🔧 Shock Absorbers - Replacement

This guide covers rear shock absorber replacement on your Sierra. The rear shocks control bounce and body motion; replacing worn ones helps restore ride quality and stability. Assumption: rear shocks only.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely with jack stands; never work under a vehicle held up by a jack alone.
• Keep hands clear when lowering or raising the axle. The suspension can shift suddenly.
• Use wheel chocks on the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.
• If a fastener is heavily rusted, stop and use penetrating oil before forcing it.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Penetrating oil
• Bolt brush

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorber set - Qty: 2
• Upper shock mounting hardware - Qty: 2
• Lower shock mounting hardware - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Loosen nothing yet if the truck is still on the ground; just inspect the fasteners first.
• Spray the upper and lower shock bolts with penetrating oil and let them soak.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear axle or rear frame area safely.
• Set the truck on jack stands and verify it is stable before going underneath.
• Leave the rear axle lightly supported by the jack if needed so the suspension height can be adjusted later.

Step 2: Remove the lower shock bolt

• Use the 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the lower shock bolt.
• If the bolt is tight, use the breaker bar for more leverage.
• Keep one hand on the shock.

Step 3: Remove the upper shock bolt

• Use the 15mm socket or the correct upper fastener size for your shock kit to remove the top mounting bolt.
• Pull the shock out of the mounting brackets once both ends are free.

Step 4: Install the new shock absorber

• Position the new shock in the same direction as the old one.
• Start the upper bolt by hand first, then install the lower bolt by hand.
• Do not fully tighten either end until both bolts are started.

Step 5: Torque the shock fasteners

• Use the torque wrench to tighten the upper and lower shock bolts to the factory service-manual specification for your shock hardware.
• Torque with suspension at normal ride height.

Step 6: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the opposite rear shock using the same steps.
• Always replace shocks in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Lower the truck and remove the jack stands.
• Test drive slowly over bumps and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Recheck the shock bolts after the test drive.
• Inspect the mounts for any sign of movement or leaks.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$700 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 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.