Shock absorbers are very important for car performance so that it can drive smoothly and balanced. However, the suspensions of these vehicles wear out over time making potholes in the road difficult to ignore. If your shock absorbers are worn out, you can replace them yourself with a little time and skill.
Step
Part 1 of 3: The Beginning
Step 1. Make sure you do need a new shock absorber
You may notice it when your vehicle crosses potholes and "sleeping cops" on the road and turns out to be not as smooth as it used to be. This is a sign that your shock absorbers are worn and need to be replaced. An easy way to test and make sure your shock absorbers are worn enough is to press hard on the trunk or hood just above the wheels. Shock absorbers that are still good will bounce up once and return to their original position quickly. If the body bounces more than once after being pressed, it's time to replace the shock absorbers.
You should also know whether your vehicle uses stand-alone shock absorbers attached to the suspension or frame of the vehicle or whether your vehicle uses shock absorbers integrated into the suspension support such as MacPherson or Chapman support suspensions. Your vehicle is also possible to use a combination of both such as shock absorbers at the front and support suspension at the rear. Support suspensions are difficult to replace by yourself so it's better to leave it to a professional to do it
Step 2. Purchase a new shock absorber
If you're not sure which type of shock absorber you need, ask someone at an auto parts store or mechanic so you can be sure that you're buying the right shock absorber or piston for your vehicle.
Step 3. Consider upgrading your shock absorbers
You can get replacements for identical shock absorbers on your current vehicle, but this is also a good time to make a quality upgrade if you're interested. High quality shock absorbers suitable for everyday use vehicles especially trucks.
- Thread shock absorbers made with threaded springs around the shock absorber body to support the weight of the vehicle and control the movement of the suspension. These threaded shock absorbers are adjustable so you can change the height of your truck for optimal performance.
- Double tube shock absorbers has a set of tubes inside and outside that houses the piston along with a shock-absorbing fluid and air layer so it has a tendency to produce a foamy and foamy mixture which can affect performance although some modern variations introduce nitrogen mixtures that overcome this problem. These shock absorbers are usually used in off-road vehicles.
- Single tube shock absorber introduces one tube and two pistons which work like double tube shock absorbers with one piston separating the nitrogen layer from the air. These shock absorbers work well and are a popular high-quality choice for trucks.
- Reservoir shock absorbers filled with liquid and compressed air or nitrogen. When these shock absorbers absorb reflections, the liquid comes into contact with the gas causing resistance and damping of the spring force.
Step 4. Jack your vehicle in the appropriate place
Park your vehicle on a level surface and loosen the lug nuts on both sides at the front or rear ends. Secure your vehicle with holders and/or supports. Check the vehicle owner's manual for the correct jack position. When your vehicle is raised, remove the wheels and find the shock absorbers.
The shock absorbers will be installed with vertical bolts that must be removed from inside the engine or trunk compartment, or can be positioned on top with horizontal bolts that must be removed from their position
Step 5. Check the shock absorber mount and spray with metal cleaner
The hardest part of the job is removing the old shock absorbers as they tend to get tough with time and the dirt builds up making the bosses and bolts difficult to remove. Check if the stand is loose enough to remove or if you have damaged the rubber around the boss. It's okay to damage the rubber because you'll end up replacing the shock absorbers. However, it's usually easier to spray WD-40 or PB Blaster inside and let it sit for a few minutes for the components to loosen before you start working.
Part 2 of 3: Removing the Old Shock Absorbers
Step 1. Remove the bolts from the shock absorber tower
Many vehicles have the top bolt under the rug in the trunk of the vehicle which means you have to lift the rug to reach the bolt from the shock absorber and remove it with a socket wrench. Refer to your manual for more specific guidelines on the location of the bolts of the shock absorber tower. Although generally these bolts are located in the trunk.
To remove the bolt, turn the socket wrench counterclockwise and grease the bolt with penetrating liquid to remove surface rust if necessary
Step 2. Remove the shock absorbers from the suspension
Use a socket or nut breaker to remove the nut that connects the shock absorber to the suspension and remove the nut from the bolt. If you don't have enough space to use a nut breaker, you can use a penetrating solution.
Depending on the assembly, you may have to remove the segment at the top of the brake assembly to reach the shock absorbers. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to be sure. Use the same process to remove the nut positioned at the top and separate the nut so you know where it is when installing the new shock absorber
Step 3. Remove the shock absorbers from the bottom and top bolts
Removing the shock absorbers from the bolts can be difficult especially if the shock absorbers are mounted on protrusions with retaining brackets and they are all rusty. Shake the shock absorbers and eventually the rust will come off.
- One common form of frustration is when the piston rod keeps turning as you try to loosen the nut. You can use locking pliers on the ends of the rods and prevent them from turning with the pliers while loosening the nuts with a wrench, but this can also be equally frustrating. A set of hollow hex wrenches that fit the rods and a special key made for a specific purpose are available at parts stores for around $150.
- If you need to hit the bolt with a hammer or with the end of your wrench to loosen the bolt, this is fine. However, make sure you use one nut to re-use as a beating surface. Do not let the bolts misalign and interfere with your ability to properly reassemble the shock absorbers. Let the metal cleaner do its job and don't rush.
Part 3 of 3: Installing the New Shock Absorbers
Step 1. Attach the new shock absorbers to the suspension control arm
You may need to press to tighten the shock absorbers when they snap into place and you may need help lifting the suspension to put the bolts back into place. Help from others will be very helpful as a balancing force. Tighten the nut.
Step 2. If needed, you may need to re-attach the non-slip rod you removed earlier
Reinstall the anti-slip rod and screw the bolt securely. Replace the nut from the shock absorber tower that you removed early in the process that may be in the trunk of the vehicle.
Step 3. Check your torque specifications in the maintenance manual
Before you tighten everything, double check the torque specifications to make sure everything is tight.
Step 4. Repeat the above steps to replace the other three shock absorbers if needed
Most shock absorbers wear out at the same time. If you want to replace one shock absorber, you will likely replace all of them. Perform the same steps and reinstall the wheel and tighten the lug nuts to complete this job.
Tips
- Grease the upper shock absorber thread with WD-40 when you remove the old nut.
- Shock absorbers must be replaced every 121,000 km.
