🔧 Fusion - Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your Fusion. The front suspension uses struts, not separate shock absorbers, so “shock absorber replacement” usually means the rear shocks.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Fusion is a plug-in hybrid, but this rear shock job does not require touching the high-voltage battery system.
• ⚠️ Do not work under the vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shocks in pairs so the suspension stays balanced side-to-side.
• ⚠️ Keep the parking brake applied and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• ⚠️ Do not remove orange high-voltage cables or hybrid components.

---

🔧 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
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs)
• 19mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• 18mm wrench
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Shop rags
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Rear upper shock mount hardware - Qty: 2 sets
• Rear lower shock bolts and nuts - Qty: 2 sets

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Fusion on level ground.
• Shift to Park and apply the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Let the suspension and exhaust cool before working underneath.
• A shock absorber controls bouncing. It does not hold the car up like a spring, but it is still bolted to suspension parts under load.
• A jack stand is a strong adjustable support that safely holds the vehicle after lifting.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct factory-style tightness so they are not loose or over-tightened.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Do not remove the nuts yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack at the rear center jacking area or approved rear lift point.
• Raise the rear high enough for both rear tires to clear the ground.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Keep the lug nuts together so none are lost.

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mount Area

• Open the trunk.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to gently remove any trunk liner clips blocking access near the rear shock tower area.
• Use a flathead screwdriver only if a clip needs gentle prying.
• Move the trunk liner aside enough to reach the upper shock mount fasteners.
• Tip: Take a photo before removing trim.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

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

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Spray the lower shock bolt and nut with penetrating oil.
• Use an 18mm socket on the bolt head and an 18mm wrench on the nut.
• Remove the lower shock bolt and nut.
• If the bolt feels tight, use the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar for extra leverage.
• Keep your fingers away from the gap between the shock and bracket.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Fasteners

• Use a 15mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper shock mount fasteners.
• Use a 15mm wrench if access is tight.
• Hold the shock with one hand while removing the last fastener so it does not fall.
• Remove the old shock absorber from the vehicle.

Step 8: Compare the Old and New Shock

• Place the old and new rear shock absorbers side by side.
• Check that the mounting ends, length, and brackets match.
• Compress the new shock by hand if needed to line up the mounting holes. It will slowly extend again.

Step 9: Install the New Upper Shock Mount

• Position the new shock absorber into the upper mount area.
• Install the upper fasteners by hand first to prevent cross-threading.
• Use a 15mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the upper shock mount fasteners to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack to slowly raise or lower the suspension arm until the lower shock hole lines up.
• Slide the lower shock bolt through the bracket and shock bushing.
• Install the nut by hand first.
• Use an 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and torque wrench to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Never force a misaligned bolt.

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack to support the opposite rear suspension arm.
• Repeat the same removal and installation process using the 15mm socket, 18mm socket, 15mm wrench, and 18mm wrench.
• Torque the opposite upper shock mount fasteners to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Torque the opposite lower shock bolt to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall Trunk Trim

• Move the trunk liner back into place.
• Use your hands and the trim clip removal tool to reinstall the trim clips without bending them.
• Make sure the trunk liner sits flat and does not rub the shock mount area.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back on the hub.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Drive slowly around the block and listen for clunks, rattles, or rubbing sounds.
• Recheck that the rear of your Fusion sits evenly on both sides.
• After 25-50 miles, recheck the rear lug nut torque with a 19mm socket and torque wrench to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).
• If the car still bounces, wanders, or clunks, inspect the rear mounts, control arm bushings, and tires.
• No alignment is normally required for rear shock-only replacement if no suspension arms were loosened.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $100-$250 (parts only)

You Save: $250-$400 by doing it yourself!

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