Worried you might overpay for your hood loft support shocks replacement? Use Jerry’s GarageGuard to get fair cost estimate for your hood lift support shocks replacement.

Get Fair Repair Cost Estimate

No spam

Compare shops near you

Always know how much you should pay

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

John Davis

Expert Automotive Writer

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content

Edited by Jessica Barrett, Senior Car & Insurance Editor

What's on this page?

How much does it cost to replace hood lift support shocks?
Where can I get my hood lift support shocks replaced?
How will a mechanic replace my hood lift support shocks?
What happens if I don’t replace my hood lift support shocks?
What are hood lift support shocks?
Can I replace my hood lift support shocks myself?
FAQs
Meet Our Experts

Load full table of contents

How much does it cost to replace hood lift support shocks?

The total average cost to replace hood lift support shocks is around $135-$150. Keep in mind, however, that the actual price will depend on your specific vehicle and location.

How long does it take to replace hood lift support shocks? Generally, a trained technician will take between 30 minutes and one hour. Of course, this is just an average, and replacement times will vary from car to car.

How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.

Get a free fair cost estimate for my car

See fair price estimates for popular cars

What parts do I need for my hood lift support shocks replacement, and how much do those parts cost?

You can find detailed repair information in your vehicle repair guide or

owner’s manual

, but here’s what you should need:

Hood lift support shocks: The only replacement parts you should require are the new shocks. These are the primary components that support your car’s hood. The exact type of shocks will depend on your vehicle’s make and model, but a new set generally costs between $20 and $80.

You’ll also need some basic hand tools, like like a flathead screwdriver, pliers, and a socket set.

We recommend purchasing parts at local auto parts stores like AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and NAPA Auto Parts, as well as online retailers like Amazon and RockAuto. We also recommend trusted brands such as Sachs, Monroe, and StrongArm. However, like price, recommended brands may also vary depending on your vehicle’s specific year, make, and model.

Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts?

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vs. aftermarket parts shouldn’t be a huge concern when replacing your hood lift support shocks. If you want parts designed specifically for your car and with a solid warranty, go the OEM route. If you prefer to pay a lower price, aftermarket parts are a good choice.

Where can I buy the parts for my hood lift support shocks replacement?

If you choose to buy OEM parts, you can find them at your local dealership or authorized parts retailer. You can find high-quality aftermarket parts at most auto parts stores—like Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone or NAPA Auto Parts—or you can shop online from retailers like Amazon and RockAuto.

If you purchase an aftermarket part, check the part number to ensure it will fit on your car.

Find out what parts are recommended for my car

Where can I get my hood lift support shocks replaced?

If you don’t have an established relationship with a trusted mechanic, it can be hard to know where to take your car for repairs. Fortunately, Jerry's

GarageGuard™

can help you compare hourly rates and repair quotes from more than 2,500 U.S. shops.

Jerry's GarageGuard™ shows you fair price estimates from thousands of repair shops using their actual hourly rates. Use Jerry's GarageGuard™ to budget your repairs, learn whether you’ll need to pay diagnostic fees, and choose the shop with the highest customer ratings.

Check out some of our vetted shops below and download the app to view real-time repair costs near you.

105 Reviews

Velasquez Auto Care - Palatine

1450 N Rand Rd, Palatine, IL

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$120

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (224) 326-1282

154 Reviews

61 Auto Center

1226 Centre Ave, Reading, PA

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$70

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (610) 370-7224

142 Reviews

Havoline Xpress Lube - #1324

11988 W. Jewell Avenue, Lakewood, CO

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$137

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (303) 985-1227

177 Reviews

54th Street Auto Center

415 W 54th St, New York, NY

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$191

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (212) 265-3120

How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.

How will a mechanic replace my hood lift support shocks?

If you’re wondering how to replace hood struts, these are the general steps your mechanic will follow:

Open the hood up and support it with a pole or stick

Remove any retaining clips from the hood struts

Unscrew and remove the mounting hardware

Remove the old struts

Position the new struts on the driver side and passenger side and install the mounting hardware

Tighten the fasteners and replace the retaining clips

What happens if I don’t replace my hood lift support shocks?

If you have worn-out hood lift support shocks and choose not to replace them, you’ll likely face the following issues:

Safety problems: If your hood struts cannot properly support the hood, it may close unexpectedly. You could be injured if this happens while you’re working in the engine bay.

Inconvenience: Without properly functioning hood struts, it will be difficult to prop the hood open. You can always use a prop rod to support the hood or vice grips to keep the shocks from collapsing, but those are band-aid fixes.

What are hood lift support shocks?

Hood lift support shocks—also known as hood struts and hood lift support struts—are metal, gas-filled cylinders that support your vehicle’s front hood. These gas struts function like small versions of the

shocks that support your car’s weight

. Hood struts are essential for maintaining the hood’s stability and allowing you access to the engine bay.

When should I replace the hood lift support shocks on my car?

You only need to replace your hood lift support shocks when they fail and can no longer support the hood. Here are the most common signs of hood strut failure:

The hood slowly closes on its own

The hood closes quickly on its own

The hood won’t stay up at all

Keep in mind: These symptoms are all very similar and each indicates a problem with your hood struts. If you notice these signs, you should replace your hood lift support shocks as soon as possible.

How often should I replace my hood lift support shocks?

There’s no set replacement schedule for hood lift support shocks and manufacturers design them to last for several years. But over time, they can fail, so you should inspect your hood struts at least every three to five years.

Outside of routine inspections, you should only have to replace your hood lift support shocks when they fail and can no longer support your car’s hood.

Can I replace my hood lift support shocks myself?

A hood strut replacement can make an excellent DIY project. This job requires entry-level mechanical knowledge and basic tools. That said, if you’re uncomfortable performing the service yourself or you don’t have the right tools, you should visit a professional mechanic.

Explore Popular Repair Services

Fuel Filler Neck Replacement Cost Estimate

Hood Lift Support Shocks Replacement Cost Estimate

Suspension Air Bag Replacement Cost Estimate

Sway Bar Replacement Cost Estimate

Ac High Pressure Switch Replacement Cost Estimate

Throttle Position Sensor Replacement Cost Estimate

FAQs

Can you fix hood struts?

You cannot repair worn-out hood lift support shocks. Once they can no longer support your hood, you’ll need to replace them. If you don’t want to replace your hood struts, you can use a rod or pole to prop the hood open, or you can clamp a vice grip onto the strut to prevent it from collapsing.

How do hood struts go bad?

Hood struts go bad for the following reasons:

Wear and tear: Like many automotive components, hood struts wear out over time.

Environmental factors: Hood struts can go bad due to exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, road debris, and salt.

Oil leaks: Hood struts function like a gas spring and are typically filled with gas and oil. If the struts leak, their damping ability will decrease and they may lose their ability to support the hood.

Physical damage: An accident or another form of damage can cause your hood struts to fail.

How long do hood struts last?

Manufacturers design hood struts to last for several years and you may never have to replace yours. That said, they are subject to wear and tear and can deteriorate over time. The best thing to do to prevent unexpected hood strut failure is to inspect them every three to five years or every 50,000 to 75,000 miles.

Meet Our Experts

John Davis

Car Expert

Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience

John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.

Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.

Jessica Barrett

Car Expert

Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.

Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.

Kathleen Flear

Car Expert

Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.

*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.