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Launching in Surrey

Steering and suspension quotes

The steering and suspension keep the car pointing where you steer and the tyres on the road over bumps. Springs, shock absorbers, bushes, joints and wheel bearings wear gradually, so a change is easy to miss until you hear a knock or see a tyre wearing unevenly.
Post your suspension job

Post the job free with your registration and postcode. Garages on Matchanic can see it and choose whether to quote, and you only go ahead if you accept one. Matchanic is new and launching in Surrey, so there may be few or no garages on Matchanic near the car yet.

Signs your car may need this

  • A knock or clunk over bumps or speed humps.
  • The car pulling to one side, or the steering wheel off-centre when you drive straight.
  • Tyres wearing more on the inside or outside edge.
  • The car bouncing, wallowing or leaning more than it used to.
  • A hum or rumble that rises with speed, which can be a wheel bearing.
  • Heavy steering, a whine when you turn, or a power steering warning.
  • One corner of the car sitting lower than the others, which can be a broken spring.

Jobs you can ask garages to quote for

The jobs you can choose for this when you post. Pick the one that fits, or the closest, and add the detail under ‘Anything else’.

  • Wheel alignment (tracking)
  • Four-wheel alignment
  • Front shock absorber replacement
  • Rear shock absorber replacement
  • Front coil spring replacement
  • Rear coil spring replacement
  • Strut top mount replacement
  • Anti-roll bar drop link replacement
  • Anti-roll bar bush replacement
  • Lower arm (wishbone) replacement
  • Ball joint replacement
  • Track rod end replacement
  • Steering rack replacement
  • Power steering pump replacement
  • Power steering leak repair
  • Electric power steering fault
  • Front wheel bearing replacement
  • Rear wheel bearing replacement
  • Suspension bush replacement
  • Rear axle or trailing arm bush replacement
  • Air suspension repair
  • Suspension knocking diagnosis
  • Steering wheel vibration diagnosis

What affects the price

Each garage sets its own price. These are the things that usually make the difference.

  • Which part, and which corner. A drop link is a small part; a steering rack or air suspension is a large job.
  • Whether parts are replaced in pairs across the axle, as is common for springs and shock absorbers.
  • Seized bolts, which add labour.
  • Whether the wheels need aligning after the work, and whether that’s two-wheel or four-wheel alignment.
  • Parts from the car’s maker or from other brands.

Suspension and the MOT

The MOT checks the suspension, including the springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms and joints. For example, a shock absorber with a negligible damping effect is a major defect, which fails the test.

Sources

Checked against GOV.UK in September 2026.

What to tell the garage

Say what you hear or feel, where it seems to come from (front or rear, left or right), and when: over bumps, when turning, when braking or at a particular speed. If an MOT listed an advisory or a failure for a suspension part, copy its wording.

If you only want the alignment checked, choose ‘Wheel alignment (tracking)’. If you only know there’s a knock, choose ‘Suspension knocking diagnosis’.

Questions about steering and suspension

  • What’s the difference between tracking and four-wheel alignment?

    Tracking usually sets the front wheels only. A four-wheel alignment sets all four, which some cars need because their rear wheels can be adjusted too. If you don’t know which your car needs, choose ‘Wheel alignment (tracking)’ and ask the garage about its quote.

  • Is it the alignment or the balancing?

    If the car pulls, or the tyres wear on one edge, the alignment is the usual suspect. A vibration through the steering wheel at speed is more often a wheel that needs balancing, which is under Tyres and wheels.

  • Do shock absorbers have to be replaced in pairs?

    It’s usual to replace them in pairs across an axle, so both sides of the car behave the same, and the same goes for springs. Check whether each quote is for one or a pair.

  • How do I know which wheel bearing is noisy?

    It’s hard to tell from the driver’s seat, because the noise carries. Front and rear bearings are separate jobs on the list; if you’re not sure which, say so under ‘Anything else’ and a garage can find the corner on a test drive or a ramp.

Related jobs

Start with your registration

Posting a job is free, and you don’t have to accept a quote.

Post your suspension job

Matchanic is launching in Surrey. How Matchanic works · Matchanic in Surrey