🔧 Altima - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair replaces the rear shock absorbers on your Altima. The rear shocks control bounce at the back of the car, so replacing worn ones helps restore ride comfort, tire contact, and stability.

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

Assumption: This covers the rear shock absorbers. The front suspension uses struts, which are replaced differently.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under your Altima while it is supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands. Jack stands are metal supports that safely hold the vehicle after it is lifted.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels so the car cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Support the rear suspension arm before removing the lower shock bolt.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shocks in pairs for even handling.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not 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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• Ratchet wrench
• 18mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• 17mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Penetrating oil spray
• Rubber mallet
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mounting nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 2 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground.
• Shift the CVT into Park and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks firmly in front of and behind the front wheels.
• Open the trunk and remove loose cargo from the trunk floor.
• Spray penetrating oil spray on the lower rear shock bolts and let it soak for 5-10 minutes.
• No infotainment menu, scan tool command, EPB retraction, ADAS calibration, or battery registration is needed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet. The tires touching the ground keep the wheels from spinning.
• Tip: Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Lift the Rear of the Car

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Altima at the rear center lifting point.
• Place jack stands under the rear side support points.
• Lower the car slowly onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Gently push the vehicle by hand to make sure it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Move the Trunk Trim Aside

• Open the trunk fully.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic trunk liner clips near each rear shock tower.
• A trim clip removal tool is a small pry tool that helps remove plastic clips without breaking them.
• Use the flathead screwdriver gently if a clip is stuck.
• Pull the trunk side liner back enough to see the two upper shock mounting nuts on each side.
• Tip: Save clips in a cup.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack under the rear suspension arm near the lower shock mount.
• Raise the jack only until it lightly supports the arm.
• Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and ratchet wrench to remove the lower shock mounting nut and bolt.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar if the bolt is very tight.
• If the bolt sticks, tap it gently with the rubber mallet.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Nuts

• From inside the trunk, use the 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and ratchet wrench to remove the two upper shock mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock from below while removing the last nut.
• Lower the old shock absorber out through the wheel well.

Step 8: Install the New Shock Absorber

• Guide the new shock absorber into place by hand.
• Line up the upper studs with the holes in the body.
• Start the upper mounting nuts by hand first so the threads do not strip.
• Use the 17mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the upper nuts to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Attach the Lower Shock Mount

• Use the floor jack to gently raise or lower the suspension arm until the lower shock hole lines up.
• Slide the lower bolt through by hand.
• Install the nut by hand.
• Use the 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lower shock fastener to Torque to 110 Nm (81 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Start every bolt by hand.

Step 10: Replace the Other Rear Shock

• Move the floor jack to the other rear suspension arm.
• Repeat the same steps using the 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, 17mm socket, and 17mm wrench.
• Tighten the upper nuts to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Tighten the lower shock fastener to Torque to 110 Nm (81 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall the Trunk Trim

• Move the trunk side liners back into place.
• Use your fingers or the trim clip removal tool to reinstall the plastic clips.
• Make sure the trim is secure and not pinched around the shock mounts.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Install all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening one nut, then the one across from it, instead of going around in a circle.

Step 13: Lower the Car and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Altima fully to the ground using the floor jack.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Push down firmly on each rear corner of the car. It should come back up and settle quickly.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive over small bumps.
• ✅ Listen for clunks, rattles, or knocking noises.
• ✅ Recheck the trunk trim and make sure all clips are installed.
• ✅ After 25-50 miles, use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to recheck lug nut torque at Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).
• ✅ Alignment is usually not required after rear shock replacement unless your Altima already has pulling, uneven tire wear, or steering wheel off-center symptoms.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $90-$250 (parts only)

You Save: $260-$400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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