🔧 Camry - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Camry, the rear uses separate shock absorbers, while the front uses struts (a strut is a shock that also supports the spring and affects alignment). Below are factory-style steps for replacing rear shocks and (if needed) front struts.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: Rear: 1.5–3 hours | Front: 3–6 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands on solid lift points; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep the car OFF and keep the key fob 10+ feet away so the hybrid system can’t wake up unexpectedly.
• ⚠️ If doing front struts: coil springs store serious energy—use a coil spring compressor correctly (it clamps the spring so it can’t expand).
• ⚠️ Do not pull/stretch brake hoses or ABS wires; unbolt brackets instead.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job, but avoid touching any orange high-voltage cables.

---

🔧 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 3/8" (10–100 ft-lb range)
• Torque wrench 1/2" (50–200 ft-lb range)
• Socket set (10mm–22mm)
• Wrench set (10mm–22mm)
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim removal tool
• Penetrating oil
• Pry bar
• Paint marker
• Allen key set (5mm–8mm)
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers (replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mount kit (recommended) - Qty: 2
• Rear shock dust boot & bump stop kit (recommended) - Qty: 2
• Front struts (if replacing fronts; replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount & bearing kit (recommended) - Qty: 2
• Front strut dust boot & bump stop kit (recommended) - Qty: 2
• Optional: Front complete strut assemblies (pre-assembled; no spring compressor) - Qty: 2

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the car OFF, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels.
• Crack the lug nuts loose with a 21mm socket before lifting (about 1/4 turn).
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock/strut bolts using penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
• If doing front struts, plan for a professional alignment afterward.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the car

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front or rear (depending on what you’re replacing).
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at proper support points.
• Remove the wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Rear shock replacement (rear of the car)

• Open the trunk and remove the side trim panels near each rear shock tower using a trim removal tool. Go slow to avoid breaking clips.
• Support the rear suspension arm with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) (light pressure only).
• Remove the lower shock bolt/nut using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench. Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lb) during reassembly.
• Remove the upper shock nuts in the trunk using a 14mm socket. Torque to 19 Nm (14 ft-lb) during reassembly.
• Remove the shock from the car. If it’s stuck, use a pry bar gently at the lower mount.
• Transfer/replace the upper mount, dust boot, and bump stop as needed using wrench set (10mm–22mm).
• Install the new shock: start the upper nuts by hand using a 14mm socket, then install the lower bolt using a 17mm socket.
• Final-tighten to spec with a torque wrench 3/8" / torque wrench 1/2": Upper 19 Nm (14 ft-lb), Lower 103 Nm (76 ft-lb).

Step 3: Front strut replacement (front of the car, if needed)

• In the engine bay, locate the strut mount nuts (top of each strut tower).
• At the wheel well, unbolt the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket (as equipped). Do not let hoses hang by tension.
• If the stabilizer (sway bar) end link is attached to the strut, remove the end link nut using a 17mm socket and hold the stud with an Allen key set (5mm–8mm) as needed. Torque to 74 Nm (55 ft-lb) during reassembly.
• Mark the strut-to-knuckle relationship with a paint marker so you can reinstall close to the original position.
• Remove the two large strut-to-steering-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and breaker bar 1/2". Torque to 177 Nm (131 ft-lb) during reassembly.
• Support the knuckle/hub so it doesn’t pull on the axle or hoses (use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the control arm lightly).
• Remove the three upper strut mount nuts using a 14mm socket, then remove the strut assembly. Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lb) during reassembly.
• If installing a bare strut (not a complete assembly): compress the spring evenly using a coil spring compressor (specialty) until it’s loose in the mount. Then remove the center nut using a 17mm socket while holding the shaft with an Allen key set (5mm–8mm) as needed. Keep hands clear of the spring path.
• Reassemble with the new strut, mount/bearing, boot, and bump stop. Slowly release the spring compressor.
• Install the strut back into the car: start the top nuts by hand, then install the lower bolts, then torque everything: Upper 39 Nm (29 ft-lb), Lower 177 Nm (131 ft-lb), End link 74 Nm (55 ft-lb).

Step 4: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Reinstall the wheels using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the car off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench 1/2": Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lb).

---

✅ After Repair

• Do a slow test drive and 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, get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Look under the car for any pulled/twisted ABS wires or brake hoses.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,900 (parts + labor, front + rear)

DIY Cost: $250-$900 (parts only, depending on struts vs complete assemblies)

You Save: $650-$1,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4–8 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.