🔧 Tucson - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Tucson, the rear shock absorbers are separate from the rear coil springs, making this a very doable suspension repair for a careful beginner. Replacing worn rear shocks helps restore ride control, reduce bouncing, and improve tire contact with the road.

Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your Tucson supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves because suspension parts can be rusty and dirty.
• 🚗 Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so the vehicle handles evenly.
• 🔩 Do not loosen rear suspension arm bolts unless instructed; this job only requires the shock mounting bolts.
• 📌 The coil spring is separate from the rear shock on your Tucson, so a spring compressor is not normally 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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 17mm combination wrench
• 19mm combination wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Penetrating oil spray
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet 16-ounce
• Pry bar 18-inch
• 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: 1 set
• Rear shock lower mounting hardware - Qty: 1 set

Replace in pairs: Always replace both rear shocks at the same time.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Tucson on level ground.
• 🅿️ Shift the transmission to Park and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔩 Use penetrating oil spray on the upper and lower rear shock bolts before starting.
• 📌 A shock absorber is the part that slows suspension bouncing after bumps.
• 📌 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to the correct measured tightness.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen lugs before lifting the vehicle.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Tucson at the rear center lifting point or approved rear subframe area.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push by hand to make sure it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels by hand.
• Slide the wheels under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack lightly under the rear lower control arm near the shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm, not enough to lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• The lower control arm is the suspension arm that holds the wheel hub area from below.

Step 5: 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 shock bolt.
• Use a 19mm socket with ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive on the bolt head.
• Use a 19mm combination wrench on the nut if the nut turns.
• Remove the lower shock bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is tight, use the breaker bar 1/2-inch drive with the 19mm socket.

Step 6: Remove the Upper Shock Bolt

• Use a wire brush to clean the upper shock bolt area.
• Spray penetrating oil on the upper shock bolt.
• Use a 17mm socket with ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the upper shock bolt.
• Use a 17mm combination wrench if the nut turns on the back side.
• Hold the shock with one hand as the final bolt comes out.

Step 7: Remove the Old Rear Shock

• Pull the old shock absorber out by hand.
• If it is stuck in the bracket, use a pry bar 18-inch gently to free it.
• If needed, tap the shock eyelet lightly with a rubber mallet 16-ounce.
• Compare the old shock with the new shock to confirm the length and mounting ends match.

Step 8: Install the New Rear Shock

• Position the new rear shock absorber in the upper mounting bracket by hand.
• Install the upper bolt by hand first.
• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the upper bolt, but do not fully torque it yet.
• Line up the lower shock mount with the lower bracket.
• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the rear lower control arm slightly until the bolt holes line up.
• Install the lower bolt and nut by hand.
• Use a 19mm socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the lower bolt.

Step 9: Torque the Shock Bolts

• Use the floor jack to support the rear lower control arm at normal ride height as closely as possible.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive on the upper shock bolt.
• Torque upper rear shock bolt to 90-110 Nm (66-81 ft-lbs)
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive on the lower shock bolt.
• Torque lower rear shock bolt to 90-110 Nm (66-81 ft-lbs)
• Final tightening at ride height protects bushings.

Step 10: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack to support the opposite rear lower control arm.
• Use the same 17mm socket, 19mm socket, wrenches, and torque wrench to replace the other rear shock absorber.
• Make sure both shocks are installed in the same orientation as the original parts.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 12: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands by hand.
• Lower your Tucson fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque rear wheel lug nuts to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the rear of your Tucson by hand. It should settle quickly, not keep bouncing.
• 🔍 Look behind both rear wheels to confirm the shocks are seated straight and bolts are tight.
• 🚗 Take a slow test drive over smooth roads first, then small bumps.
• 👂 Listen for clunks. If you hear one, recheck the upper and lower shock bolts.
• 🔩 Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• 📐 A wheel alignment is not usually required for rear shock-only replacement, but get one if tire wear or pulling is present.

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💰 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.

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