Strut Assembly - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear shock absorber assembly on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 5.3L V8 engine and RWD configuration.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at differential or rear axle center
5. Place jack stands under frame rails on both sides, even if replacing only one shock
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability before proceeding
7. Remove rear wheel completely and set aside
8. Spray penetrating oil on shock mounting bolts if vehicle has significant rust or corrosion, allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle tube near the shock being replaced. Raise jack until it just makes contact and supports the axle weight, but does not lift the vehicle. This prevents the axle from dropping when the shock is removed and maintains suspension geometry during installation.
2. 2

   Remove lower shock mounting bolt
   Locate the lower shock mounting bolt that attaches the shock to the rear axle bracket. Using an 18mm wrench to hold the nut on the backside and an 18mm socket on the bolt head, remove the lower mounting bolt completely. The shock will now be supported only by the upper mount.
   ⚠Ensure the floor jack is properly supporting the axle before removing this bolt. The suspension may shift slightly when the bolt is removed.
3. 3

   Access upper shock mount
   From inside the truck bed, locate the upper shock mount access. On 2014-2018 Silverado 1500 models, this is typically accessed by pulling back the bed carpet or removing a small plastic access panel near the bed floor above the rear axle. The upper mount nuts will be visible once access is gained.
4. 4

   Remove upper shock mounting nuts
   Using a 15mm socket, remove the two upper shock tower mounting nuts. Hold the shock from below to prevent it from falling once the nuts are removed. On some models there may be a rubber bushing isolator that should be kept with the old shock for reference during new shock installation.
5. 5

   Remove shock assembly
   Carefully lower the shock assembly down and out from the wheel well. Inspect the mounting points on both the axle bracket and the frame for any damage, excessive rust, or worn bushings. Clean mounting surfaces with a wire brush if necessary.
6. 6

   Prepare new shock assembly
   Unpack the new shock assembly and verify it matches the old unit in overall length, mounting configuration, and bushing style. Ensure all bushings and hardware are properly positioned on the new shock. Some shocks come with new mounting hardware that should be used instead of the original bolts.
7. 7

   Install upper shock mount
   Guide the new shock assembly up through the lower mount and align the upper studs with the holes in the frame tower. Start both upper mounting nuts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Do not fully tighten yet.
8. 8

   Install lower shock mount
   While supporting the shock, align the lower shock eye with the mounting bracket on the axle. You may need to use the floor jack to raise or lower the axle slightly to align the holes. Insert the lower mounting bolt and start the nut by hand. Ensure the bolt passes through any spacers or bushings in the correct orientation.
9. 9

   Torque upper shock tower nuts
   Using a torque wrench with 15mm socket, torque the upper shock tower nuts to specification. Torque both nuts evenly in a cross pattern.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Torque lower shock bolt
    Using an 18mm wrench to hold the nut and a torque wrench with 18mm socket on the bolt head, torque the lower shock mounting bolt to the strut bolt specification. The vehicle suspension should be at normal ride height (supported by jack stands) during this torquing operation.
    ℹ️Some service manuals specify torquing suspension fasteners at normal ride height. The jack stand positioning approximates this condition sufficiently for shock mounting bolts.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts144 Nm (106 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel
    Clean the wheel hub surface and wheel mounting surface with a wire brush. Mount the wheel onto the hub and start all lug nuts by hand. Thread each lug nut at least 3-4 turns by hand to ensure proper thread engagement and prevent cross-threading.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands, then remove the jack stands. Carefully lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Using a torque wrench and 21mm socket, torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any bed carpet or access panels that were moved to access the upper shock mounts
2. Remove wheel chocks from front wheels
3. If replacing shocks in pairs, repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side

Verification

• Bounce each corner of the vehicle firmly several times. The shock should dampen movement within 1-2 cycles. Continued bouncing indicates shock failure
• Verify no rattles or clunking noises from the rear suspension when bouncing the vehicle
• Visually inspect upper and lower shock mounts to confirm all fasteners are present and properly seated
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area. The rear suspension should feel controlled over bumps with no harshness or excessive bouncing
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check the torque on all shock mounting fasteners to ensure nothing has loosened
• Listen for any unusual noises from the rear suspension during normal driving that could indicate improper installation

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