How to Replace the Shocks on a Toyota

The shocks are an integral part of your suspension, and when they go out, you can have problems with tire wear and handling, and you could potentially get into an accident. Fixing the problem is simple and should take about an hour to do. In this case, the vehicle is a 1995 Toyota Tacoma two-wheel-drive pickup, but the process is the same for many other Toyota vehicles.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Tire iron
• Vice grips
• Open-end wrench set
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• Replacement shocks
• Scissors

1. Front Suspension

   • 1

     Lift up the vehicle using the jack, and place it on jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is secure before you crawl underneath it.

   • 2

     Remove the tires, using the tire iron. Place the tires off to the side, away from the workspace.

   • 3

     Unbolt the top of the shock from the frame by clamping the vice grips to the top of the shock shaft and placing the open-end wrench on the top nut. The vice grips will stop the shock from turning while you unbolt the shock.

   • 4

     Unbolt the bottom of the shock, using the 3/8-inch ratchet. You can now remove the shock.

   • 5

     Install the new shocks in the reverse order in which the old ones were removed.

   Rear Suspension

   • 1

     Unbolt the top of the shock from the frame, using the 3/8-inch ratchet.

   • 2

     Unbolt the bottom of the shock from the frame, using the 3/8-inch ratchet. You can pull the shock off the frame at this time.

   • 3

     Install the top mount of the replacement shock onto the top mount of the frame, using the 3/8-inch ratchet.

   • 4

     Hold the bottom of the shock in place with your arm, and use the scissors to cut the strap that ties the shock together. The shock will decompress quickly, so slide it onto the lower shock mount as it decompresses.

   • 5

     Bolt the bottom mount onto the truck, using the 3/8-inch ratchet. Reinstall the tires with the tire iron, and lift the vehicle off the stands using the jack.