🔧 Frontier - Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair replaces the front shock/coil assemblies and rear shock absorbers on your Frontier. Worn shocks can cause bouncing, poor tire wear, nose-diving when braking, and less control over bumps.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support your Frontier with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ The front shock is part of a coil spring assembly. A coil spring stores dangerous energy and can cause serious injury if released incorrectly.
• ⚠️ For a beginner, use complete loaded front shock/coil assemblies when available. If replacing only the front shock insert, use a quality coil spring compressor and follow the tool instructions exactly.
• ⚠️ Replace shocks in pairs: both front, both rear, or all four.
• ⚠️ Keep brake hoses and ABS wires from stretching while suspension parts are loose.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 150 ft-lbs
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 22mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 22mm wrench
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Socket extension 6-inch
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front shock/coil assemblies - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Front shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Frontier on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the wheels that stay on the ground.
• Spray penetrating oil on the front lower shock bolts and rear shock bolts. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• A coil spring compressor is a tool that safely squeezes the front coil spring so the shock can be removed from the spring assembly.
• If using complete loaded front shock/coil assemblies, you do not need to disassemble the 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 each lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.
• Loosen first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the front crossmember to lift the front of your Frontier.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the frame rails.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the truck by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

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

Step 4: Support the Lower Control Arm

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the lower control arm.
• Raise the jack just enough to lightly support the arm.
• The lower control arm is the large suspension arm under the front shock assembly.

Step 5: Remove the Front Brake Hose Bracket if Needed

• Use a 12mm socket if equipped, or a 14mm socket depending on bracket style, to remove the brake hose bracket from the shock area.
• If your bracket uses a clip, use needle-nose pliers to carefully remove it.
• Do not let the brake hose hang tight or stretch.

Step 6: Remove the Front Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a 19mm socket or 22mm socket on the bolt head and the matching 19mm wrench or 22mm wrench on the nut.
• Remove the lower shock bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is stuck, use penetrating oil and gently tap it with a rubber mallet.

Step 7: Remove the Front Upper Shock Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Use a 14mm socket, ratchet 3/8-inch drive, and socket extension 6-inch to remove the three upper shock mounting nuts.
• Hold the shock assembly with one hand while removing the last nut.
• Do not remove the center shaft nut unless the spring is properly compressed.

Step 8: Remove the Front Shock/Coil Assembly

• Use a pry bar 18-inch only if needed to gently guide the lower shock mount out of the control arm.
• Lower the assembly out through the wheel opening.
• Be careful not to pull on the brake hose or ABS wiring.

Step 9: Transfer the Front Coil Spring Only if Needed

• If using complete loaded front shock/coil assemblies, skip this step.
• If replacing only the shock, use a coil spring compressor (specialty) to compress the spring evenly on both sides.
• Use a paint marker to mark the spring, upper mount, and lower seat positions before disassembly.
• Use the correct socket from your tool kit to remove the center shaft nut only after the spring is safely compressed.
• Install the spring and mount onto the new shock in the same orientation.
• Slowly release the coil spring compressor (specialty) while confirming the spring seats correctly.
• Loaded assemblies are safer for beginners.

Step 10: Install the Front Shock/Coil Assembly

• Guide the new assembly into position through the wheel opening.
• Start the three upper nuts by hand first.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the upper nuts to Torque to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).
• Align the lower shock eye with the lower control arm using a pry bar 18-inch if needed.
• Install the lower bolt and nut by hand.
• Use a 19mm socket or 22mm socket with matching wrench and torque wrench to tighten the lower bolt to Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall the Front Brake Hose Bracket

• Use the 12mm socket if equipped, or 14mm socket, to reinstall the brake hose bracket.
• Make sure the hose is not twisted or stretched.

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the other front side.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.

Step 13: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install the wheels by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Lower the front of your Frontier using the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Raise and Support the Rear

• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the rear differential to lift the rear.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear frame rails.
• Lower the truck onto the stands and keep the jack lightly supporting the rear axle.

Step 15: Remove the Rear Wheels if More Room Is Needed

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the rear wheels if you need more access.
• This step is optional, but it makes the job easier for beginners.

Step 16: Remove One Rear Shock at a Time

• Use a 19mm socket or 22mm socket and matching wrench to remove the lower rear shock bolt.
• Use a 19mm socket or 22mm socket and matching wrench to remove the upper rear shock bolt.
• Remove the shock absorber.
• Only remove one rear shock at a time so the axle stays controlled.

Step 17: Install the New Rear Shock

• Position the new rear shock with the body and dust boot oriented the same way as the original.
• Start the upper bolt by hand.
• Start the lower bolt by hand.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise or lower the axle slightly until the bolts slide in easily.
• Use the 19mm socket or 22mm socket, matching wrench, and torque wrench to tighten the upper and lower rear shock bolts to Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 16 and 17 for the other rear shock.
• Keep the axle lightly supported with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.

Step 19: Reinstall Rear Wheels and Lower Vehicle

• Install the rear wheels by hand if removed.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the rear slightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum, remove the jack stands, and lower your Frontier.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each corner of your Frontier by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Check that brake hoses and ABS wires do not pull tight.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks, rattles, or rubbing.
• ✅ Recheck all lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ Get a wheel alignment after replacing front shock/coil assemblies, especially if ride height changed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,600 parts + labor

DIY Cost: $350-$900 parts only

You Save: $550-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 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.