🔧 Altima - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair replaces the rear shock absorbers on your Altima. Rear shocks control bounce and help keep the rear tires planted, improving ride comfort, handling, and tire wear.

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

Assumption: This guide is for the rear shock absorbers. The front suspension on your Altima uses strut assemblies, not separate shock absorbers.

---

⚠️ 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.
• ⚠️ Support the rear suspension arm before removing the lower shock bolt so the arm does not drop suddenly.
• ⚠️ Keep your hands away from pinch points around the rear suspension.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 14mm box-end wrench
• 17mm box-end wrench
• 18mm box-end wrench
• Flat trim removal tool
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Penetrating oil spray
• Shop light
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

---

🔩 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

Replace in pairs: Replace both rear shocks together so the suspension works evenly side to side.

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground.
• Shift the CVT into Park.
• Set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Open the trunk and remove loose cargo.
• Use penetrating oil spray on the lower shock bolts and let it soak for several minutes.

---

🔨 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 lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Lift the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at an approved rear jacking point.
• Raise the rear of your Altima high enough to place the jack stands.
• Place the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under approved rear support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently push the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Lay the wheels flat so they cannot roll.

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mounts

• Open the trunk.
• Use the flat trim removal tool to gently pull back the side trunk trim near the shock tower.
• The shock tower is the reinforced body area where the top of the shock attaches.
• Use the shop light to find the upper shock mounting nuts.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the rear suspension arm near the lower shock mount.
• Raise the jack only until it lightly supports the arm.
• Do not lift your Altima off the jack stand.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the 18mm socket with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench on the lower shock bolt.
• Use the 18mm box-end wrench to hold the nut if it spins.
• If the bolt is stuck, use the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar.
• Remove the lower shock bolt and nut.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Mounting Nuts

• Inside the trunk, use the 14mm socket with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Use the 14mm box-end wrench if access is tight.
• Hold the shock with one hand as the last nut comes off.
• Remove the shock absorber from your Altima.

Step 8: Compare the New Shock to the Old Shock

• Place the old shock and new shock side by side.
• Make sure the length, top mount, and lower mounting eyelet match.
• The eyelet is the round hole at the bottom where the bolt goes through.

Step 9: Install the New Shock at the Top

• Position the new shock into the upper mounting area.
• Install the upper mounting nuts by hand first.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to snug the nuts lightly.
• Do not fully tighten yet.

Step 10: Line Up the Lower Shock Mount

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise or lower the rear suspension arm slightly.
• Line up the lower shock eyelet with the mounting bracket.
• Slide the lower bolt through by hand.
• Install the nut by hand first.
• Hand-start bolts to avoid damage.

Step 11: Tighten the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the 18mm socket and 18mm box-end wrench to snug the lower shock bolt.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench with the 18mm socket to final tighten it.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Tighten the Upper Shock Nuts

• Inside the trunk, use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench with the 14mm socket.
• Tighten the upper shock mounting nuts evenly.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the other rear suspension arm.
• Repeat Steps 6 through 12 on the other rear shock.
• Use the same torque specs on both sides.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Put each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel instead of going around in a circle.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima fully to the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench with the 21mm lug nut socket.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Reinstall the Trunk Trim

• Use your hands and the flat trim removal tool to set the trunk trim back into place.
• Make sure the trim clips are seated and the trunk area is clear.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Push down on each rear corner of your Altima. It should rise back up and settle quickly.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive on a smooth road first.
• ✅ Listen for rear clunks, rattles, or knocking sounds.
• ✅ If you hear a clunk, stop and recheck the upper and lower shock fasteners.
• ✅ Recheck rear lug nut torque after the first short drive using the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket.
• ✅ Alignment is normally not required after rear shock-only replacement, but inspect tire wear if the vehicle still feels unstable.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $210-$330 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.