🔧 Tacoma - Shock Absorber Replacement

Replacing the shock absorbers restores ride control, reduces bouncing, and helps your Tacoma stay stable over bumps. On your Tacoma, the front uses shock/coil spring assemblies and the rear uses separate shock absorbers mounted between the frame and axle.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support your Tacoma with jack stands before working underneath it. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center nut on a front coil spring assembly unless the spring is safely compressed with the correct equipment. The spring is under high tension and can cause severe injury.
• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground and chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
• ⚠️ Keep your hands clear of the suspension while raising or lowering the axle or control arm.
• ⚠️ A battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• Pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front shock/strut assemblies - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Front shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1
• New cotter pins, if removed during access - Qty: As needed

Replace in pairs: Replace both front shocks together, both rear shocks together, or all four for the best ride balance.

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tacoma on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the wheels that stay on the ground.
• Spray penetrating oil on the shock mounting nuts and bolts. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• A shock absorber controls bouncing. A front shock/strut assembly is the shock mounted inside the coil spring assembly.
• If you are replacing the front assemblies, use complete preassembled units if possible. This avoids handling the compressed coil spring.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Tip: Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Raise and Support Your Tacoma

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the end of your Tacoma you are working on.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under strong frame points.
• Lower your Tacoma gently onto the jack stands.
• Use the floor jack lightly under the lower control arm or rear axle to support the suspension.

Step 3: Remove the Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Shock Absorber Lower Bolt

• For rear shocks, place the floor jack under the rear axle near the shock you are replacing.
• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to remove the lower shock mounting bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is tight, use the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar carefully.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolt out if needed.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Shock Absorber Upper Bolt

• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to remove the upper rear shock mounting bolt and nut.
• Hold the shock with one hand while removing the last bolt so it does not drop.
• Remove the rear shock from your Tacoma.

Step 6: Install the New Rear Shock Absorber

• Position the new rear shock absorber into the upper mount first.
• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to install the upper bolt and nut loosely.
• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the axle slightly until the lower shock eye lines up with the axle bracket.
• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to install the lower bolt and nut loosely.
• Once both bolts are installed, tighten the rear shock mounting bolts with a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs).
• Torque rear shock mounting bolts to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Remove the Front Shock/Strut Assembly Lower Bolt

• For front shocks, keep the floor jack lightly supporting the lower control arm.
• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to remove the lower shock mounting bolt and nut.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolt out if it is stuck.
• Use a pry bar gently if the shock bushing is tight in the bracket.

Step 8: Remove the Front Shock/Strut Assembly Upper Nuts

• Open the hood to access the upper shock mounting nuts.
• Use a 14mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the three upper mounting nuts.
• Do not remove the center shaft nut. The center nut holds spring tension.
• Support the assembly with one hand while removing the last upper nut.

Step 9: Remove the Front Shock/Strut Assembly

• Use the floor jack to slightly lower the lower control arm if more room is needed.
• Carefully guide the front shock/strut assembly out through the wheel well.
• Do not pull hard on brake hoses or ABS wires.

Step 10: Install the New Front Shock/Strut Assembly

• Position the new front shock/strut assembly into the wheel well.
• Line up the three upper studs with the body mount.
• Use a 14mm socket to install the three upper nuts by hand first.
• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the lower control arm until the lower shock mount lines up.
• Install the lower bolt and nut using a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench.

Step 11: Tighten the Front Shock/Strut Assembly Mounts

• Use a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs) and 14mm socket to tighten the upper mounting nuts.
• Torque front upper shock mounting nuts to 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs), 19mm socket, and 19mm wrench to tighten the lower mounting bolt.
• Torque front lower shock mounting bolt to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall the Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to install the lug nuts finger-tight first.
• Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern so the wheel seats evenly.

Step 13: Lower Your Tacoma and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise your Tacoma slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Tacoma fully to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs) and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Push down firmly on each corner of your Tacoma. It should rebound once and settle quickly.
• Road test at low speed first. Listen for clunks, rattles, or loose hardware.
• After the road test, recheck the shock mounting bolts visually.
• Re-torque the lug nuts after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs) and 21mm lug nut socket.
• If the steering wheel is off-center or your Tacoma pulls after front shock replacement, have a wheel alignment performed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,300 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $450-$650 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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