Shocks and Struts for Cars, SUVs and Trucks
Shocks and struts control how your vehicle's springs move, and Easy Life Markets sells them as complete strut assemblies, rear shock pairs, air suspension shocks and struts, adaptive damper units and adjustable coilover kits. If your car bounces after bumps, dives hard under braking, leans in corners, leaks oil from a damper or sits low at one corner, this is the place to look.
What should you buy? First find out which your vehicle uses at each axle: a strut, a shock absorber, an air unit or an electronically controlled damper. Then match the vehicle, years, position and part numbers. Our current range covers complete front struts for Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XTS, rear air shocks for Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon, MagneRide rear shocks for Cadillac CTS, a front air strut for Land Rover LR3 and LR4, and coilovers for the 8th generation Honda Accord.
What Shocks and Struts Do
Springs hold the vehicle up and absorb bumps. On their own, springs keep bouncing. A damper turns that movement into heat by pushing oil through small valves inside a tube, so the spring settles quickly. The result is a car that stays in contact with the road, brakes in a straight line and feels calm over rough ground. The shock absorber page on Wikipedia explains the basic principle.
A shock absorber only damps. It does not carry the weight of the car or locate the wheel. A strut does more. It is a damper built into a structural part of the suspension, with the spring seated on it and the top mounted to the body. On the front axle, the strut also forms part of the steering pivot. That is why replacing struts can affect the wheel alignment, while replacing shocks usually does not.
Worn dampers do not fail with a bang. They fade slowly, so most drivers get used to the change. A new set often feels like a different car.
Types of Shocks and Struts
Several designs are in use today. Here is what each one is and where you will find it.
Conventional shock absorbers
A conventional shock is a sealed tube with a piston and oil, mounted between the body and the axle or suspension arm. Twin-tube shocks are common on everyday cars and give a soft ride. Monotube shocks use one tube, often with pressurised gas, and run cooler under hard use. Rear shocks on many SUVs and trucks are conventional units.
Struts and complete strut assemblies
A bare strut is the damper body alone. To fit one, the old spring must be removed with a spring compressor, which is a job that needs care. A complete strut assembly, sometimes called a quick strut, comes with the spring, the top mount and the seat already fitted. You bolt it in as a unit. Our 2016-2023 Malibu front struts and 2013-2019 Explorer front struts are complete strut and coil spring assemblies. The common front design is the MacPherson strut.
Air suspension shocks and struts
Air suspension replaces the steel spring with a rubber air bag, fed by a compressor. It can level the vehicle under load and, on some models, change ride height. An air strut or air shock combines the bag with the damper. When a bag leaks, the vehicle often sits low at one corner after parking, and the compressor runs more than it should. Our range includes the 2015-2020 Escalade rear air shocks, the 2000-2014 Tahoe rear air shocks and the LR3 and LR4 front air suspension strut.
Adaptive and magnetic dampers
Some vehicles use dampers that change their firmness while you drive. Magnetic ride control uses a fluid whose thickness changes with a magnetic field. Other systems use electric valves. These units have a wiring plug and must match the vehicle's system. The Cadillac CTS MagneRide rear shocks and the Cadillac XTS front strut pair with electric connection are examples. Fitting a plain damper to a car built for adaptive units can cause warning lights.
Coilovers
A coilover combines the damper and the coil spring in one adjustable unit. Most let you change ride height, and many let you adjust damping. They suit owners who want a lower stance or a firmer, more controlled feel. Our 2008-2012 Accord coilovers are an adjustable kit for the 8th generation Honda Accord. Adjustable kits need a wheel alignment after fitting and after any height change.
Shocks and Struts Compared
| Type | What it includes | Typical use | Strengths | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorber | Damper only | Rear axles, trucks, SUVs | Simple to replace | Does not carry weight; alignment usually unaffected |
| Bare strut | Damper body | Front axles of many cars | Reuses good springs and mounts | Needs a spring compressor; alignment needed |
| Complete strut assembly | Damper, spring, mount and seat | Front axles of many cars and SUVs | Faster fitting, all new parts | Match side and drive type; alignment needed |
| Air shock or strut | Air bag with damper | Luxury SUVs, large SUVs | Load levelling, comfort | Check compressor and lines when a bag fails |
| Adaptive or magnetic | Damper with wiring | Premium and performance models | Ride changes with conditions | Must match the vehicle's control system |
| Coilover | Adjustable damper and spring | Lowering and handling upgrades | Height and damping adjustment | Alignment needed; firmer ride |
Signs Your Shocks and Struts Are Worn
Dampers wear gradually, so look for these signs rather than waiting for one big symptom:
- Bouncing. The car keeps moving up and down after a bump or a dip.
- Nose dive and squat. The front drops sharply under braking, or the rear sinks when you accelerate.
- Body roll. More lean in corners than you are used to.
- Oil on the damper body. A film of oil running down the tube means the seal has failed.
- Uneven tyre wear. Patchy or scalloped wear can come from a wheel that bounces on the road.
- Knocks and clunks. Often from worn top mounts, bushes or a loose damper fixing.
- One corner sitting low. On air suspension, this usually means a leaking bag or line. On coil springs, a broken spring.
- Warning messages. Air and adaptive systems often show a suspension fault message.
Worn dampers also lengthen stopping distances on rough roads, because a bouncing tyre has less grip. That is why we treat these parts as safety-related.
How to Choose Shocks and Struts
- Vehicle, year and model. Start with the exact model and year range in the listing.
- Front or rear, left or right. Complete struts are often side-specific. Rear shocks are usually the same on both sides.
- Drive type. Front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions can use different struts. Our Explorer struts, for example, are listed for FWD.
- Suspension system. Check whether your vehicle has steel springs, air suspension or adaptive dampers. Look for a wiring plug or an air line at the top of the damper.
- Ride height. Lowered, lifted or heavy duty vehicles may need different parts.
- Part numbers. Compare the numbers on your old parts or in your records with those on the product page.
Not sure? Send your vehicle details through our contact page before ordering.
Replace shocks and struts in axle pairs
Always replace dampers on both sides of an axle together. A new damper on one side and a worn one on the other makes the car handle unevenly. Many of our units are sold as pairs for this reason, including the Malibu, XTS, Escalade, Tahoe and CTS parts.
Fitting Shocks and Struts Safely
Suspension parts are safety-critical. We recommend professional fitting. Strut springs store a lot of energy, and compressing them without the right equipment can cause serious injury. Air suspension systems also need care, as they hold pressure and may need the system deflated or put into a service mode first.
General points a good fitter will follow:
- Support the vehicle on stands, never on a jack alone.
- Tighten rubber-bushed fixings with the suspension at normal ride height, as the service manual describes. Tightening them with the wheel hanging can twist and wear the bush.
- Replace top mounts and bump stops if they are worn, unless they come with a complete assembly.
- Reconnect any electrical plugs and air lines carefully and check for leaks.
- Have a wheel alignment after replacing struts or coilovers.
- Tighten every fixing to the figures in the vehicle's service manual.
Mounts, Bump Stops and Dust Boots
A damper is only as good as the parts that hold it. Several small parts work alongside it, and they wear too.
Top mounts and bearings
The top mount joins the strut to the body. It has a rubber section that soaks up vibration, and on front struts it often has a bearing that lets the strut turn with the steering. A worn mount knocks over bumps. A dry or seized bearing can make the steering feel notchy or creak when you turn at low speed. Complete strut assemblies usually come with a new top mount, which is one reason many owners choose them.
Bump stops
A bump stop is a rubber or foam block on the damper rod. It stops the suspension from bottoming out hard on big impacts. Old bump stops crumble, and the result is a harsh bang over large bumps.
Dust boots
The boot is a bellows that covers the polished damper rod. It keeps grit away from the rod and its seal. A torn boot lets dirt scratch the rod, which damages the seal and leads to an oil leak. If you are fitting bare struts or shocks, fit new boots and bump stops at the same time.
Shocks and Struts for Heavy SUVs, Towing and Loads
Large SUVs and trucks ask a lot of their dampers. They carry more weight, they often tow, and they may run on rough tracks. Rear dampers on these vehicles take the strain of any load in the back or on the tow hitch.
Many large SUVs use rear air suspension to keep the vehicle level as the load changes. When a rear air shock leaks, the back of the vehicle can sag, the headlights point up and the compressor works hard. Replacing a leaking unit early protects the compressor from wearing out. Our rear air shocks for Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Avalanche models are sold as pairs, so both sides of the axle stay matched.
If you tow often, tell your mechanic. They can check that the suspension is right for your use and that the vehicle's load ratings are not exceeded. Always follow the towing limits in your owner's manual.
What Changes After New Dampers
Most drivers notice the difference straight away. The car settles faster after bumps, sits flatter in corners and stops with less nose dive. Steering can feel more precise because the tyres stay pressed to the road. Road noise and harshness depend on the type you fit: coilovers and sport units feel firmer, while standard replacements aim to restore the original ride.
Give new rubber bushes a short time to settle. If you hear a knock or a creak that was not there before, have the fitting checked. A loose fixing or a mount that was not seated properly is easy to fix early.
Check the Rest of the Suspension
Dampers work with many other parts. Worn arms, joints and bushes can cause the same knocks and wandering as a worn damper. When the wheel is off, have the other parts checked too. Our control arm section, ball joint section and bushing section list replacement parts by vehicle. Steering wander can also come from the tie rod ends. The parent suspension and steering collection shows the full range.
Care and Maintenance
- Have dampers checked at service visits, especially on high-mileage vehicles.
- Look for oil on the damper bodies when you rotate tyres.
- On air suspension, listen for the compressor running often and watch for a corner sitting low after parking.
- Avoid hitting potholes and kerbs hard. Impacts damage dampers, mounts and springs.
- Do not overload the vehicle beyond its rated load.
- Keep rubber boots and bump stops in place. They protect the damper rod from dirt.
Who Shops for Shocks and Struts at Easy Life Markets
Our customers include owners of large SUVs with tired air suspension, drivers whose daily car has started to bounce and float, enthusiasts fitting coilovers, and workshops sourcing parts by number. We list every unit by vehicle, years, position and part number where the product page has them.
The range will grow as we add more vehicles. If yours is not here yet, browse the main auto parts catalogue or ask us. The current price and availability are shown on each product page.
Buying Tips
- Photograph the old unit, its top mount and any labels or numbers.
- Note any wiring plug or air line at the top of the damper.
- Order in axle pairs.
- Budget for a wheel alignment after strut or coilover work.
- Read our shipping policy and return and refund policy before you order.
- Keep the packaging until the part is fitted and checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between shocks and struts?
A shock absorber only damps spring movement. A strut is a damper that also forms part of the suspension structure and supports the spring. Most cars use struts at the front and shocks or struts at the rear.
How often should shocks and struts be replaced?
There is no single interval. Replace them when they show signs of wear, such as bouncing, leaks, nose dive or uneven tyre wear. Your owner's manual may give inspection intervals.
Should I replace all four at once?
Replace at least both on the same axle. If all four are the same age and worn, replacing them together gives the most even result.
Do I need an alignment after replacing struts?
Yes, in most cases. Struts locate the wheel, so replacing them can change alignment. Shocks alone usually do not affect it.
Can I replace air suspension with standard parts?
Only if a conversion kit is listed for your vehicle, and some vehicles will show warning lights. Our air units are listed for the air suspension models named in each product title.
Can I fit these parts myself?
Complete assemblies and rear shocks are simpler than bare struts, but suspension is safety-critical. We recommend professional fitting.
How do I check fitment?
Match the vehicle, years, position, drive type and part numbers. Our FAQ page covers ordering questions, and our contact page is there if you need help.