rebuilt component questionable. If the vehicle is intended for high-stress off-road use or heavy towing, the risk of a refurbished seal or valve failing under load makes a new strut a more reliable choice.
Can I improve ride quality without changing the struts?
Improving ride quality without changing the struts involves addressing the secondary components of the suspension, such as bushings, sway bar links, or shocks. Many drivers experience “loose” handling or noise caused by degraded rubber bushings or worn ball joints rather than the strut’s internal valving.
To better understand your options, learn about the various types of struts.
This route is significantly cheaper than a full strut replacement because it involves smaller, less complex parts. It beats buying new struts if the primary complaint is noise, vibration, or a “clunking” sound during turns, which often points to the mounting hardware rather than the strut itself. Replacing a $20 bushing can often solve a problem that a $300 strut would not fix.
This route stops making sense when the strut’s internal fluid has leaked or the internal piston is seized. If the vehicle is “bottoming out” or the ride feels harsh and bouncy despite new bushings, the strut’s internal damping has failed, and no amount of peripheral maintenance will correct the issue.
Comparison of Strut Alternatives
| Route | Who it suits | Main advantage | Where it breaks down |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Installation | Owners without garage tools or alignment equipment | Guaranteed alignment and safety | High labor costs |
| Refurbished Assemblies | Owners of older/discontinued models | Lower cost than new parts | Variable long-term reliability |
| Peripheral Component Fixes | Drivers with noise or minor handling issues | Lowest cost and easiest fix | Does not fix failed internal damping |
When is buying a new strut the right answer?
Buying a new automotive strut is the correct choice when the vehicle’s safety is compromised by a catastrophic failure of the existing hardware. If the strut is leaking fluid, has a cracked housing, or the vehicle is bottoming out under normal loads, the internal damping and structural integrity are gone.
New struts are also the correct choice when you are changing the vehicle’s intended use, such as moving from a standard commuter setup to a heavy-duty towing or off-road configuration. In these cases, the required spring rates and valving are specific to the new load requirements and cannot be achieved through refurbishing or minor peripheral repairs. If the vehicle is relatively new and still under warranty, purchasing new OEM-spec struts ensures that the vehicle remains compliant with factory safety standards.