How Much Does It Cost to Repair Truck Suspension?

Trying to find out what to expect when you have potential suspension issues with your heavy-duty truck can be frustrating, and there’s a lot of vague information out there. We’re going to look at what it’s going to cost you to get your suspension fixed, and what a worst-case scenario bill might be. We’ll also look at common components that might be to blame, and the symptoms that indicate you probably have an issue.

What is the Suspension System?

The suspension system on your truck is what keeps the friction between your tires and the road surface optimized. The truck’s suspension is also what provides stability and handling when maneuvering. It helps the truck’s tires, driver, and load to more easily deal with changes in road surface conditions, such as potholes, cracks, bumps, gentle curves, and sharp bends. 

What is the Cost of Truck Suspension Repairs?

The cost of repairing your heavy-duty truck’s suspension will depend on two primary variables, the first being the extent of the damage or repairs needed, and the second being where the truck is repaired. 

Depending on the components that need to be repaired or replaced, suspension repairs can be relatively expensive. This is particularly true when suspension damage is bad enough that surrounding body or frame components have been damaged. If this has happened, these components will need to be repaired before the new suspension components can be installed. 

Where you have your truck’s suspension repaired will also figure heavily into the price. Going to an expert local truck shop may cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 to get back on the road, with a large portion of those repairs being closer to $1,000 to $1,500 to replace most parts. If you take your truck to a dealer, on the other hand, you may pay 50% to 75% more. This is why finding a reliable local mechanic is vital.

Common Suspension Components That Need Replacement

There are a lot of parts that operate in unison to keep that rubber on the road, shiny-side up. Here are some of the various suspension components that commonly need to be replaced:

• Shocks & Struts
• Coil Springs
• Bushings
• Ball Joints
• Bearings
• Control Arms
• Mounts

Factors That Can Affect the Repair Cost

There are many minor factors that might affect repair costs, the most significant of which is the severity of the damage. Routine inspections may reveal minor issues that can be repaired for incredibly modest costs here and there, but neglecting inspections can lead to more extensive damage that costs considerably more to repair. This also goes for damage that is the result of abnormal vehicle operation, which can be as unpredictable as the circumstances that caused the damage initially.

How to Keep Your Truck’s Suspension in Good Shape

“Routine maintenance” is the name of the game when it comes to keeping your truck’s suspension in good shape. Having your suspension system periodically inspected can help ensure that all components are in good condition and properly aligned. This also helps diagnose potential problems early on, which helps keep the repair costs more manageable. Visually inspect your truck for worn or oily components, and try to get a professional to look at the suspension system about every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

How to Tell If Your Truck’s Suspension Needs Repair

There are many ways that an experienced technician can determine if particular suspension components need to be replaced, but knowing what the symptoms are can help you to identify problems as soon as possible. Here are some of the common ways that you can tell your suspension is in need of some professional attention.

1 – Decreased Ride Quality

One of the biggest signs that the suspension on your truck needs some attention is that your ride quality will go down considerably. This can make it feel like you’re driving a truck with square wheels, resulting in even the smoothest highways feeling like driving on the surface of the moon. This is often the result of damaged or worn shocks and struts.

The shocks and struts are suspension components designed to deaden the feeling of the wheels bouncing on every crack and bump in the road. If you are starting to feel a lot more of the bumps in the road, it’s probably time to reach out to a local professional about getting your truck’s suspension repaired.

2 – Unstable Body

One of the major jobs of the suspension system of your truck is to keep the truck body stable during operation, especially during changes in speed or while turning. If you feel excess movement in your truck’s body during acceleration, deceleration, or turning, it’s a good sign that you’ll need to get your rig into a local shop to have the suspension checked out.

Another way you can tell if your shocks or struts are excessively worn and unable to properly support your truck is by doing the “bounce test.” This is a simple way to see if there is too much movement in your shocks or struts, and you can do it in just a few seconds on your way through a parking lot. Just push down on the front of your truck a few times, then stop. If your front end continues to bounce, it’s probably time for some repairs or new components.

3 – Lowered Frame

If your truck seems to be riding a lot lower lately, it may be time to have your suspension investigated. In some cases, there will be multiple failures that need to be addressed, leading to a truck with a lower overall height. In other situations, you may notice that a single spring is damaged or broken, causing a single corner or side of the truck to sag. Seeing that your truck is riding much lower than it ordinarily does can be a perfect opportunity to discuss your suspension needs with a local suspension repair expert.

4 – Uneven Tire Wear

A common sign of damaged or misaligned suspension that truckers will often notice is uneven wear patterns on their tires. There are even different wear patterns that can be identified, such as scallops, spots, patches, and strips, which can indicate different problems or the failure of specific suspension components. If you notice your tires are developing an irregular wear pattern, it’s time to talk to a local suspension expert about getting your truck looked at.

5 – Oily Shocks

Shocks are filled with fluid that helps them to operate smoothly, and one of the reasons they need to be replaced is that the seals go bad and all of the fluid leaks out. However, before they completely go out, there will often be an oily residue on the cylinders themselves, which indicates the shocks are going bad. If you notice your shocks look oilier or dirtier than usual, get into a shop as soon as possible so that you can address the problem before it worsens.

Trust Blaine Brothers With Your Truck’s Suspension Needs

If you drive a heavy-duty truck and your suspension needs attention, partnering with a local expert in the Minnesota-Wisconsin area can help you get back on the road quickly and without needless expense. Reach out to Blaine Brothers today to find out how we can help you smooth out that bumpy ride!