🔧 Tacoma - Shock Absorber Replacement

This repair replaces the shock absorbers, which control bouncing and help keep your tires planted on the road. On your Tacoma, the front uses shock/coil spring assemblies, while the rear uses separate shock absorbers mounted between the frame and rear axle.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Tacoma with jack stands before working underneath. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not disassemble the front coil spring assembly unless you have the correct spring compressor and experience. The spring is under high tension and can cause severe injury.
• ⚠️ Replace shocks in pairs on the same axle, even if only one is leaking or worn.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
• ⚠️ 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 socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• Ratchet wrench
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• Pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tacoma on a flat, solid surface.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the wheels that will stay on the ground.
• 🔧 A torque wrench tightens bolts to an exact tightness so parts are secure without being over-tightened.
• 🔧 A breaker bar is a long handle used to loosen tight bolts safely.
• 🔧 Spray penetrating oil on the shock bolts 10-15 minutes before removal.
• 🖊️ Use a paint marker to mark the original position of any washers or brackets before removing them.
• ⚠️ If replacing only the rear shocks, do not remove the front wheels.

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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 breaker bar to slightly loosen the lug nuts before lifting your Tacoma.
• Only loosen them about half a turn. Do not remove them yet.
• Tip: Loosen while tires touch the ground.

Step 2: Raise and Support Your Tacoma

• Use the floor jack to lift the front or rear of your Tacoma, depending on which shocks you are replacing.
• Place jack stands under the frame rails.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Use the floor jack under the lower control arm or rear axle to lightly support the suspension while removing shocks.

Step 3: Remove the Wheels

• Use the 21mm socket to remove the lug nuts fully.
• Remove the wheels and set them flat under the truck as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Replace the Rear Shock Absorbers

• Use the floor jack to lightly support the rear axle near the shock you are removing.
• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to remove the lower rear shock mounting bolt and nut.
• Use a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to remove the upper rear shock mounting bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is stuck, use penetrating oil and gently tap with a rubber mallet.
• Remove the old rear shock absorber.
• Install the new rear shock absorber in the same orientation as the old one.
• Use the 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to install the upper bolt finger-tight first.
• Use the 17mm socket and 17mm wrench to install the lower bolt finger-tight.
• Use the torque wrench to tighten the rear shock upper bolt to Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).
• Use the torque wrench to tighten the rear shock lower bolt to Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft-lbs).
• Repeat this step on the other rear shock.

Step 5: Replace the Front Shock/Coil Assembly

• Use the floor jack to lightly support the lower control arm. The lower control arm is the metal suspension arm below the front shock.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the three upper shock mount nuts at the top of the shock tower.
• Do not remove the center nut on top of the shock assembly. That nut holds spring tension.
• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to remove the lower shock mounting bolt and nut.
• Use a pry bar carefully if the lower shock eye is tight in the mount.
• Lower the floor jack slightly to create room.
• Remove the complete front shock/coil assembly from the wheel well.
• Install the new complete front shock/coil assembly into position.
• Use a 14mm socket to install the three upper mount nuts finger-tight.
• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to install the lower shock bolt and nut finger-tight.
• Use the floor jack to raise the lower control arm until the suspension is close to normal ride height.
• Use the torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten the upper shock mount nuts to Torque to 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs).
• Use the torque wrench, 19mm socket, and 19mm wrench to tighten the lower shock bolt to Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).
• Repeat this step on the other front shock/coil assembly.

Step 6: Reinstall the Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub.
• Use the 21mm socket to install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Tighten the lug nuts lightly in a star pattern with the 21mm socket.

Step 7: Lower Your Tacoma and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift your Tacoma slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Tacoma to the ground.
• Use the torque wrench and 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each corner of your Tacoma by pushing down firmly on the body. It should rebound once and settle quickly.
• ✅ Test drive slowly at first. Listen for clunks, rattles, or knocking sounds.
• ✅ Recheck all visible shock mounting bolts after the first short drive.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the torque wrench and 21mm socket.
• ✅ If you replaced the front shock/coil assemblies, get a front wheel alignment. This helps prevent tire wear and steering pull.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $750-$1,300 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$750 (parts only)

You Save: $450-$550 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?

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.