🔧 Civic - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

The rear shock absorbers on your Civic control rear suspension bounce and help keep the tires stable over bumps. This job replaces the rear shocks only; the rear springs stay installed on the vehicle.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support your Civic with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so the vehicle handles evenly.
• ⚠️ Support the rear suspension arm before removing the lower shock bolt so the arm does not drop suddenly.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of pinch points between the suspension arm, shock, and body.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is usually not required for rear shock-only replacement, but get one if tire wear or steering pull is present.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug nut socket
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive extension set
• Torque wrench 20-200 Nm
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Wire brush
• Penetrating oil
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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, replace in pairs
• Rear upper shock mount kits - Qty: 2, recommended if worn, noisy, cracked, or corroded
• Rear shock dust boots and bump stops - Qty: 2, recommended if damaged or missing
• Rear lower shock bolts - Qty: 2, recommended if corroded or damaged
• Rear shock mounting nuts - Qty: 4, recommended if corroded or damaged

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Civic on a flat, solid surface.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock bolts before starting.
• Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
• Tip: Break them loose first.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Civic at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the rear side support points.
• Slowly lower your Civic onto the jack stands.
• Leave the floor jack nearby because it will be used to support the rear suspension arm.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the vehicle sides as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Access the Rear Upper Shock Mount

• Open the trunk.
• Use a trim clip removal tool and flat-blade screwdriver to carefully release the trunk side trim clips on the side you are working on.
• Pull the trunk side trim back just enough to see the top of the rear shock mount.
• The upper shock mount is the bracket at the top of the shock where it attaches to the vehicle body.
• Use needle-nose pliers only if a trim clip needs gentle help coming free.

Step 5: Mark the Lower Shock Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the lower shock and mounting area before removal.
• This gives you a simple visual reference when installing the new shock.

Step 6: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the rear suspension arm near the lower shock mount.
• The suspension arm is the metal arm that holds the wheel hub and moves up and down with the wheel.
• Raise the jack just until it lightly supports the arm.
• Do not lift your Civic off the jack stand.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a wire brush and penetrating oil to clean the lower shock bolt threads.
• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the lower shock bolt and nut.
• Remove the lower shock bolt by hand once loose.
• If the bolt is tight, use the floor jack to slightly raise or lower the suspension arm until the bolt slides out easier.
• Tip: Relieve bolt pressure.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Shock Mount Nuts

• From inside the trunk, use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 1/2-inch drive extension set to remove the upper shock mount nuts.
• Hold the shock body with your other hand from the wheel well before removing the final nut.
• Lower the shock absorber out through the wheel well.

Step 9: Transfer the Upper Mount if Needed

• If your new shock does not include the upper mount, place the old shock on the ground upright.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the shock shaft nut if the mount design allows safe removal without spring tension.
• Move the upper mount, dust boot, washer, and bump stop to the new shock in the same order.
• A bump stop is a rubber cushion that prevents the suspension from bottoming out.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 20-200 Nm to tighten the shock shaft nut to Torque to 29 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Position the New Shock Absorber

• Guide the new rear shock absorber up into the wheel well by hand.
• Align the upper mount studs with the holes in the body.
• From inside the trunk, install the upper shock mount nuts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the nuts only.

Step 11: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise or lower the rear suspension arm until the lower shock eye lines up with the mounting hole.
• Install the lower shock bolt by hand.
• Install the nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and torque wrench 20-200 Nm to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Torque the Upper Shock Mount Nuts

• From inside the trunk, use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 20-200 Nm to tighten the upper shock mount nuts to Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• Tighten both upper nuts evenly.

Step 13: Reinstall the Trunk Trim

• Push the trunk side trim back into place by hand.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or flat-blade screwdriver to help align clips if needed.
• Press all clips fully into place.

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the opposite rear shock absorber.
• Keep the floor jack under the rear suspension arm on the side being serviced.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet 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 rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Civic until the tires just touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 20-200 Nm to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Settle the Rear Suspension

• Push down firmly on the rear bumper area a few times by hand.
• This helps the new shocks and bushings settle into normal ride position.
• Use the torque wrench 20-200 Nm and 19mm lug nut socket to recheck lug nut torque after settling.

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✅ After Repair

• Take a slow test drive over a smooth road first.
• Listen for clunks, rattles, or squeaks from the rear suspension.
• Recheck the lower shock bolts and upper mount nuts after the first short drive.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• If your Civic still bounces, sits unevenly, or makes noise, inspect the rear springs, shock mounts, and suspension bushings.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 parts and labor

DIY Cost: $120-$350 parts only

You Save: $300-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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