Replace Shocks on a Vehicle

Shocks dampen the vertical movement of the suspension and have no function in the support of the vehicle. Worn out shocks cause handling problems in as much as they fail to keep the tires firmly planted to the ground. Without shocks, every time the tire travels over uneven surface it will have a tendency to bounce uncontrollably like a basketball. There are two types of shocks: regular and high performance. High performance shocks are much stronger and are used for performance applications. These shocks provide a stiffer ride but better control with heavy loads.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets
• Ratchet
• Set of 3/8-inch drive Allen head sockets
• Vise grips
• Open-end wrench
• Set of metric wrenches

Front Shocks

1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support on jack stands. Open the hood and find the top of the shock in the shock tower. The shock rides in the middle of the spring and has two bolts holding it on the bottom of the lower control arm in the middle of the spring perch. The top single stud and nut protruding through the upper control arm center of spring. It will be obvious as you look at the shock and follow it upward. Using the appropriate size wrench and Allen head socket remove the top nut on the shock. The Allen head socket is necessary to hold the stud from spinning as you loosen it with the wrench.

2. Loosen the two remaining bolts holding the bottom of the shock in place. Remove the shock by lowering it down and out of the bottom of the spring and the lower control arm.

3. Remove the remaining rubber grommets if they are still stuck to the upper control arm. They are under the top retaining nut of the shock. Remove the shock from the box along with the bag that contains the new rubber isolator grommets.

4. Install the cupped washer on the top stud followed by the rubber grommet. Insert the shock the same way you took the old shock out---insert it from the bottom of the lower control arm, up through the spring with the stud sticking through the hole in the top of the upper control arm.

5. Insert the two bolts in the bottom of the shock and tighten them. Install the remaining rubber grommet on the top stud followed by the cupped washer and the nut.

6. Tighten the top nut using the Allen socket to hold the stud and the wrench to tighten it. Lower the vehicle and do the other side the same way.

Rear Shocks

7. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and support with jack stands. Use the jack to slightly raise the side of the axle you are working on to relieve the pressure on the bottom bolt of the shock.

8. Remove the bottom of the shock by removing the through-bolt. This can be done with the open-end wrench to keep the shock from turning and appropriate sized wrench. Remove the two upper bolts to frame. If you follow the shock up, the bolts are easily seen.

9. Install the shock by installing the two top bolts first then tightening them. Tighten the lower through-bolt.

10. Lower the jack and move it to the other side and replace that shock the same way. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Need Cash For An Emergency? Auto Repair, Medical or Home Emergency—CashNetUSA.com is here to help you take control.