This tool provides general guidance — not professional mechanical advice. Always have a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle before making any repair decisions.
#1 Most Likely
Clunking noise over bumps
Typical Cost
$394 – $1,260
Shock or strut replacement (pair) typically costs $394–$466 per industry repair data (2024); full four-corner replacement may cost $1,057–$1,260. Individual component costs vary widely. Urgency reflects worst-case cause. Prices vary by vehicle make and region.
Wide range because the exact repair depends on what's causing the symptom.
- Worn or failed strut or shock absorber
- Worn sway bar end links or bushings
- Worn control arm bushings
- Loose or worn ball joint
- Loose exhaust heat shield (sounds similar)
A clunking noise when driving over bumps may indicate worn suspension components such as struts, shocks, sway bar links, or control arm bushings. In the worst case, a failed strut or control arm may affect vehicle handling and steering stability, which can become a safety concern.
What a mechanic will check
A mechanic will likely inspect struts, shocks, sway bar end links, control arm bushings, and ball joints. They may push on the vehicle corners to reproduce the noise and inspect rubber bushings for cracking or separation.
What to say to your mechanic
“My car makes a clunking sound when I go over bumps. Can you inspect my suspension — struts, shocks, sway bar links, and bushings — to tell me what may be causing it and how serious it might be? I want to understand what needs attention before we talk about repairs.”
Script based on industry repair procedures
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