🔧 Colorado - Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair replaces the worn shock absorbers on your Colorado. Shock absorbers control bounce and help keep the tires planted on the road, so replacing weak or leaking shocks improves ride quality, braking stability, and tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours for all four shocks

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your Colorado supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
• ⚠️ Shock absorbers are not coil springs on your Colorado, but suspension parts can still shift when bolts are removed.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves. Dirt, rust, and debris can fall while working under the truck.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen suspension control arm bolts unless instructed here. This job only removes the shock mounting hardware.

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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
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 13mm wrench
• 15mm wrench
• 18mm wrench
• 21mm wrench
• 6-inch socket extension
• Trim clip removal tool
• Pry bar 12-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil spray
• Wire brush
• Paint marker
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Front shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 2
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 2

Note: Replace shocks in pairs on the same axle. Best practice is to replace all four if they are the same age.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Colorado on level ground and shift the transmission to Park.
• 🧱 Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks around the wheels that will stay on the ground.
• 🛠️ A jack stand is a fixed support that safely holds the truck after lifting; the floor jack is only for lifting.
• 🔩 Spray penetrating oil on the upper and lower shock bolts before starting. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• 🖊️ Use a paint marker to mark bolt positions before removal if you want an easy visual reference during reassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to slightly loosen the lug nuts on the wheels you are removing.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet. Just crack them loose while the tires are still on the ground.
• Tip: Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Truck

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the front frame/crossmember lift area.
• Raise your Colorado high enough to place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the frame rails.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the frame as a backup, but do not rely on it alone.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket to remove the lug nuts fully.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Keep the lug nuts in a tray or safe spot so they do not roll away.

Step 4: Support the Lower Control Arm

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the lower control arm near the lower shock mount.
• Raise the jack just enough to lightly support the suspension.
• The lower control arm is the metal suspension arm below the shock that holds the bottom of the wheel assembly.

Step 5: Remove the Front Lower Shock Bolt

• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to remove the lower shock mounting nut and bolt.
• If the bolt is rusty, clean the exposed threads with a wire brush and apply penetrating oil spray.
• Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the bolt out if needed.

Step 6: Remove the Front Upper Shock Hardware

• Open the hood for better access to the top of the front shock area if needed.
• Use a 15mm socket and 15mm wrench to remove the upper shock mounting hardware.
• Hold the shock body with one hand as the last fastener comes off so it does not drop suddenly.

Step 7: Remove the Front Shock Absorber

• Pull the front shock downward and out through the wheel well.
• Use a pry bar 12-inch only if the shock bushing is stuck in the mount.
• Compare the old shock with the new shock before installation. The length and mounting ends should match.

Step 8: Install the New Front Shock

• Position the new front shock into the upper mount first.
• Install the upper shock hardware by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 15mm socket and 15mm wrench to snug the upper hardware.
• Install the lower bolt by hand through the lower shock mount.
• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to snug the lower hardware.
• Torque front upper shock fasteners to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).
• Torque front lower shock bolt to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Use the same 15mm socket, 15mm wrench, 18mm socket, and 18mm wrench on the opposite front shock.
• Keep the lower control arm lightly supported with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Torque the other side to the same specifications.

Step 10: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Lift each wheel into place and start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the truck slightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum, remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum, and lower the truck to the ground.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm socket to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Lift and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake only if it prevents rear suspension movement, then keep the transmission in Park.
• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the rear axle tube or differential lift area.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear frame rails.
• Lower the truck onto the jack stands and keep the floor jack lightly supporting the rear axle.

Step 12: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts if not already loosened.
• Raise the rear as needed, then use the 21mm socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels for easier access.

Step 13: Support the Rear Axle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the rear axle close to the shock you are replacing.
• Lift only enough to remove tension from the shock bolts.
• The rear axle is the large solid tube that connects both rear wheels.

Step 14: Remove the Rear Lower Shock Bolt

• Use a 21mm socket and 21mm wrench to remove the rear lower shock bolt and nut.
• If the bolt sticks, use penetrating oil spray, a wire brush, and a rubber mallet.
• Do not let the axle hang by brake hoses or wiring.

Step 15: Remove the Rear Upper Shock Bolt

• Use a 21mm socket, 21mm wrench, and 6-inch socket extension to remove the upper rear shock bolt.
• Hold the shock with one hand as the final bolt comes out.
• Remove the old rear shock from the truck.

Step 16: Install the New Rear Shock

• Place the new rear shock into position with the body and shaft oriented the same way as the original.
• Install the upper bolt by hand first.
• Use a 21mm socket and 21mm wrench to snug the upper bolt.
• Line up the lower mount by raising or lowering the axle slightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Install the lower bolt by hand, then snug it with a 21mm socket and 21mm wrench.
• Torque rear upper shock bolt to 95 Nm (70 ft-lbs).
• Torque rear lower shock bolt to 95 Nm (70 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same 21mm socket, 21mm wrench, and 6-inch socket extension on the opposite rear shock.
• Support the axle with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum before removing the shock bolts.
• Torque the other rear shock bolts to the same specifications.

Step 18: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install the rear wheels and start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket 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 rated 3-ton minimum, and lower the truck to the ground.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm socket to torque the lug nuts.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each corner of your Colorado by pressing down on the bumper area. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks, rattles, or loose hardware.
• ✅ Recheck all visible shock bolts after the first short drive.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm socket.
• ✅ An alignment is not usually required for shock-only replacement, but get one if tire wear is uneven or the truck pulls.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,100 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $280-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $370-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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