🔧 Soul - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Soul, the rear suspension uses separate shock absorbers, while the front uses strut assemblies (a strut is a shock + spring together). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, reduces bouncing, and improves braking stability.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: Rear: 1.0–2.0 hours (both sides) | Front struts: 3.0–5.0 hours (both sides)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Never work under a car supported only by a jack—always use jack stands on solid, level ground.
• 🛞 Chock the wheels that stay on the ground with wheel chocks.
• 🔥 Suspension bolts can be tight—keep hands clear if a tool slips.
• 🧷 If you’re doing front struts, the coil spring is stored energy—use a coil spring compressor (a tool that safely compresses the spring before disassembly).
• 🔧 After front strut replacement, you should get a wheel alignment.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• Lug wrench or 21mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10–200 Nm range)
• Socket set: 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm
• Wrench set: 14mm, 17mm, 19mm
• Pry bar
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)
• Pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorber (Replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Rear upper shock nuts (recommended) - Qty: 4
• Front strut assembly (if doing fronts; Replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount kit (mount/bearing; recommended if reusing springs) - Qty: 2
• Front sway bar end link (optional if boots torn/loose) - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket before lifting.
• Spray the shock/strut bolts with penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
• If doing front struts, plan for an alignment after the job.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

REAR SHOCKS (most common “shock absorber” job)

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Chock the front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Lift the rear using a floor jack at the rear center jack point.
• Place jack stands under the rear side support points and lower the car onto them.
• Remove both rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Support the rear suspension arm

• Place the floor jack lightly under the rear suspension arm (near the shock lower mount) to hold it up.
• Tip: This prevents the bolt from binding.

Step 3: Remove the rear shock lower bolt

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the lower shock bolt.
• If the bolt is tight, use a pry bar to slightly line up the holes while turning the bolt out.

Step 4: Remove the rear shock upper nuts

• Open the rear hatch.
• Remove the rear cargo floor and side trim panels enough to access the shock towers using a trim clip tool.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the two upper nuts for that shock.

Step 5: Remove the shock and install the new one

• Pull the old shock out from below.
• Position the new shock in place.
• Start the upper nuts by hand using a 14mm socket (do not fully tighten yet).
• Raise/lower the suspension arm slightly with the floor jack to align the lower bolt hole.
• Install the lower bolt using a 17mm socket.

Step 6: Torque the rear shock hardware

• Torque the rear shock upper nuts using a torque wrench and 14mm socket: Torque to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).
• Torque the rear shock lower bolt using a torque wrench and 17mm socket: Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reassemble interior trim and wheels

• Reinstall the interior trim and clips by hand, then press them in fully.
• Reinstall wheels using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts using a torque wrench: Torque to 88–108 Nm (65–80 ft-lbs).

FRONT “SHOCKS” (these are struts on your Soul)

Step 8: Mark camber position before disassembly

• With the front wheel off, use a paint marker to mark the strut-to-knuckle bolt positions.
• Tip: Marks help keep alignment close.

Step 9: Disconnect the sway bar end link (if attached to strut)

• Use a 17mm wrench and 17mm socket to remove the end link nut.
• If the stud spins, hold it with a wrench while turning the nut.

Step 10: Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the steering knuckle with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop and stress the axle.
• Remove the two large bolts/nuts using a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and breaker bar.
• Torque on install later: Torque to 156 Nm (115 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Remove the strut top nuts and remove the strut

• Open the hood.
• Remove the strut mount nuts using a 14mm socket (leave one nut loosely started until you’re holding the strut).
• Remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.
• On install: Torque the strut mount nuts to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).

Step 12: If reusing springs, transfer spring to new strut

• Install the coil spring compressor (specialty) on the spring and compress evenly until the spring is loose in the seats.
• Remove the center shaft nut using a pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty).
• Move the spring and mount onto the new strut in the same orientation.
• Release the spring compressor slowly and evenly.

Step 13: Reinstall front strut and torque fasteners

• Install the strut into the tower and start the top nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Attach the knuckle to the strut and install the two bolts/nuts using a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench.
• Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts using a torque wrench: Torque to 156 Nm (115 ft-lbs).
• Torque sway bar end link nut using a torque wrench and 17mm socket: Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs).
• Torque strut mount nuts using a torque wrench and 14mm socket: Torque to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Do a short test drive on a smooth road. Listen for clunks over small bumps.
• Recheck for any loose hardware if you hear noise.
• If you replaced front struts, schedule a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Re-torque lug nuts after 50–100 km using a torque wrench: 88–108 Nm (65–80 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹8,000–₹18,000 (rear shocks pair) | ₹18,000–₹40,000 (front struts pair + alignment)

DIY Cost: ₹3,500–₹10,000 (rear shocks pair) | ₹10,000–₹28,000 (front struts pair, parts only)

You Save: ₹4,000–₹12,000 (rear) | ₹6,000–₹15,000 (front) by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800–₹2,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1–2 hours (rear) or 3–5 hours (front).

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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