How to Replace Rear Shocks in Vehicles

The Vehicles is equipped with rear shock absorbers designed to help keep the rear wheels in contact with the road, no matter how rough the terrain. The shocks consist of two cylinders that compress hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid dampens the impact from the road, keeping the tire in contact with the road surface to maintain Vehicles stability and control. Over time, the seals in the hydraulic chamber can weaken or fail, causing the fluid to leak out. When this happens, replace the shocks to maintain suspension integrity and avoid damage to other suspension components.

Under The Hood:

• How to Replace Rear Shocks in a 2001 Ford Taurus
• How to Replace the Rear Shocks on a 2005 Chevy Equinox
• How to Replace the Rear Shocks in a Buick
• How to Replace Rear Shocks on a Ford Escape
• How to Replace Rear Shocks on a Chevy Lumina

 How to Replace Rear Shocks in a 2001 Ford Taurus

Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts on both sides.

Remove the access cover over the shock and use the socket set to loosen the top nut holding the shock in place.

Jack up the rear of the Taurus using the floor jack and place the jack stands under the rear control arms. Lower the car onto the jack stands and slide the floor jack out of the way.

Use the socket set to remove the nut and washer from the bolt holding the bottom of the left shock to the suspension. You may need to place a box wrench on the opposite side of the mounting bolt to hold it still while you remove the nut.

Remove the top nut that you loosened in step 2. You can now remove the shock by hand.

Insert the new shock up through the mount at the top and into the bracket on the bottom and reattach the mounting bolts and nuts in reverse of how you removed them.

Repeat the shock removal and replacement on the other side and then lower the Taurus back to the ground.

 How to Replace the Rear Shocks on a 2005 Chevy Equinox

Climb under the back end of the Equinox and hold the lower retaining nut on the upper portion of the shock absorber in place with a box wrench while you use the socket set to remove the upper retaining nut. Take the old bushing and washer off with the upper retaining nut. Repeat this on the other side when done.

Raise the rear end into the air with the floor jack and put the jack stands under the rear frame. Do not put the jack stands under the rear axle or any of the rear suspension, as you need the suspension to hang down to replace the shock absorbers. Lower the Equinox onto the jack stands.

Remove the retaining hardware from the bottom of each shock, using the box wrenches. Hold one the bolt still with one wrench as you remove the nut on the other side with another wrench (or the socket set). Pull the shocks out by hand when done.

Move the replacement shocks into position and insert the new hardware through the bottom mounts. Tighten the hardware down in reverse of how you removed it.

Snip the nylon retaining strap off the shock with the knife or cutters and guide the top stud upward and through the upper mount. Install the hardware in reverse of how you removed it. Do not reuse the old hardware on the top, instead always use the hardware supplied with the replacement shocks. Repeat this on the other side when done.

Lower the Equinox off the jack stands with the floor jack.

 How to Replace the Rear Shocks in a Buick

Place the car in park. Lift the rear of the vehicle using the jack and support it with jack stands. Chock the front wheels.

Remove the left-rear tire. Support the rear axle with the jack.

Remove the upper bolt that secures the shock to the body. Remove the lower bolt that secures the shock to the axle and lift the shock out of the wheel well.

Place the new shock in position and reinstall both of the retaining bolts. Remove the jack from underneath the axle and reinstall the tire.

Repeat steps 2 though 4 for the opposite side.

Lower the car to the ground and remove the wheel chocks. Test-drive the vehicle to ensure proper operation.

 How to Replace Rear Shocks on a Ford Escape

Jack up the rear of the truck to access the rear shock. Locate the rear shock behind the back tire. Jack up the truck from the rear end to ensure both sides are jacked up evenly.

Remove the rear wheels. This step is optional. You can work around the rear wheels, but you will have more room with the wheels off the vehicle.

Locate the driver-side rear shock. Remove the shock by removing the top bolt with a socket wrench.

Remove the bottom bolt with a socket wrench. Push up on the stud end of the shock to pull it out of the mounting bracket.

Place the washer and the bushing on the stud end of the shock. Ensure the bushing is the last item placed on the stud.

Put the bottom end of the shock in the mounting bracket on the truck. Put another bushing and washer on the other end of the bracket. Cap the stud off with a nut. Secure the nut on the threads, but do not tighten yet.

Slide the top of the shock to the mounting bracket on the top. Ensure both bushings are deposited on either side of the shock. Run the bolt through the aligned holes and secure it with a nut. Tighten until it is snug. Tighten the bottom end of the shock as well.

Repeat these steps for the passenger side of the truck. Install the wheels and lower the vehicle off the jack.

Test-drive to test the suspension system. The ride should be smoother.

 How to Replace Rear Shocks on a Chevy Lumina

Place a jack under the rear axle, and jack the Lumina off the ground. Place jack stands under the axle, and lower the Lumina onto the jack stands.

Remove the bolt that secures the top of the rear shock to the shock hoop, welded to the underside of the body, using a socket and ratchet.

Remove the lower bolt that holds the bottom of the shock onto the shock hoop welded to the axle housing, using a socket and ratchet.

Pull the shock out of the shock hoops.

Place the top of the new shock into the shock hoop, and secure it, using a socket and ratchet.

Pull down on the shock absorber, until the lower part of the shock rests inside the lower shock hoop. While holding the shock absorber in place, push the bolt through the shock hoop to hold the shock in place.

Secure the lower shock to the shock hoop, using the socket and ratchet.