🔧 Encore - Shock Absorber/Strut Replacement

On your Encore, the rear uses separate shock absorbers, and the front uses strut assemblies (a shock + coil spring + mount). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, braking stability, and reduces bouncing and uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

Assumption: Stock suspension; torque specs shown are for the Encore/Trax platform.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack—use jack stands on solid ground.
• ⚠️ If you disassemble a front strut (swap spring), the coil spring is stored energy—use a coil spring compressor (specialty) and keep hands/face out of the spring’s path.
• ⚠️ Support the rear axle/suspension arm with a jack before removing shock bolts to prevent sudden drop.
• ⚠️ Do not let the brake hose or ABS wire hang or stretch—support the knuckle if needed.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is typically required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set metric 8mm-21mm
• Wrench set metric 8mm-21mm
• Torx bit set
• Trim panel tool set
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Pry bar
• Paint marker
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)
• Pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assemblies (Quick-Struts) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Replace if corroded/damaged - Qty: 4
• Rear shock mounting hardware - Replace if corroded/damaged - Qty: 1 kit

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks at the wheels staying on the ground.
• Loosen the lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Spray stubborn fasteners (rear lower shock bolt, front strut bolts) with penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
• If you’re not using complete strut assemblies: a coil spring compressor is a tool that clamps the spring so it can be safely removed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear (center jacking point), then set the rear on jack stands.
• Remove rear wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Access the rear upper shock mounts

• Open the rear hatch.
• Use a trim panel tool set to carefully pop off the side cargo trim panels enough to reach the shock top nuts.
• Locate the upper shock mount nuts (one per side).

Step 3: Remove the rear shocks

• Support the rear suspension arm/axle near the shock with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a 18mm socket and breaker bar.
• Remove the upper shock mount nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Pull the shock out. Use a pry bar gently if it’s stuck.

Step 4: Install the new rear shocks

• Position the new shock and start the upper nuts by hand using a 13mm socket (don’t fully tighten yet).
• Align the lower mount and install the lower bolt using an 18mm socket.
• With the suspension supported at normal ride height (jack lightly lifting the arm), torque fasteners:
• Torque rear lower shock bolt to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs)
• Torque rear upper shock mount nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Reinstall rear trim and wheels

• Reinstall cargo trim panels using the trim panel tool set to seat clips.
• Reinstall wheels using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench 1/2".

Step 6: Lift and secure the front for strut replacement

• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Use a floor jack to lift the front, support with jack stands, then remove front wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 7: Disconnect items attached to the front strut

• Remove the ABS/brake hose brackets from the strut using the correct socket (commonly 10mm socket).
• Remove the sway bar end link nut from the strut using an 18mm socket and matching wrench.
• Tip: Hold the link stud with a Torx bit if it spins.

Step 8: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Use a paint marker to mark the strut-to-knuckle position for reference.
• Remove the two strut-to-knuckle bolts using a 18mm socket and breaker bar.
• Support the knuckle so it doesn’t pull on the axle or hoses.

Step 9: Remove the front strut assembly

• Open the hood.
• Remove the strut mount nuts at the strut tower using a 13mm socket (leave one nut loosely threaded until you’re ready to catch the strut).
• Remove the last nut and lower the strut out.

Step 10: Install the new front strut assembly

• Guide the new strut into the strut tower and start the top nuts by hand using a 13mm socket.
• Align the strut with the knuckle and install the two lower bolts using an 18mm socket.
• Reconnect the sway bar link using an 18mm socket and wrench.
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket.
• Torque fasteners:
• Torque front strut upper mount nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Torque front strut-to-knuckle bolts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs)
• Torque front sway bar end link nut to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall front wheels using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench 1/2".

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✅ After Repair

• Do a slow test drive. Listen for clunks over bumps and confirm the steering feels normal.
• Recheck for any loose bracket bolts and look for stretched ABS/brake hoses.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment after replacing front struts (very important to prevent tire wear).
• After 50–100 miles, re-check lug nut torque with a torque wrench 1/2".

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,700 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $350-$850 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$850 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.