How Long Does It Take to Replace a Strut?

Quick Answer

Replacing a strut takes 1–2 hours per strut when performed by a professional mechanic, or 2–4 hours per strut for a DIYer. Most shops replace struts in pairs (both front or both rear), which takes 2–4 hours total. A full four-strut replacement is typically a half-day job at 4–6 hours.

Replacement Time by Scenario

Job Scope	Professional Time	DIY Time	Typical Cost (Parts + Labor)
Single strut	1–2 hours	2–4 hours	$200 – $400
Front pair (2 struts)	2–3 hours	3–5 hours	$400 – $800
Rear pair (2 struts)	1.5–2.5 hours	3–5 hours	$350 – $700
All four struts	4–6 hours	6–10 hours	$700 – $1,400

Time by Vehicle Type

The complexity of strut replacement varies significantly by vehicle design.

Vehicle Type	Time Per Strut	Difficulty	Notes
Compact car (Civic, Corolla)	45 min – 1.5 hr	Easy	Good access, lightweight components
Midsize sedan (Camry, Accord)	1 – 1.5 hr	Easy–Moderate	Standard bolt-on design
Full-size sedan (Avalon, Impala)	1 – 2 hr	Moderate	Heavier components
Compact SUV (RAV4, CR-V)	1 – 2 hr	Moderate	Similar to sedans but slightly heavier
Full-size SUV (Tahoe, Explorer)	1.5 – 2.5 hr	Moderate–Difficult	Larger, heavier assembly
Luxury vehicle (BMW, Mercedes)	1.5 – 3 hr	Difficult	Electronic dampers, specialized tools
Truck with front struts	1.5 – 2.5 hr	Moderate	May require removing additional components

Strut Replacement Process

Step	Time (Professional)	Time (DIY)
Lift vehicle and remove wheel	5–10 min	10–20 min
Disconnect sway bar end link	5–10 min	10–15 min
Disconnect brake line bracket	2–5 min	5–10 min
Remove steering knuckle bolts	10–15 min	15–30 min
Remove upper strut mount bolts	5–10 min	10–20 min
Remove old strut assembly	5–10 min	10–15 min
Install new strut (or compress spring and swap)	10–20 min	20–40 min
Reconnect all components	15–20 min	20–30 min
Torque all fasteners to spec	5–10 min	10–15 min
Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle	5–10 min	10–15 min

Quick Struts vs. Traditional Replacement

Method	Description	Time Savings	Cost Difference
Quick strut (complete assembly)	Pre-assembled unit with spring, mount, and strut	30–60 min faster per strut	$50 – $100 more per strut
Traditional (spring swap)	Compress spring from old strut, transfer to new strut	Requires spring compressor	Lower parts cost

Quick struts (also called loaded struts) are the preferred option for most DIYers and many shops because they eliminate the dangerous step of compressing the coil spring. A spring compressor failure can cause serious injury.

Tools Required for DIY Replacement

Tool	Purpose	Approximate Cost
Floor jack and jack stands	Safely lift and support vehicle	$80 – $150
Socket set (metric or SAE)	Remove and install bolts	$30 – $60
Breaker bar	Loosen corroded or high-torque bolts	$15 – $25
Torque wrench	Ensure proper fastener tightness	$25 – $80
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster)	Loosen rusted bolts	$5 – $10
Spring compressor (if not using quick struts)	Compress coil spring for transfer	$30 – $50 (rental available)

After Replacement

A wheel alignment is required after strut replacement. The alignment takes an additional 45–60 minutes and typically costs $75–$125. Skipping the alignment will cause uneven tire wear and poor handling. Most shops include alignment in strut replacement packages.