🔧 Malibu - Shock/Strut Replacement

Your Malibu uses rear shock absorbers and front strut assemblies (a strut is a shock with a coil spring around it). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, reduces bouncing, and helps tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate (rear) / Advanced (front) | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours (rear pair) / 3-5 hours (front pair)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands; never work under a jack.
• 🛑 For front struts, the coil spring is under high tension; use a spring compressor or install complete “quick struts.”
• 🛑 Keep hands clear of pinch points while lowering/raising the suspension arm.
• 🛑 If you replace front struts, get a 4-wheel alignment afterward.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not 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 3/8"
• Torque wrench 1/2"
• Socket set metric 8mm-24mm
• Wrench set metric 8mm-24mm
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Ratchet 1/2"
• Trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Pry bar
• 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:

• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - If not included with struts - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Optional recommended - Qty: 2 sets
• Rear shock mounting hardware - Optional recommended - Qty: 2 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in P, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks at the tires staying on the ground.
• Loosen wheel lug nuts slightly using a breaker bar and correct socket before lifting.
• Spray mounting bolts with penetrating oil and wait 5-10 minutes.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the end you’re working on at the proper jacking point.
• Set the car on jack stands and give it a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.
• Remove the wheels using a ratchet and correct socket.

Step 2: Rear shocks (recommended starting point)

• Rear shocks are simpler and safer.
• Support the rear suspension arm lightly with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop when the shock bolt comes out.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using an 18mm socket and breaker bar while holding the nut with an 18mm wrench if needed.
• Access the upper shock mount fasteners (typically inside the trunk/behind trim). Remove any covers using a trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver.
• Remove the upper shock mount nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Pull the shock out. You may need a pry bar to guide it free.
• Install the new rear shock in place and hand-start the upper nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Line up the lower mount by raising/lowering the suspension arm with the floor jack, then install the lower bolt using an 18mm socket.
• Tighten fasteners with a torque wrench: Upper shock mount nuts: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Lower shock bolt: Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs)

Step 3: Reassemble rear trim and repeat on the other side

• Reinstall trunk/liner trim using your trim clip tool.
• Repeat Step 2 on the other rear side. Replace shocks in pairs.

Step 4: Front struts (two options: quick strut vs spring swap)

• Quick struts avoid spring-compressor risk.
• Turn the steering to give yourself room, and mark the strut-to-knuckle relationship using a paint marker (helps keep alignment close).
• Disconnect the stabilizer (sway) bar end link from the strut using an 18mm socket and wrench as needed.
• Unclip any brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a socket (commonly 10mm) and a flathead screwdriver.
• Support the knuckle area lightly with the floor jack.
• Remove the two strut-to-knuckle bolts using a 21mm socket and breaker bar while holding the nut with a matching wrench.
• Under the hood, remove the strut mount nuts using a 13mm socket, then remove the strut assembly.

Step 5: If installing complete front strut assemblies (quick struts)

• Position the new assembly in the tower and hand-start the top nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Slide the knuckle into place and install the two lower bolts using a 21mm socket.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using an 18mm socket.
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS brackets using the correct socket.
• Final-tighten with a torque wrench: Upper strut mount nuts: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Final-tighten with a torque wrench: Strut-to-knuckle bolts: Torque to 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs)
• Final-tighten with a torque wrench: Sway bar end link nut: Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)

Step 6: If reusing springs (not recommended for first-timers)

• Install a spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring. Compress evenly until the spring is loose in the mount.
• Remove the center strut nut using a pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty).
• Move the spring and mount to the new strut, then tighten the center nut using the same specialty tools.
• Slowly release the spring compressor, making sure the spring seats correctly in the upper and lower perches.

Step 7: Wheels back on and lower the car

• Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts using a socket and ratchet.
• Lower the car from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Wheel lug nuts: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive at low speed first. Listen for clunks and confirm the steering feels normal.
• Recheck for any loose brackets, hose routing issues, or rubbing.
• If you replaced front struts, schedule a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• After 50-100 miles, recheck lug nut torque using a torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,800 (parts + labor, front + rear)

DIY Cost: $250-$900 (parts only, depends on quick struts vs shocks)

You Save: $650-$900 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-6 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.