Shock Absorber & Strut Replacement
Shock absorbers and struts control how fast the springs move. When they wear out the car keeps bouncing after a bump, dives under braking and takes longer to stop. A strut is also a structural part that locates the wheel, so replacing it is a larger job than swapping a plain shock.
From AED 699per axle pairWritten quote after diagnosis, before work startsConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- 3-6 hours per axle
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
Signs you need shock absorber & strut replacement
- The car keeps bouncing after a speed bump instead of settling
- The nose dives sharply when you brake
- Body roll in corners feels worse than before
- Oil or damp greasy residue on the shock body
- A thud or knock from the top of the strut over bumps
- Tyres worn in a scalloped or cupped pattern
What usually causes it
Worn damper internals
Inside each shock a piston pushes oil through small valves to slow the spring. Over tens of thousands of kilometres the seals and valves wear, and the damper stops controlling the spring properly.
Leaking seal
Oil weeping down the shock body means the rod seal has failed and the damper has lost fluid. A slightly damp shock can be normal, but a wet one with dirt stuck to it should be replaced.
Failed strut top mount or bearing
On a strut, the top mount holds it to the body and allows the strut to turn with the steering. When the rubber splits or the bearing wears, you hear a knock or groan when steering at low speed.
Broken or collapsed spring or bump stop
A snapped coil spring drops one corner of the car and can damage the tyre. A crumbled rubber bump stop lets the shock bottom out, which is the thud you hear on a big bump.
How we do shock absorber & strut replacement
- 1
Test and inspect
We bounce each corner, look for leaks and play, and road test for dive, roll and noise. Dampers wear gradually, so the driver often does not notice how far the ride has changed.
- 2
Replace in axle pairs
Shocks and struts are changed in pairs on the same axle, because a new damper beside an old one makes the car handle unevenly. A strut is removed as a unit, and the spring is compressed safely with a spring tool.
- 3
New mounts, boots and bump stops
We fit the dust boot and bump stop supplied in the kit and replace top mounts that are worn. Reusing a cracked boot lets dirt cut the new seal, shortening the life of the new part.
- 4
Alignment and road test
A strut replacement can shift the alignment, so we check it afterwards and set it if needed. A final road test over a bump and under braking confirms the ride has been restored.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Dampers here work through more repetitive speed bumps than in most cities, and sustained heat is hard on their seals and rubber mounts. Carrying a full car of passengers or luggage on a long trip to Abu Dhabi or Fujairah shows weak dampers up immediately.
Questions about shock absorber & strut replacement
How long should shock absorbers last?
There is no fixed distance, because it depends on the road and the load. As a rule, wear becomes noticeable after several tens of thousands of kilometres, and many cars here need them earlier because of speed bumps and heat.
Do I need to replace both front or both rear shocks?
Yes. The two dampers on an axle should match, otherwise the car pulls and rolls unevenly. We do front or rear as an axle set, and you decide whether to do both axles at once.
What is the difference between a shock and a strut?
A shock only damps the spring. A strut does that and also holds the wheel in position, and it usually comes with the spring seat and top mount, so it is a more involved job than a basic shock.
Will new shocks change how the car feels?
Yes, if the old ones were worn. The car settles quickly, feels more stable on the highway and brakes in a straighter line. It should feel like it did when new, not harder.
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