Rear Shocks - Pair

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of both rear shock absorbers on a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, including proper torque specifications and vehicle support requirements.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear shock absorber (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at designated rear jacking point
5. Place jack stands under rear subframe or designated lift points
6. Remove both rear wheels completely
7. Inspect shock absorbers for leaks or damage to confirm replacement is necessary

Procedure

1. 1

   Access passenger side rear shock upper mount
   Open the rear hatch. Fold down or remove the rear cargo floor panel to access the shock tower area. Locate the upper shock mount nuts in the rear wheel well area accessible from inside the cargo area. There may be plastic covers or trim pieces that need to be removed for access.
2. 2

   Remove passenger side upper shock mounting nuts
   Using a 15mm socket, remove the upper shock tower nuts securing the shock to the body. There are typically 2-3 nuts per shock. Support the shock absorber from below with your hand or have an assistant hold it to prevent it from dropping once the nuts are removed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove passenger side lower shock mounting bolt
   Locate the lower shock mounting bolt that attaches the shock to the rear suspension knuckle or lower control arm. Use an 18mm socket to remove this bolt. You may need to support the suspension slightly with a jack to relieve tension on the bolt. Once removed, carefully lower and remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Install passenger side replacement shock
   Position the new shock absorber into place, inserting the upper mount studs through the shock tower holes first. Guide the lower mounting point into position on the suspension knuckle. Thread the lower mounting bolt by hand initially to hold the shock in place.
5. 5

   Torque passenger side shock mounting hardware
   First, install and hand-tighten the upper shock tower nuts. Then torque the lower shock bolt to specification using a torque wrench. Finally, torque the upper shock tower nuts to specification. Ensure all fasteners are properly seated before applying torque.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Access driver side rear shock upper mount
   From inside the cargo area, locate the driver side shock tower access point. Remove any trim panels or covers necessary to access the upper mounting nuts on the driver side.
7. 7

   Remove driver side upper shock mounting nuts
   Using a 15mm socket, remove the upper shock tower nuts on the driver side. Support the shock from below to prevent it from falling once the nuts are removed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove driver side lower shock mounting bolt
   Remove the lower mounting bolt securing the driver side shock to the suspension using an 18mm socket. Support the suspension as needed and carefully remove the old shock absorber from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install driver side replacement shock
   Install the new driver side shock absorber by positioning the upper mount studs through the shock tower first, then aligning the lower mounting point. Thread the lower bolt by hand to hold the shock in position.
10. 10

    Torque driver side shock mounting hardware
    Install and hand-tighten the upper shock tower nuts. Torque the lower shock bolt to specification, then torque the upper shock tower nuts to specification. Double-check that all fasteners are properly tightened.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Clean the wheel mounting surfaces with a wire brush if necessary. Install both rear wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the wheels just contact the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded.
12. 12

    Final torque and lower vehicle
    Torque the rear wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Remove jack stands and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Once the vehicle weight is fully on the wheels, perform a final torque check on all lug nuts in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any cargo area trim panels or covers that were removed for shock tower access
2. Verify all tools and parts have been removed from under the vehicle and cargo area
3. Test drive the vehicle in a safe area to verify proper shock operation and listen for any unusual noises

Verification

• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle; it should rebound once and settle without excessive oscillation
• Verify no rattling or clunking noises from rear suspension over small bumps
• Check that all mounting hardware is tight and properly torqued
• Inspect for any fluid leaks from new shock absorbers
• Confirm vehicle sits level and ride height appears normal

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