🔧 Escape - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This guide covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your Escape. The rear shocks control bounce and keep the tires planted, so worn shocks can cause poor ride control, extra tire wear, and longer stopping distance.

Assumption: “Shock absorbers” refers to the rear shocks. The front uses strut assemblies, which are a different repair.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack by itself.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands under the body pinch welds or proper lift points before going under your Escape.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so the left and right sides control bounce evenly.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen suspension arms unless instructed. This repair only replaces the shock absorbers.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for rear shock replacement.

---

🔧 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
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• 18mm wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2 - Replace in pairs
• Rear shock upper mounting hardware - Qty: 2 sets
• Rear shock lower mounting hardware - Qty: 2 sets

---

📋 Before You Begin

• ✅ Park your Escape on level ground and shift to Park.
• ✅ Set the parking brake.
• ✅ Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires. Wheel chocks are blocks that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• ✅ Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• ✅ Spray penetrating oil on the upper and lower shock bolts if they look rusty.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting for safety.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Escape at the rear center jacking point or a safe rear subframe lift point.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear side lift points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm 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 vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Shock Mounting Bolts

• Use a wire brush to clean dirt and rust from the upper and lower shock mounting bolts.
• Apply penetrating oil to the bolt threads and let it soak for a few minutes.
• The shock absorber is the vertical dampener between the rear suspension arm and the vehicle body.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear lower suspension arm near the shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to lightly support the arm.
• Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This prevents the arm from dropping suddenly.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use an 18mm socket, ratchet 1/2-inch drive, and 18mm wrench to remove the lower shock absorber bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is tight, use the breaker bar 1/2-inch drive with the 18mm socket.
• Slide the lower end of the shock out of the mounting bracket.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Bolts

• Use a 15mm socket, ratchet 1/2-inch drive, and 15mm wrench to remove the upper shock mounting bolts.
• Hold the shock with one hand while removing the final bolt so it does not fall.
• Remove the old shock absorber from your Escape.

Step 8: Compare the New Shock to the Old Shock

• Place the old and new rear shock absorbers side by side.
• Confirm the mounting ends, length, and bolt sleeve sizes match.
• If the new shock is shipped compressed, carefully release the retaining strap by hand after positioning it near the vehicle.

Step 9: Install the New Upper Shock Mount

• Position the new rear shock absorber in the upper mount.
• Use your fingers to start the upper bolts first. Starting by hand helps prevent cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by forcing the bolt in crooked.
• Use a 15mm socket, ratchet 1/2-inch drive, and 15mm wrench to snug the upper bolts.
• Do not fully torque the bolts yet.

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to raise or lower the rear suspension arm until the lower shock hole lines up.
• Slide the lower bolt through the shock and mount by hand.
• Install the nut by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket, ratchet 1/2-inch drive, and 18mm wrench to snug the lower bolt.

Step 11: Torque the Shock Mounting Bolts

• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 15mm socket to tighten the upper shock bolts to Torque to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).
• Torque means final measured tightness.

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to support the opposite rear suspension arm.
• Use the same 15mm socket, 18mm socket, 15mm wrench, and 18mm wrench to replace the other rear shock absorber.
• Torque the opposite side the same way: upper bolts to Torque to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs) and lower bolt to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Lift each wheel onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 19mm 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 the rear slightly and remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Lower your Escape fully to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each rear corner by hand. The body should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks over small bumps.
• ✅ After 10-20 miles, recheck the rear lug nuts with a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 19mm lug nut socket to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).
• ✅ Wheel alignment is usually not required for rear shock absorber replacement if no suspension arms were loosened.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $230-$350 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.

---

🎯 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.