🔧 CX-5 - Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your CX-5. The shock absorbers control bounce and help keep the tires planted, so worn shocks can cause a floaty ride, poor handling, uneven tire wear, or clunking over bumps.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Always support your CX-5 with jack stands before working underneath it.
• ⚠️ Replace rear shock absorbers in pairs so both sides handle the same.
• ⚠️ Do not remove suspension bolts while the suspension is hanging unless instructed; final tightening should be done at normal ride height to avoid bushing damage.
• ⚠️ The rear shock is separate from the spring on your CX-5, so no spring compressor is normally needed 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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Rubber mallet
• 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 CX-5 on level ground, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires. Wheel chocks are wedge blocks that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• 🔩 Slightly loosen the rear lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• 🧴 Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock bolts and nuts if they look rusty.
• 🖊️ Use a paint marker to mark the position of the lower shock hardware before removal.

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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 lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting for safety.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your CX-5 at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly supporting the rear suspension area as an extra safety backup.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm 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: Support the Rear Suspension Arm

• Place the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear lower control arm near the shock absorber.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• The lower control arm is the metal suspension arm that holds the wheel hub area from below.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Shock Mounting Bolt

• Use a 17mm socket, ratchet 1/2-inch drive, and 17mm wrench to remove the lower shock absorber nut and bolt.
• If the bolt is stuck, apply penetrating oil and tap it gently with a rubber mallet.
• Do not force the bolt at an angle, because that can damage the mount.

Step 6: Access the Upper Shock Mount

• Use a trim clip removal tool or flat-head screwdriver to carefully remove the small plastic clips or cover near the upper shock mount area inside the rear wheel well.
• Work slowly so the clips do not break.
• The upper mount is where the top of the shock bolts to the body.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Mounting Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the two upper shock absorber mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock absorber with one hand while removing the final nut so it does not drop.
• Remove the shock absorber from the wheel well.

Step 8: Compare the New and Old Shock Absorbers

• Place the new rear shock absorber next to the old one.
• Make sure the length, mounting holes, and upper mount design match.
• If the new shock has a shipping strap, leave it on until you are ready to install it.

Step 9: Install the New Shock Absorber Upper Mount

• Position the new shock absorber into the upper mount area by hand.
• Install the new upper mounting nuts by hand first to prevent cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the upper nuts to Torque to 36-46 Nm (27-34 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Mounting Bolt

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to raise or lower the rear lower control arm until the shock eye lines up with the mounting hole.
• Slide the new lower bolt through the mount by hand.
• Install the new lower nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lower bolt, but do not fully torque it yet.

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 10 on the opposite rear shock absorber.
• Use the same tools and keep both sides matched.
• Always replace shocks in pairs.

Step 12: Load the Suspension Before Final Torque

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under each rear lower control arm to raise the suspension close to normal ride height.
• Normal ride height means the suspension is sitting about where it would be with the vehicle on the ground.
• This prevents twisting the rubber bushing when tightening the lower shock bolt.

Step 13: Torque the Lower Shock Bolts

• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten each lower shock bolt to Torque to 85-105 Nm (63-77 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the bolt head and nut sit flat against the mounting bracket.

Step 14: Reinstall Wheel Well Covers or Clips

• Use your hands and the trim clip removal tool if needed to reinstall any removed covers or plastic clips.
• Make sure the liner is secure and not rubbing the shock absorber.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive 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 CX-5 completely to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108-147 Nm (80-108 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each rear corner of your CX-5 by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive over small bumps and listen for clunks or rattles.
• ✅ Recheck the lower shock bolts and wheel lug nuts after the test drive.
• ✅ A wheel alignment is not usually required for rear shock replacement only, but get one if the vehicle pulls, the steering wheel is off-center, or tire wear is uneven.

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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 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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