🔧 Insight - Shock/Strut Replacement

On your Insight, the front suspension uses struts (shock + spring together), and the rear uses separate shocks (the spring is separate). Replacing worn dampers restores ride control, braking stability, and reduces bouncing or uneven tire wear.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car on jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🛑 If doing front struts: the coil spring is under high tension—use a spring compressor (specialty). A spring compressor squeezes the spring safely so it can’t “launch.”
• 🔥 Let brakes/exhaust cool before working near them.
• ⚡ Hybrid note: you’re not servicing high-voltage parts here, but avoid orange HV cables and keep the car OFF with the key away from the car.
• 🔋 If you’ll unplug any sensor wiring (ABS/wheel speed) near the strut, disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal first.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 3/8"
• Torque wrench 1/2"
• Socket set 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, 22mm
• Wrench set 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm
• Allen key set 5mm, 6mm
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip tool
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Strut nut socket set (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount and bearing kit - If not included with struts - Qty: 2
• Front bump stops and dust boots - If not included with struts - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mount kit - If worn/corroded - Qty: 2
• Replacement self-locking nuts/bolts - As needed - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering straight, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
• Loosen wheel lug nuts with the car on the ground using a 19mm socket.
• If you’ll disconnect any suspension/brake wiring, disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Spray visible suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and wait 10 minutes.
• Plan an alignment after front struts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheels

• Lift the front (or rear) using a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) at the proper jacking point.
• Support with jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Remove lug nuts using a 19mm socket and remove the wheel.
• Torque to Honda spec when reinstalling lug nuts.

Step 2: Choose your path (Front struts or Rear shocks)

• If you’re replacing the front: continue to Steps 3–9 (Front Struts).
• If you’re replacing the rear: skip to Steps 10–14 (Rear Shocks).

Step 3: Front - Unclip lines and wiring from the strut

• Remove any brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket (varies by bracket).
• Use a trim clip tool to release plastic clips without breaking them.
• Do not let the caliper hose carry weight.

Step 4: Front - Disconnect the sway bar end link (if attached to strut)

• Hold the stud with an Allen key 5mm or 6mm if it spins.
• Remove the nut using a 14mm wrench (common) or the size that fits your end-link nut.
• Torque to Honda spec during reassembly.

Step 5: Front - Mark camber position (if equipped)

• If the strut-to-knuckle bolts appear cammed/offset, mark the relationship between the strut and knuckle using a paint marker.
• This helps keep alignment closer until you get a professional alignment.

Step 6: Front - Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the knuckle lightly with a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) so it doesn’t drop.
• Remove the lower strut bolts/nuts using a breaker bar 1/2" with 17mm/19mm/22mm sockets (use the size that fits).
• Tap bolts out carefully using a hammer if needed.
• Torque to Honda spec on reassembly.

Step 7: Front - Remove the strut assembly from the tower

• Open the hood.
• Remove the upper strut mount nuts using a 14mm socket (typical) while holding the strut so it doesn’t fall.
• Remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.
• Torque to Honda spec for upper mount nuts on reassembly.

Step 8: Front - Swap parts (two options)

• Option A (Recommended): Install complete quick-strut assembly
• Place the new assembly into the tower, start the top nuts by hand.
• Option B: Reuse your spring (requires spring compressor)
• Use a spring compressor (specialty) to compress the spring evenly on both sides.
• Remove the center shaft nut using a strut nut socket set (specialty) and a torque wrench for reassembly.
• Transfer the mount/bearing, boot, and bump stop to the new strut.
• Release the spring compressor slowly and evenly.

Step 9: Front - Reinstall and reattach everything

• Align the strut to the knuckle and install bolts using the correct 17mm/19mm/22mm sockets.
• Reattach sway bar end link using a 14mm wrench and Allen key 5mm/6mm as needed.
• Reinstall brackets/clips using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket.
• Torque to Honda spec for all fasteners removed.

Step 10: Rear - Access rear shock upper mount

• Open the trunk and remove the side trim panels as needed using a trim clip tool.
• Locate the rear shock upper mount nuts.
• Loosen (do not fully remove yet) upper nuts using a 14mm socket (typical).
• Torque to Honda spec on reassembly.

Step 11: Rear - Remove lower shock bolt

• Support the rear suspension arm slightly using a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a 17mm socket or 19mm socket (use the size that fits).
• Torque to Honda spec on reassembly.

Step 12: Rear - Remove the shock

• Remove the upper mount nuts fully using a 14mm socket.
• Pull the shock out from below.

Step 13: Rear - Transfer mounts/bushings (if required)

• If your new shocks don’t include mounts/bushings, transfer them from the old shock.
• Use a wrench set 14mm, 17mm to remove the shaft nut if needed.
• Torque to Honda spec for the shaft nut.

Step 14: Rear - Reinstall with suspension at ride height

• Install the shock, start the upper nuts by hand using a 14mm socket.
• Install the lower bolt using a 17mm socket or 19mm socket.
• Raise the suspension arm with the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) until it’s near normal ride height, then tighten lower hardware.
• Torque to Honda spec for upper and lower fasteners.

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✅ After Repair

• Reinstall wheels and tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car and re-check lug nut tightness; Torque to Honda spec.
• Test drive slowly first; listen for clunks and verify steering is centered.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment after front strut replacement.
• If you disconnected the battery, reconnect it using a 10mm socket and reset clock/radio settings if needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹18,000-₹45,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹8,000-₹30,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹10,000-₹15,000+ by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹1,000-₹2,500/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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