🔧 Tucson - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This guide covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your Tucson. The rear shocks control bounce and keep the tires planted, so worn shocks can cause a rough ride, extra body movement, tire cupping, or longer stopping distances.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack by itself.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands to support your Tucson before working underneath it. Jack stands are metal safety supports that hold the vehicle after lifting.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shocks in pairs, even if only one is leaking or weak.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• 17mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm socket
• 19mm wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• Small pry bar
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorber mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tucson on level ground and apply the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔩 Spray penetrating oil on the upper and lower rear shock bolts and let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• 🛞 Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• 📌 A breaker bar is a long handle used to loosen tight bolts with less effort.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Tucson at the rear center lift point or approved rear subframe area.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the approved rear side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and gently shake the body to confirm it is stable.
• Keep the floor jack lightly supporting the rear suspension area as extra backup, but do not rely on it alone.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an added safety backup.

Step 4: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear lower control arm near the shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• The lower control arm is the metal suspension arm that the bottom of the shock attaches to.

Step 5: Clean the Shock Mounting Bolts

• Use the wire brush to clean dirt and rust from the upper and lower shock mounting bolts.
• Apply penetrating oil again if the bolts look rusty.
• Let it sit a few minutes before loosening the bolts.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the 17mm socket with the ratchet 1/2-inch drive on the lower shock bolt.
• If the nut turns with the bolt, hold the nut with the 17mm wrench.
• Remove the lower shock bolt and nut.
• If the shock is stuck in the mount, use the small pry bar gently to free it.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Bolt

• Use the 19mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to loosen the upper shock bolt.
• If needed, hold the opposite side with the 19mm wrench.
• Support the shock with one hand as you remove the last bolt.
• Remove the old shock absorber from your Tucson.

Step 8: Compare the Old and New Shock

• Place the old and new rear shock absorbers side by side.
• Confirm the length, mounting eyes, bushings, and sleeve sizes match.
• If the new shock has a shipping strap, do not cut it until you are ready to line it up.

Step 9: Install the New Upper Shock Mount

• Position the new shock absorber in the upper mount by hand.
• Install the upper bolt and nut finger-tight first.
• Use the 19mm socket and 19mm wrench only to snug it lightly for now.
• Do not fully torque the bolt yet.

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Mount

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to gently raise or lower the rear lower control arm until the shock lines up with the lower mount.
• Install the lower bolt and nut by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to snug the lower bolt.
• Hand-start bolts every time.

Step 11: Torque the Shock Bolts

• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 19mm socket to tighten the upper shock bolt to Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 17mm socket to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).
• Torque means tightening a bolt to a measured amount so it is secure without being over-tightened.

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to support the opposite rear lower control arm.
• Repeat Steps 5 through 11 on the other rear shock absorber.
• Always replace both rear shocks so the suspension responds evenly.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back on the hub.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift your Tucson slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce-test the rear of your Tucson by pushing down firmly on the rear body and letting go. It should rise and settle quickly.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive over a smooth road first, then over small bumps. Listen for clunks or rattles.
• ✅ Recheck the rear shock bolts visually after the test drive.
• ✅ Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ If the vehicle pulls, feels unstable, or the tires are worn unevenly, get a wheel alignment inspection.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$220 (parts only)

You Save: $260-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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