🔧 Suburban - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Suburban, the rear uses traditional shock absorbers, while the front uses a strut assembly (a shock with a coil spring around it). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, braking stability, and reduces bouncing and tire cupping.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (rear only: 1-2 hours; front struts: 2-4 hours)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the Suburban on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack.
• 🛑 Front struts contain a coil spring under high tension; use a spring compressor correctly or replace complete strut assemblies to avoid spring transfer.
• 🛑 Keep hands clear of suspension pinch points while raising/lowering the control arm or axle.
• 🛑 If equipped with electronic/air/auto-level suspension, procedures and parts differ; do not unplug live connectors with the key on.
• 🛑 No battery disconnect is typically required for non-electronic shocks/struts.

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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 (10–200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (8mm–24mm, 1/2" drive)
• Wrench set (8mm–24mm)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Ratchet (1/2")
• Extension set (3" and 6")
• Pry bar (18")
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Strut spreader bit (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers (replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Front complete strut assemblies (recommended; replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount nuts (recommended) - Qty: 6
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts (recommended if rusted) - Qty: 4
• Rear shock mounting hardware (recommended if rusted) - Qty: 1 kit

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📋 Before You Begin

• ✅ Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• ✅ Chock the wheels that stay on the ground using wheel chocks.
• ✅ Spray mounting bolts/nuts with penetrating oil 10–15 minutes before removal.
• ✅ Tip: Replace left and right together.
• ✅ Assumption: torque specs below are common for this Suburban platform; verify if you have access to OEM service info.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the Suburban

• Loosen the wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 22mm socket and breaker bar.
• Lift the vehicle with a floor jack at the proper lift point.
• Set it down on jack stands and confirm stability by gently rocking it.
• Remove the wheels using a 22mm socket and ratchet.

Step 2: Rear shocks (traditional shock absorber) - remove

• Support the rear axle lightly with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop when the shock is removed.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a 21mm socket and wrench (sizes may vary slightly by brand/hardware).
• Remove the upper shock bolt using a 21mm socket and ratchet.
• Pull the shock out. Use a pry bar gently if it’s stuck.

Step 3: Rear shocks - install

• Compare the new and old shocks for length and mounting style.
• Install the new shock upper mount first by hand-threading the bolt using a ratchet.
• Install the lower bolt by adjusting axle height with the floor jack.
• Tighten fasteners with a torque wrench: Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs) (lower) and Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) (upper), unless your parts instructions specify otherwise.
• Tip: Snug bolts first, then torque.

Step 4: Front struts (recommended: complete strut assemblies) - access

• Open the hood.
• Locate the strut tower top nuts (three nuts per side).
• If there’s a plastic cowl/trim cover blocking access, remove clips using a trim clip tool.
• Mark the strut-to-knuckle area with a paint marker so you can put the new strut in the same position.

Step 5: Front struts - disconnect related components

• Remove the stabilizer (sway) bar link nut from the strut using an 18mm wrench and socket as needed. Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs) on install.
• Unclip any brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a 10mm socket or trim clip tool (do not stretch the lines).

Step 6: Front struts - remove strut from the steering knuckle

• Support the lower control arm lightly with a floor jack.
• Remove the two large strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 21mm–24mm socket and breaker bar (size varies by hardware).
• If the knuckle clamps the strut tightly, use a strut spreader bit (specialty) to slightly open the clamp so the strut can slide out. A strut spreader is a tool that twists to open the clamp safely.

Step 7: Front struts - remove from the top mount

• From the engine bay, remove the three upper strut mount nuts using a 15mm socket.
• Hold the strut so it doesn’t fall, then remove it out through the wheel well.

Step 8: Front struts - install

• Position the new complete strut into the tower and hand-start the three top nuts using a 15mm socket.
• Guide the strut into the knuckle and install the two lower bolts/nuts using a socket and breaker bar.
• Reconnect the stabilizer link using an 18mm wrench and socket.
• Reattach brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket or trim clip tool.
• Tighten/torque fasteners with a torque wrench:
  • Upper mount nuts: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
  • Strut-to-knuckle bolts: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs)
  • Stabilizer link nut: Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)
• Tip: Torque with suspension supported.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts using a 22mm socket.
• Lower the Suburban off the stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• 🔍 Test drive at low speed first; listen for clunks and confirm stable braking.
• 🔍 Re-check all visible fasteners and wire/line routing after the first short drive.
• 🔍 Get a 4-wheel alignment after replacing front struts to prevent tire wear.
• 🔍 If you feel pulling, steering off-center, or uneven ride height, stop and recheck installation.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$2,200 (parts + labor; front struts add significant labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$900 (parts only; depends on strut/shock brand)

You Save: $650-$1,300 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.