🔧 Altima - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Altima, the rear shock absorbers control bounce and keep the rear tires planted over bumps. This repair replaces the rear shocks as a pair; if you are working on the front, those are complete strut assemblies, not simple shock absorbers.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so the suspension works evenly.
• 🚗 Support your Altima with jack stands before working underneath. Never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves. Suspension bolts can release suddenly when loosened.
• 🔩 Do not remove rear suspension springs for this repair.
• 📏 Final tightening of suspension bolts should be done with the suspension at normal ride height when possible.

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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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Socket extension 6-inch 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 18mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• 19mm socket
• 19mm wrench
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver 6-inch
• Penetrating oil aerosol can
• Rubber mallet 16-ounce
• Paint marker
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2 - Replace in pairs
• Rear shock upper mounting nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 2 sets
• Rear shock dust boots and bump stops - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on a flat, solid surface.
• Set the parking brake and place the shifter in Park.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Open the trunk and remove cargo from the trunk floor.
• Use penetrating oil aerosol can on the lower shock bolts if they look rusty.
• A shock absorber is the tube-shaped suspension part that slows bouncing after a bump.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm 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 while tires touch ground.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the rear center jacking point or approved rear support point.
• Raise the rear of your Altima high enough to remove both rear wheels.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before working near the suspension.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels by hand.
• Slide the wheels under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mounts

• Open the trunk.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove the rear trunk side trim clips near the shock tower area.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver 6-inch carefully if a clip needs gentle prying.
• Pull back the trunk side trim enough to see the upper shock mounting nuts.
• The shock tower is the body area where the top of the shock bolts to the car.

Step 5: Mark the Old Shock Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the position of the lower shock mount and bolt direction.
• This helps you reinstall the new shock in the same orientation.

Step 6: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum lightly under the rear suspension arm near the lower shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This prevents the arm from dropping when the shock bolt is removed.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use an 18mm socket with the ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive on the bolt head.
• Use an 18mm wrench to hold the nut if the nut turns.
• Remove the lower shock bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is stuck, use penetrating oil aerosol can and tap gently with a rubber mallet 16-ounce.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Shock Mount Nuts

• Hold the shock body with one hand so it does not drop.
• Use a 19mm socket, socket extension 6-inch 1/2-inch drive, and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the upper shock mounting nuts.
• If the stud or nut spins, use a 19mm wrench to help control the hardware if accessible.
• Remove the old shock absorber from the vehicle by hand.

Step 9: Prepare the New Shock Absorber

• Compare the new shock absorber to the old one by hand before installing it.
• Make sure the mounting ends, length, and brackets match.
• Install the new rear shock dust boot and bump stop if they are separate.
• A bump stop is a rubber cushion that prevents metal-to-metal contact on big bumps.
• Compress and extend the new shock by hand 3-5 times before installation if the manufacturer instructions say to prime it.

Step 10: Install the New Shock Upper Mount

• Position the new shock absorber into the upper mount by hand.
• Start the new upper mounting nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 19mm socket, socket extension 6-inch 1/2-inch drive, and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the upper nuts.
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 19mm socket to tighten the upper shock mounting nuts to Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Raise or lower the rear suspension arm slightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum until the lower shock eye lines up with the mounting hole.
• Install the new lower bolt and nut by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to snug the lower bolt.
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive, 18mm socket, and 18mm wrench to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 110 Nm (81 ft-lbs).
• If possible, do final tightening with the suspension supported near normal ride height.

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to support the opposite rear suspension arm.
• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 using the same tools.
• Replace both rear shocks even if only one looks worn.

Step 13: Reinstall the Trunk Trim

• Push the trunk side trim back into position by hand.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to align any stubborn clips.
• Press the clips back in by hand until seated flat.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

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

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift your Altima slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Push down on each rear corner of your Altima by hand. The body should settle quickly without bouncing repeatedly.
• Take a slow test drive over a smooth road first, then over small bumps.
• Listen for clunks. A clunk usually means a mount or bolt is loose.
• Recheck the lower shock bolts and lug nut torque after the test drive.
• An alignment is usually not required for rear shock replacement only, but get one if tire wear or pulling is present.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $330-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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