How To: Replace Rear Shock Absorbers

How to install new shocks. Shocks (and struts) wear out so gradually, it’s nearly impossible to feel the difference while you’re driving. Old shock absorbers can affect your steering and braking are affected, and the stability of your ride—as well as the condition of your tires—can deteriorate considerably. It’s recommended you have shocks and struts professionally inspected every fifty thousand miles. Fortunately, with a few tools, you can replace and install rear shocks yourself.

Supplies Needed for This Job:

0:00 Welcome Back
0:37 Lift Your Vehicle
1:05 Remove the Old Shock
2:04 Prime the New Shock
2:35 Install the New Shock
3:30 Replace the Wheel

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Transcript:
Once you’ve got your supplies together, here’s what you’ll do:

Jack up your vehicle and put it on stands.
Start by removing the rear wheel where you’ll be working.
Then, place a jack under the lower ball joint or control arm.
Raise the jack upward slightly to relieve the tension of the suspension.
The shock absorber will be connected to the top shock mount by a bolt, and by a nut at the bottom shock mount on the suspension knuckle.
There will also be a third bolt for the splash guard that bolts directly into the absorber.
Use penetrating oil if needed to loosen the bolts and nut.
Use your socket wrench and 10mm socket to remove the splash guard bolt… and splash guard.
Then, remove the bottom nut using your 19mm socket.
Next, remove the top bolt with your 24mm socket.
You should be able to remove the shock absorber now.
Start at the top by pulling it away from the shock mount.
Then, push it away from the bottom shock mount.
If you have trouble you may need to use a pry bar and mallet to loosen the shock.

Before installing a new shock absorber it is recommended to manually pump them 3 to 5 times.
When you do that, make sure the shock is oriented the way it will be in the vehicle, top side up.
This primes the shock and reduces the break-in period by getting the hydraulic fluid and nitrogen gas redistributed correctly, since the shock has likely been sitting horizontally on a shelf and during shipment.
If the shock is packaged with a band on it, you may want to wait until it’s in place to cut the band.
Once it’s cut, the shock will extend fully.

To install the new shock absorber, first make sure it’s in the proper orientation so the splash guard at the base of the shock can be reinstalled correctly.
Connect the shock to the bottom shock mount.
Then, compress the shock and work it into the top shock mount.
Reinstall and finger-tighten the top bolt… and the bottom nut.
Don’t torque these till the wheel is replaced and the vehicle is lowered so that the suspension is loaded.
[The top bolt should be at 137.3 ~ 159.9N.m (14.0 ~ 16.0kgf.m, 101.3 ~ 115.7lb-ft)]
[The bottom nut should be at 88.2 ~ 107.8 N.m (9.0 ~ 11.0 kgf.m, 65.0 ~ 79.5 lb-ft)]
Use the third bolt to reinstall the splash guard.
Replace the wheel and tighten the lug nuts to manufacturer specifications. [88.2 ~ 107.8 N.m (9.0 ~ 11.0 kgf.m, 65.0 ~ 79.5 lb-ft)]
As always, be sure all bolts are tightened to manufacturer specifications.
Shocks should be replaced in pairs, so repeat these steps on the other side.

[jerryfoster]

The one mistake that I made was not priming the shock absorbers. DAMMIT...Am I gonna have to take them off and prime them? Then put them back on? Really easy for a 2007 Cobalt.

[alexanderstephens]

Why do services charge so much too change shock's

[TheNewbSauce]

I am getting shocks replaced on a vehicle I just bought from Carvana. Cost is covered 100% but I have to use pep boys for the repair. I just read some horrible reviews and now I am in a panic. I am watching this to know what to look for when I get it back. Pray for me please.

[icemancometh]

I have a 1989 Pontiac Grand Am - I did all this and got my back shocks on but later I think they come unscrewed and my car was bouncing the distance of the unscrewed Gap. It's like the bolt come unthreaded at the top and now it's bouncing however far it come unscrewed. Ok, so I tried to screw the bolt back down inside the trunk on top of the shock- the whole shock moves- even when I hold the bottom part of the shock. (When I do this it won't move at all) I had a shop put the struts on the front because of the springs so there's no issue with that just the weird bouncing in the back - now I'm worried about the other shock on the other side. They went on fine no problem just weird cuz they seem to have unscrewed.

[Nicholas_Triumph_Thruxton]

Hey, if a woman can do it, anybody can.