A steering knuckle replacement costs $561 to $1,534 in 2026
A steering knuckle replacement costs $561 to $1,534 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $794 to $907. Labor is about $241 to $354 and parts are about $552 to $553. CarParts.com says a steering knuckle can cost between $45 and $910 for the part alone, with labor extra. PartCatalog says a knuckle replacement costs $400 to $1,200 per side for parts and labor.
Steering knuckle replacement cost by car
RepairPal lists these ranges for the most common cars. Your year and engine move the price inside each range.
| Car | Price, parts and labor |
|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | $1,412 to $1,534 |
| Honda Accord | $972 to $1,090 |
| Honda CR-V | $840 to $953 |
| Honda Civic | $752 to $868 |
| Toyota Camry | $724 to $853 |
| Toyota Corolla | $719 to $847 |
| Ford F-150 | $700 to $797 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $561 to $669 |
How common cars compare
Against the middle of the RepairPal national average, $850, the Nissan Altima runs about 73 percent more; the Honda Accord runs about 21 percent more; the Honda CR-V runs about 5 percent more; the Honda Civic runs about 5 percent less; the Toyota Camry runs about 7 percent less; the Toyota Corolla runs about 8 percent less; the Ford F-150 runs about 12 percent less; the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 runs about 28 percent less. The gap comes from where the part sits, how long it takes to reach, and the price of the part for that car.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| RepairPal | National average $794 to $907. Labor is about $241 to $354 and parts are about $552 to $553. |
| CarParts.com | CarParts.com says a steering knuckle can cost between $45 and $910 for the part alone, with labor extra. |
| PartCatalog | PartCatalog says a knuckle replacement costs $400 to $1,200 per side for parts and labor. |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Part price | Knuckles for small cars are cheap. Truck and luxury knuckles can cost hundreds. |
| Parts that come off | The shop must take apart the brake, hub, ball joint, tie rod, and strut. That is a lot of labor. |
| Bearing and hub | Some knuckles come with the hub or bearing. Others need the old bearing pressed out and a new one pressed in. |
| Rust | Old knuckles can be stuck to the hub or the axle, which slows the job. |
| Alignment | After the swap you need an alignment, or the car will pull and wear tires. |
How to tell you need it
- The steering wheel shakes or the car pulls to one side after a hit or a hard curb strike.
- A shop sees a bent, cracked, or badly rusted knuckle, or a wheel that sits at a wrong angle.
- Tires wear unevenly, and the alignment cannot be set within spec.
What the price includes
The price usually covers the knuckle and the labor to take apart and rebuild the front or rear corner. An alignment may be extra, so ask. It does not include tax, shop supply fees, or other repairs the shop finds while the car is in.
How to judge your quote
- Ask how the shop proved the knuckle is bent or cracked, and not just a worn ball joint or bearing.
- Ask if the quote includes a new hub or bearing, and if the knuckle is new or used.
- Ask if the price includes an alignment after the work.
- Ask if the other side needs a look, after a crash.
- Compare the total with the range above: $561 to $1,534 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Make sure the knuckle is the real fault. Many fixes cost less, like a ball joint or tie rod.
- Ask about a quality aftermarket or a used knuckle in good shape to cut the part price.
- Ask if the shop can do the alignment in house to save money.
- If it was a crash, ask your insurer if it will cover the repair.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for a steering knuckle replacement at $241 to $354. At the typical independent shop rate of about $140 an hour, that is about 2.1 hours of work. A dealer charging $200 an hour would bill about $425 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $212. Parts cost about the same anywhere, so the shop rate is where you can save. See what mechanics charge an hour.
Why this costs more in 2026
Shop labor now runs about $100 to $250 an hour. Many car parts are imported, and freight costs went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Steel, copper, aluminum and resin prices are up too, and they go into almost every part. Knuckles are heavy cast steel or aluminum parts, and the metal and the heavy shipping both add to the part price.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's steering knuckle replacement estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. We checked them against CarParts.com and PartCatalog, and read every number on the source page on October 7, 2026. These are planning ranges, not quotes. Your shop's written estimate is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a steering knuckle replacement cost?
RepairPal puts the national range at $794 to $907. PartCatalog says $400 to $1,200 per side for parts and labor.
Can I drive with a bad steering knuckle?
No. A bent or cracked knuckle can cause the wheel to fail. Stop driving and have it checked.
How long does it take to replace a steering knuckle?
PartCatalog says the labor is about 1.5 to 3 hours per side. An alignment follows the job.
Can I replace a steering knuckle myself?
It is hard. You must take apart the brake, hub, and suspension, and you need an alignment after. Most people use a shop.