🔧 Forester - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Forester, the rear shock absorbers are separate from the rear coil springs and can be replaced without removing the spring. Replacing worn shocks helps restore ride control, reduce bouncing, and improve tire contact with the road.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your Forester supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• 🛞 Chock the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves. Rusty suspension bolts can break loose suddenly.
• ⚠️ Replace shock absorbers in pairs on the same axle for even handling.
• 🔧 Do not loosen coil spring or control arm bolts unless instructed. The spring is under load.
• 🚫 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 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench rated 150 ft-lbs
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 6-inch extension
• Trim removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Rear shock upper mounting hardware - Qty: 2 sets
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts/nuts - Qty: 2 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Forester on a flat, solid surface.
• 🅿️ Set the parking brake and place the manual transmission in 1st gear.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels.
• 🔧 A shock absorber controls bouncing. It does not hold up the vehicle’s weight like a spring does.
• 💧 Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock bolts and let it soak for 10-15 minutes if they look rusty.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the rear center jacking point or rear differential support area.
• Raise the rear of your Forester high enough to remove both rear wheels.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the rear side pinch welds or approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels by hand.
• Slide one wheel under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mounts

• Open the rear liftgate.
• Use a trim removal tool to lift or move the rear cargo floor trim as needed.
• Use a trim removal tool or flat-blade screwdriver to remove the small side access covers near the rear wheel well area.
• Locate the upper shock absorber mounting nuts inside the cargo side area.
• A mounting nut holds the top of the shock to the vehicle body.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack under the rear lower control arm near the shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to lightly support the arm.
• Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This support keeps the suspension from dropping suddenly when the shock is removed.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a wire brush to clean the exposed threads on the lower shock bolt.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower bolt if rust is present.
• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar on the bolt head.
• Use a 17mm wrench on the nut if the nut turns with the bolt.
• Remove the lower bolt and nut completely.
• If the bolt sticks, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket, ratchet, and 6-inch extension to remove the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock body by hand from below if it starts to drop.
• Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
• Repeat the same process on the other side.

Step 8: Compare the Old and New Shocks

• Place the old and new rear shock absorbers side by side.
• Confirm the mounting ends, length, and bracket positions match.
• If your new shocks came with bushings, washers, or sleeves, install them in the same order as supplied.
• A bushing is a rubber cushion that reduces noise and vibration at the mount.

Step 9: Install the New Shock Upper Mount

• Guide the new shock absorber into place by hand.
• Insert the upper studs through the body mount holes.
• Install the upper mounting nuts by hand first so they do not cross-thread.
• Use a 14mm socket, ratchet, and 6-inch extension to snug the upper nuts.
• Do not fully torque them yet.

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the rear lower control arm until the shock eye lines up with the mount.
• Slide the lower shock bolt through by hand.
• Install the lower nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to snug the lower shock bolt.
• Repeat on the other side.

Step 11: Torque the Shock Fasteners

• Use the floor jack to slightly load the rear lower control arm to normal ride height before final tightening.
• Use a torque wrench rated 150 ft-lbs with a 17mm socket on the lower shock bolt.
• Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench with a 14mm socket on the upper shock nuts.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).
• Final torque with suspension loaded.

Step 12: Reinstall Interior Trim

• Use your hands to reinstall the cargo side access covers.
• Use a trim removal tool only if a clip needs help lining up.
• Reinstall the cargo floor trim by hand.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Thread the lug nuts on by hand first.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise your Forester slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench rated 150 ft-lbs and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each rear corner by hand. The body should settle quickly instead of continuing to bounce.
• 👂 Drive slowly over a small bump and listen for clunks or rattles.
• 🔧 Recheck the lower shock bolts and lug nuts after a short test drive.
• 🛞 A wheel alignment is not normally required for rear shock replacement only, but get one if the vehicle pulls or tires are wearing unevenly.
• ⚠️ If the rear feels unstable, stop driving and recheck all mounting hardware.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $230-$350 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 hours.

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