A worn-out suspension or sloppy steering doesn't just make for a rough ride — on a commercial truck, it accelerates tire wear, strains the chassis, and puts the driver's safety at risk. Paul's Repair Shop at 5284 E 23rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46218 is the truck and trailer repair shop Marion County drivers turn to for complete truck suspension repair and steering service, from a single worn tie rod to a full air-ride suspension overhaul.
Unlike truck suspension shops that only handle parts swaps, our ASE-certified diesel mechanics start with a full suspension and steering inspection to confirm exactly which component is causing the pull, the clunk, or the uneven tire wear before any work begins. Whether your diesel truck needs new shocks, a tie rod replacement, a precision alignment, or air suspension repair, Paul's Repair Shop backs every truck steering and suspension job with a 12-month warranty and an honest, written estimate.
Truck suspension repair cost varies based on which component has failed, whether the truck uses leaf springs, coil springs, or air-ride suspension, and how many corners need attention. The tables below reflect typical national pricing ranges for commercial and diesel truck suspension and steering work.
| Suspension Component | Price Range | Suspension Component | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock Absorber Replacement (pair) | $500 – $1,500 | Strut Assembly Replacement (pair) | $700 – $1,800 |
| Leaf Spring Replacement (single) | $150 – $400 | Leaf Spring Set Replacement (commercial) | $600 – $1,500 |
| Air Spring / Air Bag Replacement (each) | $300 – $800 | Control Arm Replacement (each) | $250 – $650 |
| Ball Joint Replacement (each) | $150 – $450 | Sway Bar Link Replacement (pair) | $150 – $350 |
Heavy-duty and commercial trucks generally fall toward the higher end of these ranges, since leaf spring sets, air spring assemblies, and control arms on diesel trucks are larger, heavier, and more labor-intensive to access than passenger-vehicle equivalents.
Not every truck suspension shop in Indianapolis works on every type of system. Paul's Repair Shop services the full range of suspension designs found on commercial trucks, trailers, and fleet vehicles, so you don't need to track down a specialist for an uncommon setup.
| Suspension Type | What It Is | Common Issues We Diagnose |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Spring Suspension | Stacked steel leaf springs supporting the rear axle, common on box trucks, flatbeds, and many medium-duty commercial trucks. | Sagging ride height, cracked or shifted leaves, clunking over bumps, uneven load distribution. |
| Air-Ride / Air Suspension | Air springs (air bags) replace steel springs, controlled by a compressor and height-control valves for a smoother, load-adjustable ride. | Air leaks, compressor failure, height-control sensor faults, truck sitting low or uneven. |
| Coil Spring Suspension | Coil springs paired with shocks or struts, found on the front end of many trucks and on some lighter commercial vehicles. | Bouncing, sagging, clunking, uneven tire wear from a weak or broken coil. |
| Independent Front Suspension (IFS) | Each front wheel moves independently via control arms, common on newer medium-duty trucks for improved ride and handling. | Worn ball joints, control arm bushing wear, alignment drift, vibration in the steering wheel. |
| Solid (Straight) Front Axle | A single rigid axle connects both front wheels, common on heavier-duty trucks for load-carrying strength and durability. | Steering wander, kingpin or bushing wear, harder ride over rough roads. |
| Walking Beam Suspension | A tandem-axle setup using a pivoting beam to balance load between two rear axles, common on dump trucks and heavy haulers. | Bushing wear at the beam pivot, uneven axle load, clunking under heavy loads. |
| Torsion Bar Suspension | Uses a twisting steel bar instead of a coil or leaf spring to absorb impact, found on some pickups and lighter commercial trucks. | Sagging ride height, clunking, the need for torsion bar adjustment after heavy use. |
| Service | Typical Price | Notes | Avg. Labor Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tie Rod Replacement (per side, w/ alignment) | $350 – $800 | Diesel/heavy-duty trucks trend toward the higher end due to tighter steering geometry and longer labor time | 1 – 2 hours |
| Tie Rod Replacement (both sides, w/ alignment) | $650 – $1,200 | Tie rods should be replaced in pairs since wear on one side typically means the other side is close behind | 1.5 – 2.5 hours |
| Front-End / 2-Wheel Alignment | $120 – $250 | Standard front-axle alignment; recommended after any tie rod, control arm, or ball joint replacement | 45 – 60 min |
| Commercial 4-Wheel / Heavy-Duty Alignment | $200 – $400 | Full 4-corner alignment for trucks with solid rear axles or dual-axle commercial configurations | 1 – 1.5 hours |
📊 DATA SOURCE: Pricing ranges compiled from RepairPal Fair Price Estimator, PartCatalog steering cost guides, Car Talk, AutoNation Mobile Service, J.D. Power cost analysis, and WheelAlignmentCost.com 2026 pricing data.
A wheel alignment is considered standard practice any time tie rods, control arms, or other steering geometry components are replaced — skipping it after a repair typically leads to rapid, uneven tire wear and a return trip to the truck repair shop. Paul's Repair Shop in Indianapolis, IN provides a free, written estimate before any suspension or steering work begins so there are no surprises on the final bill.
Suspension and steering problems rarely happen without warning. Catching these signs early can mean the difference between a routine alignment and a far more expensive repair down the road. If you notice any of the following, call Paul's Repair Shop at (317) 292-8500.
| Status | Warning Sign | What It Means for Your Indianapolis Truck |
|---|---|---|
| ⚠️ | Truck Pulls to One Side While Driving | A truck that drifts left or right on a flat, straight road — even with hands off the wheel — is a classic sign of a steering or alignment issue that calls for prompt inspection. |
| ⚠️ | Uneven or Rapid Tire Wear | Tires wearing unevenly across the tread, or wearing out far faster than expected, usually point to a suspension or alignment problem rather than the tires themselves. |
| ⚠️ | Clunking or Knocking Noises Over Bumps | Clunking sounds from the front or rear of the truck when driving over bumps or potholes often indicate worn shocks, struts, or loose suspension hardware. |
| ⚠️ | Excessive Bouncing After Bumps | A truck that continues bouncing several times after a bump, instead of settling quickly, typically has worn-out shock absorbers or struts that can no longer control spring movement. |
| ⚠️ | Loose or Vague Steering Wheel Feel | A steering wheel that feels loose, delayed, or disconnected from the front wheels is a common symptom of worn tie rods or other steering linkage components. |
| ⚠️ | Vibration or Shaking in the Steering Wheel | Shaking felt through the steering wheel, especially at highway speed, can point to misalignment, worn steering components, or suspension wear that needs diagnosis. |
Many of these symptoms overlap, which is exactly why a proper diagnosis matters — a pull to one side could be alignment, a worn tie rod, or uneven tire pressure, and only a hands-on inspection by experienced diesel mechanics can confirm the actual cause. Schedule a full suspension and steering inspection at Paul's Repair Shop in Indianapolis, IN before a warning sign turns into a roadside breakdown.
Our comprehensive truck suspension repair and steering service at Paul's Repair Shop covers every component — from initial inspection to final alignment before your truck leaves the shop.
| Service Included | What We Do | Avg. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension Inspection | Full visual and hands-on inspection of shocks, struts, springs, control arms, ball joints, and bushings to identify worn or damaged components before they cause a breakdown. | 20–30 min |
| Steering Component Replacement | Diagnosis and replacement of worn tie rods, ball joints, drag links, and other steering linkage components affecting handling and steering response. | 1–2.5 hours |
| Alignment Services | Precision front-end or commercial 4-wheel alignment to correct camber, caster, and toe angles, restoring even tire wear and predictable handling. | 45–90 min |
| Air Suspension Repair | Diagnosis and repair of air spring leaks, compressor faults, and height-control sensor issues on trucks equipped with air-ride suspension systems. | 1–2 hours |
| Shock & Strut Replacement | Replacement of worn shock absorbers or complete strut assemblies to restore ride control and reduce bouncing over bumps and rough roads. | ---- |
| Leaf Spring & Control Arm Service | Repair or replacement of leaf springs, coil springs, and control arms that support truck weight and maintain proper ride height. | ---- |
| Sway Bar & Bushing Replacement | Replacement of worn sway bar links and suspension bushings that reduce body roll and absorb road vibration. | ---- |
| Free Diagnostic & Price Quote | Upfront, written estimate covering suspension or steering parts and labor before any work begins — no surprises on the final bill. | ---- |
Full visual and hands-on inspection of shocks, struts, springs, control arms, ball joints, and bushings to identify worn or damaged components before they cause a breakdown.
Diagnosis and replacement of worn tie rods, ball joints, drag links, and other steering linkage components affecting handling and steering response.
Precision front-end or commercial 4-wheel alignment to correct camber, caster, and toe angles, restoring even tire wear and predictable handling.
Diagnosis and repair of air spring leaks, compressor faults, and height-control sensor issues on trucks equipped with air-ride suspension systems.
Replacement of worn shock absorbers or complete strut assemblies to restore ride control and reduce bouncing over bumps and rough roads.
Repair or replacement of leaf springs, coil springs, and control arms that support truck weight and maintain proper ride height.
Replacement of worn sway bar links and suspension bushings that reduce body roll and absorb road vibration.
Upfront, written estimate covering suspension or steering parts and labor before any work begins — no surprises on the final bill.
Paul's Repair Shop is the Indianapolis truck and trailer repair shop drivers trust for truck suspension repair, truck steering service, and precision alignment — serving commercial truck drivers, owner-operators, and fleet operators throughout Marion County with honest diagnostics, ASE-certified diesel mechanics, and transparent pricing. Whether your truck is pulling to one side, bouncing over every bump, or simply due for a suspension inspection, our team is ready to help. Request a free estimate online or call (317) 292-8500.
