🔧 Fit - Shock/Strut Replacement (Front Struts + Rear Shocks)

Your Fit uses front MacPherson struts (spring + shock as one unit) and rear shocks (separate from the rear springs). Replacing worn dampers restores ride control, braking stability, and reduces bouncing/uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-8 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under a car supported only by a jack—use jack stands on solid ground.
• ⚠️ Front struts require a coil spring compressor; the spring stores high energy and can cause severe injury if released suddenly.
• ⚠️ Keep hands/face out of the spring’s “line of fire” while compressing.
• ⚠️ After front strut replacement, you should get a 4-wheel alignment.
• ⚠️ If any fastener feels like it’s stripping or cross-threading, stop and correct it.

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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 (1/2")
• Torque wrench (3/8")
• Socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Wrench set (10mm-19mm)
• Deep socket set (10mm-19mm)
• 6mm hex key socket
• Pry bar (12"-18")
• Flat trim tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Rubber mallet
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kits - If not included with assemblies - Qty: 2
• Front strut dust boot + bump stop kits - If not included - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper bushings/hardware kit - If not included - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Loosen wheel lug nuts slightly with a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on front strut-to-knuckle bolts and rear shock bolts.
• If you’re using complete strut assemblies, you can skip spring-compressing (much safer for first-timers).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheels

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the center jacking point, then support with jack stands.
• Remove the front wheels using a 19mm socket.
• Repeat for the rear when you’re ready to do the rear shocks.

Step 2: Remove the front strut from the car (one side at a time)

• On the strut body, remove the brake hose/ABS wire brackets using a 10mm socket (or 12mm socket depending on bracket).
• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship of the strut to the steering knuckle. Helps keep alignment closer.
• Remove the sway bar end link nut from the strut bracket using a 14mm wrench and hold the stud with a 6mm hex key socket if it spins.
• Support the steering knuckle lightly with a floor jack.
• Remove the two strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Under the hood, remove the strut mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Lower and remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.

Step 3: Swap to new front strut (complete assembly recommended)

• If you bought complete strut assemblies, install them as-is and skip to Step 4.
• If reusing springs: use a coil spring compressor (specialty) (a tool that squeezes the spring shorter so it’s not pushing on the top nut).
• Compress the spring evenly, alternating sides with a ratchet and socket set until the spring is loose at the top mount.
• Remove the strut shaft nut using a pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty).
• Transfer spring, dust boot, bump stop, and top mount to the new strut, then tighten the shaft nut securely (torque varies by strut manufacturer—follow the part instructions).
• Slowly release the spring compressor, ensuring the spring ends sit correctly in their seats.

Step 4: Reinstall the front strut

• Position the strut in the tower and hand-start the top nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Align the strut to the knuckle using your paint marks and install the two lower bolts/nuts using a 17mm socket.
• Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Torque strut mount nuts to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• Reattach sway bar end link using a 14mm wrench and 6mm hex key socket.
• Torque sway bar end link nut to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket.
• Double-check the hose isn’t twisted.

Step 5: Replace the rear shocks

• Lift the rear with a floor jack and support with jack stands, then remove rear wheels using a 19mm socket.
• Support the rear suspension arm slightly with a floor jack so the shock isn’t under tension.
• Remove the lower rear shock bolt using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Access the upper rear shock mount inside the cargo area (you may need to pull back trim) using a flat trim tool.
• Remove the upper shock nut using a 14mm socket (hold the shaft if required per shock design).
• Remove the old shock and install the new shock in the same orientation.
• Hand-start the upper nut, then install the lower bolt.
• Torque rear lower shock bolt to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).
• Torque rear upper shock nut to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car and final-tighten lug nuts with a torque wrench (1/2").
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• 🔍 Do a slow test drive and listen for clunks over bumps.
• Recheck lug nut torque using a torque wrench (1/2") after 25–50 miles.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible (front struts affect alignment).
• If the steering wheel is off-center or it pulls, don’t delay the alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $300-$900 (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 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.