🔧 Kicks - Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair covers replacing the rear shock absorbers on your Kicks. The rear shocks help control bouncing and keep the tires planted; worn shocks can cause clunking, poor ride control, and longer stopping distance.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support your Kicks 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 shocks in pairs so the left and right sides dampen evenly.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of the shock mounts while removing bolts because the suspension can shift slightly.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this 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
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 18mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• 14mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• Trim clip remover
• 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 nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock lower mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 2 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kicks on level ground.
• Shift to Park and apply the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Open the rear hatch and remove cargo items from the luggage area.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower shock bolts and let it soak for 5-10 minutes.
• No infotainment menu, scan tool, EPB service mode, or battery disconnect is required for this rear shock job.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove lug nuts yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) at the rear center jacking point or approved rear lift area.
• Lift your Kicks high enough for the rear wheels to clear the ground.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the approved rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly supporting the rear suspension beam, but do not lift the vehicle off the stands.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Slide wheels under the vehicle as backup safety.

Step 4: Access the Upper Shock Mounts

• Open the rear hatch.
• Use a trim clip remover to gently remove the rear luggage-area side trim access covers, if equipped.
• Locate the upper shock mounting nuts on each side. These are the nuts at the top of the shock absorber.
• A shock absorber is the tube-shaped part that slows suspension bouncing.

Step 5: Support the Rear Suspension Beam

• Position the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under the rear suspension beam near the side you are working on.
• Raise it just until it touches the beam.
• This prevents the suspension from dropping suddenly when the lower shock bolt is removed.

Step 6: Remove the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a wire brush to clean dirt and rust from the lower shock bolt threads.
• Spray the lower shock bolt with penetrating oil if it feels tight.
• Use an 18mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive on the bolt head.
• Hold the nut with an 18mm wrench, if the nut turns.
• Remove the lower shock mounting bolt and nut.
• Keep fingers away from the mounting bracket.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Shock Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock body with your other hand so it does not fall.
• If the stud turns, hold it with a 14mm wrench while loosening the nut with the 14mm socket.
• Remove the shock absorber from your Kicks.

Step 8: Compare the New Shock to the Old Shock

• Place the old and new shock absorbers side by side.
• Check that the length, mounting ends, bushings, and stud locations match.
• Bushings are rubber cushions that reduce noise and vibration.
• Do not install the shock if the mounts do not match.

Step 9: Install the New Shock Upper Mount

• Position the new shock absorber into the upper mount by hand.
• Start the upper mounting nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the upper nuts.
• Do not fully tighten yet.

Step 10: Install the Lower Shock Bolt

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to raise or lower the rear suspension beam slightly until the lower shock hole lines up.
• Install the lower shock bolt and nut by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to snug the lower fastener.
• Do not force the bolt through the bushing. Adjust the jack height instead.

Step 11: Tighten the Shock Fasteners

• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with an 18mm socket to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with a 14mm socket to tighten the upper shock mounting nuts to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Torque means final measured tightness.

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lightly support the other side of the rear suspension beam.
• Use the same 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, 14mm socket, and 14mm wrench to remove and install the other rear shock.
• Tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs).
• Tighten the upper shock mounting nuts to Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall the Cargo Trim

• Use your hands and the trim clip remover to reinstall any luggage-area trim covers or clips.
• Make sure the trim sits flat and does not rattle.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Lift each wheel into place by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to raise your Kicks slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Lower the vehicle until the tires touch the ground fully.
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce-test the rear of your Kicks by pressing down firmly on the rear bumper area and releasing. It should rise and settle quickly.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive over small bumps and listen for clunks or rattles.
• ✅ Recheck the rear lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 21mm lug nut socket.
• ✅ No alignment is normally required for rear shock absorber replacement unless other suspension parts were loosened or replaced.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $210-$330 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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