🔧 Escape - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This job replaces the rear shock absorbers on your Escape. The rear shocks control bouncing and help keep the tires planted on the road.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground only.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before working under your Escape. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so the suspension works evenly.
• ⚠️ Do not remove coil springs for this repair. Rear shocks are separate from the springs on your Escape.
• ⚠️ 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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• 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 bolts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Escape on level ground.
• Shift to Park and apply the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Spray penetrating oil on the rear shock upper and lower bolts if they look rusty.
• Let the exhaust cool before working near the rear suspension.

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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 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of your Escape at a strong rear lifting point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

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

Step 4: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack lightly under the rear lower suspension arm near the shock.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This keeps the shock from being pinched by suspension weight.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use an 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the lower shock mounting bolt.
• If the bolt is rusty, clean the exposed threads with a wire brush and apply penetrating oil.
• Pull the lower end of the shock free from the mounting bracket.

Step 6: Remove the Upper Shock Bolts

• Use a 15mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper shock mounting bolts.
• Hold the shock with one hand as the last bolt comes out.
• Remove the shock absorber from your Escape.

Step 7: Install the New Rear Shock

• Position the new shock absorber with the body and mounting ends aligned the same way as the old one.
• Use a 15mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to start the upper mounting bolts by hand first.
• Do not fully tighten yet.
• Start bolts by hand first.

Step 8: 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 in the lower shock bolt by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lower bolt.

Step 9: Torque the Shock Bolts

• Use a torque wrench and 15mm socket to tighten the upper shock bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench, 18mm socket, and 18mm wrench to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same 15mm socket, 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and torque wrench to replace the shock on the other side.
• Always replace both rear shocks together.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to install the lug nuts finger-tight in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel instead of going around in a circle.

Step 12: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the rear lug nuts to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).
• Fully lower the vehicle and remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each rear corner by hand. The body should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Road-test at low speed first and listen for clunks or rattles.
• ✅ Recheck the rear shock bolts if you hear noise after the test drive.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ A wheel alignment is usually not required for rear shock replacement only.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $90-$220 (parts only)

You Save: $260-$430 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?

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.