🔧 Murano - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Murano, the rear suspension uses separate shock absorbers. The front uses struts (a shock + spring assembly), which is a different job and usually needs an alignment afterward.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours (rear pair)

Assumption: You mean the rear shocks (most common “shock absorber” request).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the Murano on jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🛑 Keep your hands clear when supporting the suspension arm—parts can shift when bolts come out.
• 🛑 Wear safety glasses; dirt and rust fall straight down.
• 🛑 Do one side at a time so the other side helps keep the axle/suspension positioned.
• 🛑 Battery disconnect is not required for rear shocks.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set 3/8" and 1/2" drive (10mm-21mm)
• Wrench set (10mm-21mm)
• Pry bar 18"
• Trim clip remover tool
• Phillips screwdriver #2
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mount hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Rear shock dust boot and bump stop kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to P, and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Spray shock mounting fasteners with penetrating oil and let it soak 5–10 minutes.
• Tip: Replace shocks in pairs for balanced handling.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the approved rear center jack point.
• Set the Murano onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the rear pinch welds or approved support points.
• Remove the rear wheel using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Support the rear suspension arm

• Place the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear lower control arm (near the shock area) and raise it slightly to “hold” the suspension.
• Tip: This prevents a sudden drop when bolts come out.

Step 3: Remove access panels/liners (if needed)

• If the upper shock mount nuts are behind trim, remove clips using a trim clip remover tool and screws with a Phillips screwdriver #2.
• Some builds access the upper mount from the wheel well/liner; remove fasteners using a 10mm socket and trim clip remover tool as needed.

Step 4: Remove the lower shock bolt

• Mark the bolt/nut position with a paint marker.
• Hold the nut with a wrench (17mm-21mm as needed) and remove the bolt using a socket (17mm-21mm as needed) and breaker bar 1/2".
• If the bolt is tight in the bushing sleeve, use a pry bar 18" to gently work it free.
• Torque on install: Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the upper shock mount nuts

• Support the shock with one hand.
• Remove the upper mount nuts using a 14mm socket (commonly used size) and ratchet.
• Lower and remove the shock.
• Torque on install: Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Transfer/replace boots and bump stops

• If your new shock doesn’t include them, transfer the dust boot/bump stop to the new shock by hand.
• If replacing mounts, assemble them in the same order as removed.
• Tip: Take a quick photo before disassembly.

Step 7: Install the new shock (upper first)

• Position the new shock and start the upper nuts by hand.
• Tighten the upper nuts evenly using a 14mm socket.
• Torque: Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Install the lower bolt and tighten at normal ride height

• Line up the lower shock eye with the bracket by raising/lowering the suspension slightly using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Install the lower bolt and nut using the correct socket (17mm-21mm as needed) and wrench (17mm-21mm as needed).
• Raise the suspension with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) until it’s close to normal ride height, then final-tighten.
• Torque: Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs)
• Tip: Tightening at ride height helps bushing life.

Step 9: Reinstall liners/trim and wheel

• Reinstall any wheel well liner/trim using a 10mm socket, Phillips screwdriver #2, and trim clip remover tool as needed.
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Murano off jack stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench 1/2".
• Torque: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 1–9 on the opposite rear wheel.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔍 Test drive on a smooth road first. Listen for clunks over small bumps.
• 🔍 Recheck lug nut torque using a torque wrench 1/2" after 25–50 miles.
• 🧰 If you replaced front struts (not rear shocks), plan for a 4-wheel alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$1,200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$500 (parts only)

You Save: $420-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 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.