GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Shock Absorber Replacement FWD

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the rear compartment trim panel. Refer to Rear Compartment Side Trim Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  2. Remove the rear accessory panel. Refer to Rear Accessory Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  3. Remove the rear storage compartment. Refer to Rear Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.
  4. Remove the tool storage compartment. Refer to Tool Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.

  5. Object Number: 829761  Size: SH
  6. Remove the shock absorber fastener access panel (1).
  7. Remove the 2 nuts (2,6).
  8. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  9. Use a block of wood and a jack in order to support the rear axle.
  10. Remove the bolt (3).
  11. Remove the nut (5) and the washer (4).
  12. Remove the shock absorber with the coil spring.
  13. Remove the coil spring, if necessary. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement .

Installation Procedure

  1. If you removed the coil spring, install the coil spring. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement .
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 829761  Size: SH
  3. Install the shock absorber and the bolt (3).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 80 N·m (59.0 lb ft).

    Important: Do not tighten the lower shock absorber nut. The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies before tightening the nut.

  5. Install the washer (4) and the nut (5).
  6. Remove the jack and the block of wood.
  7. Lower the vehicle.
  8. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to stabilize the suspension.
  9. Install the 2 nuts (2,6).
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 80 N·m (59.0 lb ft).

  11. Install the shock absorber fastener access panel (1).
  12. Install the tool storage compartment. Refer to Tool Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.
  13. Install the rear storage compartment. Refer to Rear Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.
  14. Install the rear accessory panel. Refer to Rear Accessory Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  15. Install the rear compartment trim panel. Refer to Rear Compartment Side Trim Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  16. Tighten the lower shock absorber nut (5).
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 80 N·m (59.0 lb ft).

  18. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.

Shock Absorber Replacement AWD

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the rear compartment trim panel. Refer to Rear Compartment Side Trim Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  2. Remove the rear accessory panel. Refer to Rear Accessory Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  3. Remove the rear storage compartment. Refer to Rear Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.
  4. Remove the tool storage compartment. Refer to Tool Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.

  5. Object Number: 829771  Size: SH
  6. Remove the shock absorber fastener access panel (1).
  7. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  8. Use a block of wood and a jack in order to support the lower control arm.
  9. Remove the nut and the stabilizer shaft link stud from the lower control arm.
  10. Remove the nut (4) and the bolt (5).
  11. Remove the 3 nuts (2,3,6).

  12. Object Number: 829784  Size: SH
  13. Remove the 3 bolts (1,3,4).
  14. Move the front of the lower control arm (2) down and toward the outside of the vehicle.
  15. Remove the shock absorber with the coil spring.
  16. Remove the coil spring, if necessary. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement .

Installation Procedure

  1. If you removed the coil spring, install the coil spring. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement .
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 829771  Size: SH
  3. Install the shock absorber and the 3 nuts (2,3,6).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 80 N·m (59.0 lb ft).

    Important: Do not tighten the lower shock absorber nut or bolt. The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies before tightening the nut and bolt.

  5. Install the bolt (5) and the nut (4).
  6. Install the 3 bolts in order to retain the lower control arm to the body.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 65 N·m (47.9 lb ft).

    Important: Do not tighten the stabilizer shaft link nut. The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies before tightening the nut.

  8. Install the nut and the stabilizer shaft link stud to the lower control arm.
  9. Remove the jack and the block of wood.
  10. Lower the vehicle.
  11. Install the shock absorber fastener access panel (1).
  12. Install the tool storage compartment. Refer to Tool Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.
  13. Install the rear storage compartment. Refer to Rear Storage Compartment Replacement in Interior Trim.
  14. Install the rear accessory panel. Refer to Rear Accessory Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  15. Install the rear compartment trim panel. Refer to Rear Compartment Side Trim Panel Replacement in Interior Trim.
  16. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to stabilize the suspension.
  17. Tighten the lower shock absorber nut (4) and the bolt (5).
  18. Tighten
    Tighten the nut and the bolt to 140 N·m (103.3 lb ft).

  19. Tighten the nut to the stabilizer shaft link stud.
  20. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 44 N·m (32.5 lb ft).

  21. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.