🔧 Escalade - Shock/Strut Replacement

On your Escalade, the rear uses separate shock absorbers, but the front is typically a strut assembly (a shock + spring together). The steps are different, and the wrong method can be unsafe if a spring is involved.

Before I tailor this perfectly, answer these 2 quick questions: (1) Are you replacing front, rear, or all four? (2) Do your shocks/struts have an electrical plug on them (Magnetic Ride Control)?

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: Rear: 1.0-2.0 hours (pair) / Front: 2.5-4.5 hours (pair)

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never get under the Escalade supported only by a jack; use jack stands on the frame.
• ⚠️ Front struts contain a spring under high tension. If you are not replacing a complete strut assembly, a coil spring compressor is required and can be dangerous if misused.
• ⚠️ If equipped with Magnetic Ride Control, do not pull on wiring; release connectors carefully to avoid damage.
• ⚠️ Support the suspension with a jack when removing lower shock/strut bolts to prevent sudden drop.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not usually required, but if you’ll unplug suspension connectors, turning ignition OFF and keeping the key away is smart.

---

🔧 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
• Lug nut socket 22mm
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (30-250 ft-lbs)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-80 ft-lbs)
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Ratchet 1/2"
• Socket set: 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, 24mm
• Wrench set: 15mm, 18mm, 21mm
• Pry bar (12"-18")
• Trim tool set
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front complete strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount nuts - Qty: 6
• Rear shock upper/lower mounting nuts/bolts - Qty: 4
• Magnetic Ride Control connector seals/clips - Qty: 1 kit

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels.
• Loosen lug nuts with a 22mm socket before lifting.
• Spray shock/strut fasteners with penetrating oil and let it soak 10 minutes.
• If your shocks/struts have an electrical connector: turn ignition OFF, keep the key away, and gently release connectors using a trim tool. Don’t twist the connector by force.
• If doing front struts and you are NOT installing complete strut assemblies: you must use a coil spring compressor (it clamps the spring so it can’t expand).

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheel

• Use a floor jack to lift at the proper jacking point, then support with jack stands.
• Remove the wheel using a 22mm socket.

Step 2 (Rear): Support the rear suspension

• Place the floor jack lightly under the lower control arm or axle area to support it.
• This keeps the shock bolt from binding when you remove it.

Step 3 (Rear): Disconnect Magnetic Ride Control (if equipped)

• If there’s a plug on the shock, release the lock with a trim tool and unplug it.
• Unclip the harness from the shock body using needle-nose pliers.

Step 4 (Rear): Remove the lower shock bolt

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar (and an 18mm wrench if the nut spins) to remove the lower shock fastener.
• Adjust the support jack height so the bolt slides out smoothly.

Step 5 (Rear): Remove the upper shock fastener(s)

• Use a 15mm socket (common) to remove the upper mounting fastener(s).
• Remove the rear shock from the vehicle.

Step 6 (Rear): Install the new rear shock

• Position the new shock and start the upper fastener(s) by hand using a 15mm socket.
• Line up the lower mount and insert the lower bolt using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 95 Nm (70 ft-lbs) for upper fastener(s) and Torque to 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs) for the lower bolt.
• If equipped, reconnect the electrical plug and re-clip the harness.

Step 7 (Front): Prep the strut area

• Turn the steering so you have better access to the strut and knuckle area.
• Unclip ABS/brake hose brackets from the strut using a trim tool and remove small bracket bolts with a 10mm socket if present.
• If equipped, unplug the strut electrical connector using a trim tool.

Step 8 (Front): Separate strut from steering knuckle

• Support the lower control arm lightly with a floor jack.
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts using an 18mm socket and breaker bar (hold the other side with an 18mm wrench if needed).
• Mark bolt positions with a paint marker.

Step 9 (Front): Remove the strut top nuts

• Open the hood.
• Remove the strut mount nuts using a 15mm socket.
• Support the strut with one hand while removing the last nut, then pull the strut out.

Step 10 (Front): Install the new strut

• Install the new complete strut into the tower and hand-start the top nuts using a 15mm socket.
• Align the strut to the knuckle and install the lower bolts using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs) for top mount nuts.
• Torque to 180 Nm (133 ft-lbs) for strut-to-knuckle bolts.
• Reconnect brackets using a 10mm socket and reconnect electrical plug if equipped.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and lower the Escalade

• Install the wheel and snug lug nuts using a 22mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and final-torque lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Test drive slowly over a bumpy road and listen for clunks (loose fastener or bracket).
• Recheck for any loose harness clips and verify ABS/brake hose routing is not stretched.
• If you replaced front struts: get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• If equipped with Magnetic Ride Control and you have a warning message, the system may need a scan-tool check for stored codes.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$2,200 (parts + labor, varies a lot with Magnetic Ride Control)

DIY Cost: $300-$1,400 (parts only)

You Save: $600-$800 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-5 hours.

---

🎯 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.