How to Remove Rear Shocks


1. Open the trunk and remove the trunk lining. Use a screwdriver to help you pry up some of the trim around the wheel wells inside the trunk. Simply wedge the end of the screwdriver behind the trim and pull it up.
2. Remove the shock's mounting bolts using a socket wrench. There are bolts holding the shocks in place on both sides of the trunk--one for left, one for right. You may need to use a breaker bar to loosen the mounting bolts.
3. Spray penetrating oil on the pinch bolt that holds the spindle housing in place. It should soak for 15 minutes. Then spray again and let it soak for five more minutes.
4. Remove the pinch bolt using the socket wrench. These bolt heads may snap off easily, so make sure that you have soaked it good in penetrating oil before attempting to remove them. You may need to use a breaker bar.
5. Separate the upper strut from the spindle housing. Use a pry bar and hammer, and pound on the end of the pry bar to separate these components. It may take a while, but it should come apart eventually.
6. Break the lug nuts loose on the vehicle using the tire wrench. Loosen them slightly, not too much. The wheel should remain firm against the wheel hub assembly.
7. Jack up the car slowly using the rear jack point on your vehicle. Typically, this is an extension of the frame located near the trunk area under the vehicle. Remove the lug nuts and wheel. Once the upper mounts have been loosened, there is nothing holding the shocks in place. The shocks and springs over them will naturally decompress, allowing you to remove them. On some vehicles, you may need to loosen the brake line support (do not remove it, though) in order to pull the shock and coil assembly out of the wheel well.
8. Pull the shock and coil assembly straight down and out through the wheel well.