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Home/Services/Shock absorber replacement
Suspension and steering
Shock absorber replacement in Helsinki
We replace front and rear shock absorbers on passenger cars and small vans. Worn shock absorbers gradually weaken the car’s handling, stability and suspension performance. We recommend replacing shock absorbers on the same axle in pairs.
Allow a whole day for the jobReplacing the front shock absorbers usually takes 2.5–3 hours. It is best to bring the car in the morning and leave it with us – waiting on site does not make sense.
- Front shocks, labour 212.50–255 €
- Rear shocks, labour from 85 €
- Rubbers at the same time – no extra work
- Four-wheel alignment if needed 79 €
212.50–255 €
Replacing two front shock absorbers, labour (2.5–3 h × 85 €/h). Parts are charged separately.
Example of the total price
Front shock absorbers, passenger carquality shock absorbers + dust boots and bump stops + labour
usually 400–550 €
Parts and labour in total. Four-wheel alignment if needed +79 €. The exact price depends on the car model and the parts – send us the registration number and we will calculate the price for your car.
✓ Included in the work
- removing the strut from the car
- compressing the spring with a spring compressor and dismantling the strut
- replacing the shock absorber
- checking the condition of the top mounts and bearings
- reassembling the strut and refitting it
× Not included in the price
- parts: shock absorbers, dust boots, bump stops
- replacing the top mounts and bearings, if their condition requires it
- four-wheel alignment, if the car’s design requires it (79 €)
Other prices
Rear shock absorbers, pair
85–255 €labour
When the rear shock absorber is separate from the spring, the replacement takes about 1–1.5 h. If there is a strut at the rear, the work can take 2–3 h.
Four-wheel alignment
79 €when needed
After replacing the front shock absorbers, an alignment may be needed depending on the car’s design.
Prices include VAT at 25.5%.
When do shock absorbers need replacing?
Replacement may be due if you notice any of these:
- a clear oil leak on the shock absorber
- the car bounces more than normal after bumps
- the suspension feels too soft or unstable
- there are knocks or other noises from the suspension
- the fault was found at the inspection or during a chassis inspection
If you are not sure of the cause of the fault, start with a chassis inspection (20 €).
Warranty condition
Torn dust boots and bump stops are replaced at the same time
Without intact rubbers, a new shock absorber can be damaged faster, and the warranty does not cover the fault in that case.
Dust bootProtects the shock absorber rod from dirt, sand, salt and moisture.
Bump stopProtects the shock absorber from impacts at the end of the suspension travel.
No extra workThe rubbers are replaced during the same dismantling, so replacing them does not usually require extra work.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it worth replacing shock absorbers in pairs?
The properties of a shock absorber deteriorate gradually with use. If only one is replaced, the new and the old one can work quite differently.
A difference in damping affects how the car behaves over bumps, its stability when braking and how the suspension works in corners. That is why we always recommend replacing shock absorbers on the same axle in pairs.
Is it worth choosing more expensive shock absorbers?
Yes. Quality shock absorbers last longer and are more reliable. The cheapest ones often last the warranty period, but not much longer.
Finnish conditions put more strain on suspension parts than, for example, in Central Europe: cold winters, warm summers, large temperature swings and road salt in winter. Quality parts last clearly longer here than budget parts, because quality manufacturers also test their parts in conditions like these – budget manufacturers do not.
Can the springs be replaced at the same time?
Yes – when the spring and shock absorber are in the same strut, as is usually the case at the front. Because the strut is dismantled anyway, the extra work for replacing the spring is usually small. At the rear, springs and shock absorbers are often separate, in which case replacing the springs is a different job and priced separately. It makes sense especially if the springs are old, rusted or high-mileage.
See spring replacement.
Do the top mounts and bearings need replacing?
They are always checked when the strut is dismantled and replaced if needed based on their condition. The rubber parts wear and compress, and the bearings can start to stick because of corrosion or dirt. Once the strut has been dismantled, replacing them does not usually add significant extra work.
On some cars the replacement is practically essential: for example, on Volkswagen, Škoda and SEAT models from around 2010 the top mount bolts often break during dismantling and reconditioning the mount does not make sense – in that case the mount is replaced anyway.
Is a four-wheel alignment needed after the replacement?
After replacing the front shock absorbers an alignment may be needed, especially if parts that affect the wheel angles are removed during the work. The need depends on the suspension design of the car.
After replacing separate rear shock absorbers, the wheel angles do not usually need adjusting.
Request a quote for shock absorber replacement
We choose suitable parts and estimate the price of the work. Tell us:
- the car’s registration number
- whether the front or rear shock absorbers are being replaced
- any inspection report or a description of the fault
Call 050 599 0357 (Mon–Fri 9–17)
or message us on WhatsApp or email asiakaspalvelu@primpex.fi