🔧 Shock Absorbers - Rear Replacement

This repair covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your Odyssey. The rear suspension uses separate coil springs and shock absorbers, so you are not removing a loaded strut assembly.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support your Odyssey with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so the van handles evenly.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of suspension pinch points while raising or lowering the rear suspension arm.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 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
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Penetrating oil
• Small wire brush
• Trim clip remover
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

---

🔩 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

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Odyssey on level ground and shift to Park.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock bolts if rust is present.
• Open the tailgate and remove cargo from the rear area for easier access.

---

🔨 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 lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Van

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Odyssey at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved rear side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly under the rear suspension support area as extra support, but do not rely on it alone.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

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

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mounts

• Open the tailgate and locate the rear side trim access areas inside the cargo area.
• Use a trim clip remover to carefully release plastic clips without breaking them.
• Use a flathead screwdriver only if needed to gently lift small covers.
• The upper shock mount has nuts that secure the top of the shock to the body.
• A shock mount is the point where the shock absorber bolts to the vehicle body.

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 lift the van off the jack stand.
• This prevents the suspension from dropping suddenly when the shock is removed.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a small wire brush to clean dirt and rust from the lower shock bolt area.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock bolt if it is tight or rusty.
• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the lower shock mounting bolt.
• If the bolt is very tight, use the breaker bar 1/2-inch drive with the 17mm socket.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the upper shock mounting nuts inside the rear cargo trim area.
• Use needle-nose pliers if you need to hold or guide small hardware out of a tight spot.
• Hold the shock with one hand while removing the final nut so it does not fall.

Step 8: Remove the Old Shock Absorber

• Lower the shock out of the wheel well by hand.
• Compare the old shock to the new shock absorber before installing it.
• Check that the length, mount shape, and bushing locations match.
• A bushing is the rubber cushion inside a mount that reduces noise and vibration.

Step 9: Install the New Shock Absorber

• Position the new shock absorber into the upper mount first by hand.
• Start the upper mounting nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the upper nuts, but do not fully torque yet.
• Line up the lower shock mount with the suspension arm.
• Use the floor jack to gently raise or lower the suspension arm until the bolt hole lines up.
• Install the lower shock bolt by hand.

Step 10: Tighten the Shock Mounting Hardware

• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the upper shock mounting nuts to Torque to 29 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 93 Nm (69 ft-lbs).
• Start bolts by hand first.

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move to the opposite rear shock absorber.
• Use the same 14mm socket, 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, floor jack, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive.
• Replace both rear shocks before reinstalling the wheels.

Step 12: Reinstall Rear Trim and Wheels

• Use the trim clip remover and your hands to reinstall any interior trim panels and clips.
• Place the rear wheels back on the hubs.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to slightly lift your Odyssey off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the rear lug nuts to Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).
• Tighten in a star pattern so the wheel seats evenly.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the rear of your Odyssey by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first and listen for clunks, rattles, or rubbing noises.
• ✅ Recheck the rear lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ A wheel alignment is not normally required for rear shock replacement unless other suspension parts were loosened or tire wear was already uneven.

---

💰 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.

---

🎯 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.