🔧 Highlander - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Highlander, the rear shock absorbers are separate from the rear coil springs, so they can be replaced without compressing the springs. Replace both rear shocks together so the suspension stays balanced side-to-side.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs. Do not replace only one side unless it is an emergency repair.
• ⚠️ Support your Highlander with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Keep the rear suspension supported when removing the lower shock bolt so the suspension does not drop suddenly.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen or remove the rear coil spring. This repair does not require spring removal.
• ⚠️ If the shock is oil-soaked, broken, or the mounting hardware is heavily rusted, wear safety glasses and gloves.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 1/2-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch extension set
• Torque wrench 20-200 ft-lbs
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Trim removal tool
• Penetrating oil
• Rubber mallet
• 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 if not included
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts/nuts - Qty: 2 if corroded or damaged

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Highlander on level ground.
• Put the transmission in Park and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Spray penetrating oil on the rear shock upper nuts and lower bolts. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• A shock absorber controls bouncing after bumps. It does not hold the vehicle up; the spring does that.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Highlander.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Leave the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum available to support the rear suspension arm later.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels by hand and place them flat under the vehicle edge as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Access the Rear Shock Mounts

• Look behind the rear wheel area to locate the shock absorber. It is the vertical tube mounted between the body and lower suspension arm.
• Use a trim removal tool to move any small plastic liner clips if they block the upper shock nuts.
• Do not remove the rear coil spring.

Step 5: Support the Lower Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the lower suspension arm near the shock mount.
• Raise the jack just until it supports the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This keeps the suspension from dropping when the shock bolt is removed.

Step 6: Mark the Shock Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the direction of the old shock and the position of any washers or bushings.
• This helps you install the new shock in the same orientation.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar on the lower shock bolt.
• Use a 17mm wrench on the nut if it spins.
• Remove the lower bolt and nut by hand once loose.
• If the bolt is stuck, use penetrating oil and tap the bolt lightly with a rubber mallet.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Shock Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket, 1/2-inch ratchet, and 1/2-inch extension set to remove the two upper shock mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock with one hand while removing the last nut so it does not fall.
• Remove the old shock absorber from the wheel well.

Step 9: Compare the New Shock to the Old Shock

• Place the old and new rear shock absorbers side by side.
• Check that the upper studs, lower bushing, and overall length match.
• If the new shock has a shipping strap, leave it on until the shock is positioned, unless the instructions say otherwise.
• Match parts before installing.

Step 10: Install the New Shock Upper Mount

• Guide the new shock into place by hand with the upper studs through the body mount.
• Install the upper mounting nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 20-200 ft-lbs to tighten the upper shock nuts to Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Align the Lower Shock Mount

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise or lower the suspension arm slightly until the lower shock eye lines up with the mounting hole.
• Install the lower shock bolt by hand.
• If needed, gently tap the bolt through with a rubber mallet.

Step 12: Tighten the Lower Shock Bolt at Ride Height

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the lower suspension arm until it is close to normal ride height.
• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to snug the lower shock bolt.
• Use a torque wrench 20-200 ft-lbs to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).
• Ride height means the suspension is positioned close to where it sits when the vehicle is on the ground.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same 14mm socket, 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, floor jack rated 3-ton minimum, and torque wrench 20-200 ft-lbs to replace the other rear shock absorber.
• Keep the left and right hardware organized.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel from one lug nut to the opposite one so the wheel seats evenly.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Highlander fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench 20-200 ft-lbs to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Push down firmly on the rear bumper once. Your Highlander should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• Drive slowly over a small bump and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Recheck the lower shock bolts and upper nuts after the short test drive if anything sounds loose.
• An alignment is usually not required for rear shock replacement only, but get one if tire wear or pulling was already 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 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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