How to Install Shocks on a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Loosen, but do not remove, the front lug nuts with a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the SUV with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the Montero’s frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Remove the front lug nuts and pull the front wheels off the Mitsubishi.

Remove the upper shock nut with a ratchet and socket, then pull the washer and bushing off the upper strut mounting stud.

Hold the lower mounting bolt still with a combination wrench as you remove the lower shock nut with a ratchet and socket. Pull the washer off the bolt, then pull the bolt from the lower shock mount and lower control arm.

Pull the shock from the vehicle.

Slide a new washer and bushing -- included with the new shock -- onto the upper shock stud. Guide the upper shock stud into its mounting hole in the frame. Guide the lower shock mount into its mounting area on the lower control arm.

Move the shock absorber up or down, as needed, to line up the bolt hole in the lower shock mount with the mounting holes in the lower control arm, then insert the lower shock mounting bolt to hold the shock in place.

Place a new rubber bushing and metal washer -- included with the shock -- on to the upper shock mounting stud, then hand-tighten a nut onto the stud. Place a washer on the lower shock bolt, then hand-tighten the nut onto the stud.

Tighten the lower shock nut to between 65 and 76 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket, while you hold the bolt still with a combination wrench. Tighten the upper shock absorber nut to 11 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

Repeat Steps 2 through 8 to replace the shock on the other side of the Montero.

Reinstall the front wheels on the Montero Sport and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the Montero Sport to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 80 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

Loosen, but don’t remove, the lug nuts securing the rear wheels, using a ratchet and socket. Raise the rear of the Montero with a floor jack and slide jack stands under both ends of the rear axle. Lower the SUV onto the jack stands. Remove the rear lug nuts and pull the wheels off the hubs.

Remove the nut securing the top of the shock to the frame, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the washer and rubber bushing off the upper shock stud. Hold the lower shock bolt still with a combination wrench and remove its retaining nut with a ratchet and socket. Pull the lower shock bolt from the lower shock mount and the shock bracket on the rear axle.

Pull the shock absorber from the vehicle.

Install a new metal washer and rubber bushing -- included with the new shock -- onto the upper shock stud, then guide the upper shock stud into its mounting hole in the frame.

Slide the lower shock mount into the bracket in the axle. Move the shock up or down to line up the bolt hole in the lower shock mount with those in the shock bracket. Slide the lower mounting bolt through the bracket and the shock mount.

Install a new rubber bushing and a new metal washer onto the upper shock mounting stud, then hand-thread the upper nut into place on the upper stud. Slide a washer onto the lower mounting bolt, then hand-tighten the nut onto the lower mounting bolt.

Torque the upper shock bolt to 16 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket. Hold the lower shock bolt from turning with a combination wrench, then torque the lower shock nut to between 159 and 181 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 to replace the shock on the other side of the Montero.

Reinstall the rear wheels onto the rear hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the rear of the vehicle off the jack stands with a floor jack, then remove the jack stands. Lower the Montero to the ground and torque its lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 80 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.