🔧 Altima - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Altima, the rear shock absorbers control bounce and help keep the tires planted over bumps. Replacing worn rear shocks is a good beginner-friendly suspension repair because the rear shocks are separate from the coil springs.

Assumption: This guide covers the rear shock absorbers, not the front strut assemblies.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands; jack stands are fixed supports that safely hold the vehicle after lifting.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Rear shocks do not hold the coil spring in place on your Altima, but keep the rear suspension supported while removing shock bolts.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen or remove any front strut center nut; front struts contain a compressed spring and require a different procedure.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for rear shock replacement.

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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 wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 14mm combination wrench
• 17mm combination wrench
• 18mm combination wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil spray
• Rubber mallet
• Paint marker
• 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 upper shock mount nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear lower shock bolt and nut kit - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground.
• Shift to Park and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Open the trunk and remove items from the cargo area.
• Spray the rear lower shock bolts with penetrating oil and let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• No infotainment menu, scan tool command, EPB service mode, ADAS calibration, or battery registration is required for this repair.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

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

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) at the rear center jacking point or approved rear pinch-weld lift points.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the approved rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mounts in the Trunk

• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove the trunk liner clips near the left and right rear shock tower areas.
• Use a flathead screwdriver only if needed to gently start stubborn plastic clips.
• Pull the trunk side trim back enough to see the two upper shock mount nuts on each side.
• A shock tower is the body area where the top of the shock absorber bolts to the vehicle.
• Work slowly; trunk clips break easily.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear lower suspension arm near the shock.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm, not enough to lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This keeps the suspension from dropping suddenly when the shock is unbolted.

Step 6: Mark the Old Shock Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the orientation of the lower shock mount before removal.
• This helps you install the new shock in the same direction.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a 17mm socket or 18mm socket with the breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the lower shock bolt, depending on the installed hardware size.
• Hold the nut with a matching 17mm combination wrench or 18mm combination wrench.
• If the bolt is stuck, spray more penetrating oil spray and let it soak for a few minutes.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolt out if needed.
• Do not use a steel hammer directly on the threads.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Shock Mount Nuts

• From inside the trunk, use a 14mm socket with a ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the two upper shock mount nuts.
• If the stud spins, hold it gently with needle-nose pliers only on the old shock hardware.
• Keep one hand on the shock from outside the wheel well so it does not drop.

Step 9: Remove the Old Shock Absorber

• Pull the old shock absorber down and out through the wheel well by hand.
• Compare the old shock and new shock side by side.
• Make sure the mounting ends, length, and bushings match before installing.
• A bushing is a rubber cushion that reduces noise and vibration at the mount.

Step 10: Install the New Shock Absorber

• Position the new shock absorber into the wheel well by hand.
• Guide the upper studs into the body holes first.
• Install the new upper shock mount nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to snug the upper nuts.
• Do not fully torque the lower bolt yet.

Step 11: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to raise or lower the suspension arm slightly until the lower shock hole lines up.
• Slide the lower shock bolt through by hand.
• Install the nut by hand first.
• Use a 17mm socket or 18mm socket with a matching 17mm combination wrench or 18mm combination wrench to snug the bolt and nut.
• Hand-start bolts to protect threads.

Step 12: Torque the Shock Fasteners

• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the correct socket to tighten the lower shock bolt.
• Torque the rear lower shock bolt to 93 Nm (69 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with a 14mm socket to tighten the upper shock mount nuts.
• Torque the rear upper shock mount nuts to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 12 on the opposite rear shock absorber.
• Always replace rear shocks in pairs so the suspension reacts evenly side to side.

Step 14: Reinstall the Trunk Trim

• Use your hands to reposition the trunk side trim panels.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to align clips if needed.
• Press the clips back into place until fully seated.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

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

Step 16: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque the rear wheel lug nuts to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each rear corner by hand; the body should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Test drive slowly over a smooth road first, then over small bumps.
• ✅ Listen for clunks, rattles, or squeaks from the rear suspension.
• ✅ Recheck that the rear shock lower bolts and upper nuts are tight after the first short drive.
• ✅ Recheck rear lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ Wheel alignment is usually not required for rear shock-only replacement, unless abnormal tire wear or pulling is present.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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