🔧 Canyon - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Canyon, the rear uses separate shock absorbers, while the front suspension uses a strut assembly (a shock with a coil spring around it). Rear shocks are straightforward; front struts are more involved and typically require an alignment afterward.

Difficulty Level: Rear: Beginner–Intermediate / Front: Advanced | Estimated Time: Rear: 1–2 hours (both) / Front: 3–6 hours (both)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack; use jack stands.
• ⚠️ If doing front struts, avoid disassembling the coil spring unless you are trained—use a complete strut assembly or a shop spring compressor.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of suspension pinch points while raising/lowering the axle or control arm.
• ⚠️ If you remove front struts, get a professional alignment after reassembly.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 10–200 ft-lbs
• Socket set 8mm–24mm (1/2" drive)
• Wrench set 8mm–24mm
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Pry bar
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front complete strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the wheels that will stay on the ground using wheel chocks.
• Loosen lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting using a breaker bar and correct lug socket.
• Spray shock/strut fasteners with penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
• If doing the front: plan for an alignment after the repair.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm what you’re replacing (rear shocks vs front struts)

• If you’re doing the rear: follow Steps 2–6.
• If you’re doing the front: follow Steps 7–14.
• Rear is easier for first-timers.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear

• Chock the front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Lift the rear at the differential using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the frame on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum), then lightly support the axle with the floor jack.
• Remove both rear wheels using your lug socket and breaker bar.

Step 3: Remove the lower rear shock bolt

• Support the axle height with the floor jack so the bolt isn’t in a bind.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using the correct socket and wrench.

Step 4: Remove the upper rear shock fastener

• Remove the upper shock fastener using the correct socket and wrench.
• Pull the shock out by hand; use a pry bar if it’s stuck.

Step 5: Install the new rear shock

• Position the new shock the same way as the old one (match the bushings/sleeves).
• Start upper and lower fasteners by hand using your wrench and socket.
• Snug fasteners but do not final-torque yet using a ratchet.

Step 6: Final-torque rear shock fasteners at normal ride height

• Raise the axle with the floor jack until the truck is close to normal ride height (shocks not stretched).
• Torque the rear shock fasteners using a torque wrench:
  • Lower shock bolt: Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs)
  • Upper shock fastener: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Reinstall wheels using your lug socket. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Lift and support the front (front struts)

• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support the frame with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove front wheels using your lug socket and breaker bar.

Step 8: Remove components attached to the strut

• Remove any brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using the correct socket.
• If needed for clearance, disconnect the sway bar end link from the strut using the correct socket and wrench.
• Do not pull on ABS wires.

Step 9: Mark the strut-to-knuckle position

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and steering knuckle.
• This helps keep alignment close enough to drive to the alignment shop.

Step 10: Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the lower control arm/knuckle area with a floor jack so it doesn’t drop.
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts using a breaker bar, correct socket, and wrench.

Step 11: Remove the upper strut mount nuts

• Open the hood.
• Remove the upper strut mount nuts using the correct socket.
• Hold the strut as you remove the last nut, then lift the strut assembly out.

Step 12: Install the new front strut assembly

• Install the new strut into the tower and start the upper nuts by hand using your socket.
• Align the lower strut holes to the knuckle and install bolts/nuts by hand using your socket and wrench.
• Hand-start all threads first.

Step 13: Torque the front fasteners

• Torque upper strut mount nuts using a torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts using a torque wrench: Torque to 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs)
• If removed, torque sway bar end link nut using a torque wrench: Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)
• Reinstall brackets using the correct socket and torque to snug (small fasteners).

Step 14: Reinstall wheels and lower the truck

• Reinstall wheels using your lug socket.
• Lower the truck and torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive slowly over small bumps and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Re-check that brake hose/ABS wiring is clipped and not rubbing.
• If you replaced front struts: schedule a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• After 50–100 km, re-check lug nut torque using a torque wrench: 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹12,000–₹30,000 (rear pair) / ₹25,000–₹60,000 (front pair, plus alignment)

DIY Cost: ₹6,000–₹18,000 (rear parts) / ₹15,000–₹45,000 (front parts) + alignment

You Save: ₹5,000–₹20,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹1,000–₹2,500/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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