🔧 Edge - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your Edge. The shock absorbers control bounce and keep the tires planted, so worn shocks can cause poor ride quality, longer stopping distance, and uneven tire wear.

Assumption: “Shock absorbers” refers to the rear shocks; the front uses strut assemblies, not standalone shocks.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground only and support your Edge with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shocks in pairs so the suspension behaves evenly side to side.
• ⚠️ Do not remove suspension fasteners while the vehicle is unstable or supported only by the jack.
• ⚠️ 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 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm box-end wrench
• 18mm box-end wrench
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• Penetrating oil
• Rubber mallet
• Small pry bar
• 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 nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts - Qty: 2
• Rear shock lower mounting nuts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Edge on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires to stop the vehicle from rolling.
• 🔩 Lightly loosen the rear lug nuts before lifting the vehicle. Do not remove them yet.
• 🛞 Rear shocks should be replaced as a pair, even if only one side is leaking or noisy.
• 💡 Spray the upper and lower shock fasteners with penetrating oil and let it soak for 5-10 minutes.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

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

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Edge at a solid rear lifting point.
• Place jack stands under the rear side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working near the suspension.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Locate the Rear Shock Absorber

• The shock absorber is the vertical cylinder mounted between the rear suspension arm and the body.
• Look for the lower mounting bolt at the bottom of the shock and the upper mounting nuts at the top.
• A shock absorber slows suspension movement; it is different from the spring, which carries vehicle weight.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Use the floor jack under the rear lower suspension arm near the shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This removes tension from the shock bolts and makes removal easier.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the 18mm socket, 1/2-inch drive ratchet, and 18mm box-end wrench to remove the lower shock mounting nut and bolt.
• If the bolt is stuck, apply penetrating oil and lightly tap it with the rubber mallet.
• Use the small pry bar carefully if the shock bushing is tight in the bracket.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Mounting Nuts

• Use the 15mm socket, 1/2-inch drive ratchet, and 15mm box-end wrench as needed to remove the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock with one hand while removing the last nut so it does not fall.
• Remove the old shock absorber from the vehicle.

Step 8: Compare the New Shock to the Old Shock

• Place the old and new shocks side by side.
• Confirm the mounting ends, length, and brackets match.
• If the new shock is slightly extended, slowly compress or extend it by hand to line up the mounting holes.

Step 9: Install the New Shock Upper Mount

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

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack to slightly raise or lower the suspension arm until the lower shock hole lines up with the bracket.
• Slide the lower mounting bolt through the bracket and shock bushing by hand.
• Install the lower nut by hand.
• Use the 18mm socket, 18mm box-end wrench, and torque wrench to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Hand-start bolts to protect threads.

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the rear shock absorber on the opposite side.
• Keep the floor jack under the suspension arm while removing and installing that side.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

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

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

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

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each rear corner of your Edge by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• 👂 Test drive slowly at first and listen for clunks or rattles.
• 🔩 After the test drive, visually recheck the upper and lower shock mounts.
• 🛞 Recheck rear lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the torque wrench.
• 📐 Alignment is not normally required for rear shock replacement unless other suspension parts were loosened or tire wear 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 1-2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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