🔧 Outback - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair replaces the rear shock absorbers on your Outback. The rear shocks control bouncing and help keep the tires planted, so worn shocks can cause poor ride control, extra tire wear, and longer stopping distance.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only.
• ⚠️ Support your Outback with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack by itself.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• ⚠️ Rear shock bolts can be tight or rusty. Use steady pressure so tools do not slip.
• ⚠️ Replace shock absorbers in pairs, left and right, to keep handling balanced.
• ⚠️ This procedure is for rear shock absorbers. The front suspension uses strut assemblies, which are a different repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive
• Trim clip remover
• Flat-blade screwdriver 6-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorber - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mounting hardware - Qty: 2 sets
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 2 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Outback on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the front tires.
• 🔎 A shock absorber is the vertical damper between the body and suspension arm. It does not hold the vehicle up; the spring does that.
• 🔎 A jack stand is a fixed support that safely holds the vehicle after lifting it with a floor jack.
• 💡 Spray penetrating oil on the rear shock lower bolts and upper mounting nuts before starting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Outback at the rear differential support area or approved rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear side pinch welds or approved rear support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels by hand and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the rear lower control arm on the side you are replacing first.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This keeps the suspension from dropping suddenly when the shock is removed.

Step 5: Access the Upper Shock Mount

• Open the rear liftgate by hand.
• Use a trim clip remover and flat-blade screwdriver 6-inch to loosen the rear cargo side trim panel near the shock tower.
• Move the trim only enough to access the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Do not force the trim panel; plastic clips can break.

Step 6: Loosen the Upper Shock Mount Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket, 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Leave one nut threaded on a few turns to keep the shock from falling.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a 17mm wrench to hold the lower shock nut if it spins.
• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the lower shock mounting bolt.
• If the bolt is stuck, use penetrating oil and a rubber mallet to tap the shock eye gently.

Step 8: Remove the Old Shock Absorber

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the remaining upper shock mounting nut.
• Hold the shock absorber with one hand while removing the last nut.
• Lower the shock out by hand.

Step 9: Compare the New Shock

• Use your hands to place the old and new rear shock absorbers side by side.
• Confirm the mounting ends, length, and brackets match.
• If the new shock has a shipping strap, do not cut it until you are ready to install.

Step 10: Install the New Shock Upper Mount

• Use your hands to guide the new shock absorber into the upper mount area.
• Install the upper mounting nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket, 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive, and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the upper mounting nuts.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Align the Lower Shock Mount

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise or lower the rear lower control arm slightly until the lower shock eye lines up with the mounting hole.
• Install the lower shock bolt and nut by hand first.
• If needed, use a rubber mallet to lightly tap the bolt through.

Step 12: Tighten the Lower Shock Bolt at Ride Height

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the lower control arm until it is close to normal ride height.
• Use a 17mm wrench to hold the nut.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lower shock bolt.
• Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).
• Ride height means the suspension is held near its normal loaded position.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the rear shock absorber on the opposite side.
• Always replace both rear shocks as a pair.

Step 14: Reinstall Cargo Trim

• Use your hands to reposition the rear cargo side trim panels.
• Use a trim clip remover if needed to align the clips.
• Press the trim clips into place by hand.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Use your hands to place each rear wheel on the hub.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 16: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands by hand.
• Lower your Outback fully to the ground using the floor jack.

Step 17: Torque the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the rear of your Outback by hand. It should settle quickly, not keep bouncing.
• ✅ Test drive slowly over small bumps and listen for clunks.
• ✅ Recheck the rear lower shock bolts after the test drive if any noise is heard.
• ✅ A wheel alignment is not usually required for rear shock-only replacement unless suspension arms were loosened or tire wear is abnormal.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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