The ride quality of a car is not just dependent on the quality of the road but also on the condition of the shock absorbers. Shock absorbers (shocks) are responsible for absorbing the impact of the bumps and vibrations on the road and providing a comfortable ride for the passengers. However, over time, even the best shock absorbers will wear out and have to be replaced. Replacing a shock absorber is a crucial step in improving the safety and handling of your vehicle.
In this guide, we will take you through the complete process of shock absorber installation so you can replace your car shock absorbers like a professional.
1. Step-by-Step Guide On How To Replace A Shock Absorber
Car suspensions deteriorate over time and get soft. This can lead to a bouncy ride and degrade the comfort and handling of the vehicle. If your car bounces more than once or twice while driving over a bump, it’s time to replace your shock absorbers. However, to ensure your shock absorbers are indeed the real culprit, it’s necessary to perform a complete suspension diagnosis.
- Socket
- Torque wrench
- Wheel Chocks
- Jacks
- Jack stands
- Pliers
- Hammer
- Pry Bar
- Adjustable Wrench
- Grease or lubricant
Step 1: Secure The Wheels
Park the vehicle safely on level ground and use wheel chocks to prevent it from rolling.
Step 2: Loosen The Wheel Lug Nuts
Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts of the wheel, front or rear, depending on which shock absorber you want to change. It is always recommended to change your shock absorbers in pairs to ensure both are in the same working condition. If one is old, it may behave differently than a new one, resulting in poor driveability and handling. Refer to our shock absorber replacement article for more insights. Do not remove the lug nuts completely, because the wheel can fall while lifting the vehicle.
Step 3: Lift The Vehicle and Remove The Wheels
Lift the vehicle using a floor jack or ramps and secure it on jack stands. Refer to your owner’s manual for proper jack placement. Once the vehicle is lifted, remove the lug nuts completely and pull out the wheel. Now, locate the shock absorbers. The shocks may be attached by a bolt to the control arm or inside the engine bay or trunk.
The suspension design and placement of the shock absorbers can vary depending on your vehicle. Most cars feature a MacPherson strut at the front and a shock absorber at the rear, whereas SUVs, trucks, and off-road vehicles feature shock absorbers on both the front and rear. Learn more about the difference between MacPherson strut and double wishbone suspension systems and which one your vehicle has.
Step 4: Locate The Shock Absorbers
Once the wheels are removed, locate the shock absorbers. The location depends on whether you are replacing the rear shock absorbers or the front. Usually, shock absorbers are mounted via a horizontal bolt or affixed via a vertical bolt attached to the trunk or engine bay. After identifying the shock absorber mounts, clean them using WD-40 or other rust and gunk cleaning agents. This will help you loosen the shock absorber mounts easily.
Step 5: Remove Bolts From The Shock Tower
Many cars have shock bolts under the fabric in the trunk. In order to access these bolts, you have to lift the fabric lining. Consult the vehicle manual for detailed information on the bolt’s location on your car. Typically, they are located in the trunk. Use a ratchet and socket to loosen the bolts. Apply more penetrating fluid to remove rust if needed.
Step 6: Disconnect The Shock From The Suspension
In most cars, the shock absorber can be removed by loosening the top and bottom nuts. However, in some cases, you might have to disconnect the shock from the suspension or rear control arm using a socket set or nut splitter. Depending on the assembly, you might have to remove the knuckle to access the shock. Refer to the owner’s manual for directions. Remove the mounting nuts and keep them separate so you know where to install them.
| Ford F150 (2004-2008) | Use a 15mm socket to loosen the top nuts holding the shocks from above and a 30mm socket to loosen the mounting nut, which has the shocks from the bottom. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (1994-2002) | Use a 21mm socket to loosen the lower bolt holding the shock and a 15mm socket to loosen the top three nuts holding the shock from the top. |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2007-2015) | Use a 15mm socket to loosen the bottom two bolts that hold the shocks from the bottom and use the same socket to loosen the top 3 nuts holding the shock from the top. |
| Honda Civic (2003-2005) | Use a 17mm socket to loosen the bottom bolts holding the shocks. For the top bolts, you need to open the trunk and remove the carpets and cardboard, which will let you gain access to the three 14mm bolts that hold the shocks from the top. |
Step 7: Remove The Old Shock Absorber
Wiggle the shock absorber gently to pull it out from the mounts. While removing the bolts, you might see the piston rod turn, preventing you from completely loosening the shock absorber. This issue can be solved by using the locking pliers to hold the rod in place or by using a hollow hex kit. If necessary, use a hammer or wrench to loosen the bolt and pop the shock absorber out from the mountings. Use the hammer gently to avoid mis-aligning the bolt, as it can compromise the shock absorber mounts and alignment.
Step 8: Install The New Shock Absorber
To install the new shock absorber, push it into the upper mount first and insert the bolt to hold it in place. New shock absorbers are generally packaged in the compressed position and are held by a plastic strap. The gas charge in the shocks can make them difficult to compress by hand.
Leave that shock strap in place until you secure the upper mount. Once the top shock bolt is secured, the plastic strap can be removed. This process ensures that the upper part of the shock absorber is properly mounted and the shock bolt is secured in place for the proper functioning of the vehicle. This also makes the shock absorber replacement process easier.
Step 9: Install The Wheel And Lower The Vehicle
After installing the shock absorber successfully, mount the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Check and reattach brake lines, calipers, the sway bar link, and other components if they were removed earlier. If everything is in order and the wheels are installed, safely lower the vehicle and remove the jack and jack stands. Finally, tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s recommended torque values using a torque wrench.
While replacing all four shocks, there is no specific order to follow, but it’s essential to replace them in pairs. This ensures that the vehicle’s suspension system is balanced and functioning correctly.
Step 10: Perform Wheel Alignment
After replacing your shock absorbers or suspension components, it’s important to get your wheels aligned. Test drive the vehicle to ensure that the new shock absorber is functioning correctly, and then take it to a mechanic to have your wheels aligned. If the installation is successful, you should not notice signs of a bad shock absorber like unusual noises or a bouncy ride while accelerating or braking.
2. How To Choose The Best Shock Absorber for Your Vehicle?
Choosing the best shock absorbers for your vehicle requires considering several factors, such as the type of driving you do, the weight and size of your vehicle, the type of suspension system your vehicle has, manufacturer recommendations, and researching different brands. It’s important to consider the type of terrain you drive on. The terrain can be either smooth, well-kept roads or rough terrain. Shock absorbers come in various types for different conditions. You can get shock absorbers for your 4×4 truck to raise its ride height and shock absorbers for your car to lower it.
Additionally, the weight and size of your vehicle play a role in choosing the best shock absorber for your car. It is also important to check the manufacturer’s recommendations, and different brands, and read reviews to ensure you get the right type of shock absorbers for your specific make and model. Refer to our ultimate shock absorber buying guide to choose the best shocks for your vehicle.
3. Tips While Replacing Shock Absorbers
- Avoid using a pneumatic gun as it may pose a risk of damaging the chrome surface of the shank/rod during tightening, which could damage the seal and lead to an oil leak.
- Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs for optimal performance. It’s recommended to prime the shock absorbers before installation. Because most shock absorbers are stored on their side, it is recommended to prime new shock absorbers. To prime the shocks, hold the shock unit vertically and upright, and compress and extend it two to three times.
- It’s crucial to use a torque wrench when tightening the rubber mounting bushes of the top mounting kit to ensure that the proper torque specifications are met. Neglecting to do so can damage the bushes and significantly decrease their service life.
- After mounting the wheels, make sure to check the tire pressure.
- Ensure that the vehicle’s wheel alignment is correct. Refer to our ultimate wheel alignment guide for more information.
4. What Is The Difference Between Front and Rear Shock Absorbers?
Both front and rear shock absorbers, also known as dampers, serve the same function of controlling the movement of the vehicle’s suspension. However, there are some key differences between the two types of shock absorbers mentioned below:
1. Mounting
Front shock absorbers are typically mounted to the steering knuckle or control arm, while rear shock absorbers are usually mounted to the rear axle or subframe.
2. Steering And Handling
Front shock absorbers play a critical role in steering and handling as they control the front suspension and steering movement. Rear shock absorbers, on the other hand, primarily control the movement of the rear suspension and do not have as much of an impact on steering and handling.
3. Load-bearing
Front shock absorbers are generally responsible for carrying a larger portion of the vehicle’s weight, supporting the engine, transmission, and steering components. Rear shock absorbers, on the other hand, support less weight.
4. Adjustability
Some high-performance vehicles have adjustable front shock absorbers, which allow the driver to fine-tune the suspension for different driving conditions. Rear shock absorbers are less likely to be adjustable.
5. Cost
Front shock absorbers can be more expensive than rear shock absorbers due to their more complex design and the fact that they have to withstand more forces.
6. Replacement
Front shock absorbers may need to be replaced more frequently than rear shock absorbers due to the additional wear and tear they experience.
The main difference between front and rear shock absorbers is that the front shock absorbers have a more complex design and are built to withstand more force, while the rear shock absorbers have a simpler design and handle fewer forces.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. We highly recommend consulting a qualified technician or mechanic if you have any specific queries or issues regarding any of the subjects discussed here.
