How to Replace Shock Absorbers

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Shock absorbers are essential to your car's performance. Their job is to ensure that your vehicle rides smoothly. These vehicle suspensions, however, eventually become worn and need to be replaced. With the proper tools, you can do the job yourself. Follow these directions to replace your car's shock absorbers.

Steps

1. 1
   Purchase new shock absorbers. Consult your owner's manual or your local auto parts store to be sure you buy the right shock absorbers for your vehicle.

   
   
2. 2
   Position your vehicle. Park your car on a level surface. Loosen the lug nuts on both sides of the front or back end. Secure your vehicle with ramps and/or jack stands. Check your owner's manual for the correct jack positioning.
3. 3
   Locate the shocks. Take the wheels off, slide underneath your car and find the shocks. Shocks will be affixed with a vertical bolt that has to be extracted from within the engine bay or the trunk, or may be positioned at the top by a horizontal bolt that has to be unfastened and knocked out of position.
4. 4
   Unfasten the bolts. Turn a socket and ratchet counterclockwise to unfasten the bolts. Grease the bolts with penetrating fluid to eliminate any surface rust.
5. 5
   Disengage the nut. Use a socket set or a nut splitter to disengage the nut that is bracing the shock to the suspension, and remove it from the bolt. If there isn't enough room to operate the splitter, you can apply penetrating solvent and then heat the nut with a torch.
   • Use the same process to remove the nut that is positioned at the top. Keep the nuts separate so you will know which one goes where when it is time to install your new shocks.
6. 6
   Remove the shock absorber from the bottom and top bolts.
7. 7
   Install the new shock. Reverse the steps to install the new shock. You might need to use some pressure to constrict the shock as it falls into place. Reposition the nuts and secure them on the bolts.
8. 8
   Repeat the steps to replace the other 3 shock absorbers. Put the wheels back on and tighten the lug nuts.
9. 9
   Lower your car back down to ground level safely.

Tips

• Grease the upper shock threads with WD-40 when you are removing the old nut.
• Shock absorbers should be replaced approximately every 75,000 miles.

Warnings

• These directions for replacing shock absorbers are generic. Consult your owner's manual or your repair manual for instructions specific to your car's make and model.

Things You'll Need

• Owner's manual
• Repair manual
• 4 new shock absorbers
• Jack and stands
• Lug nut wrench
• Socket set
• Socket ratchet
• Nut splitter
• Penetrating solvent
• Torch

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