Rear Shocks - Pair

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of both rear shock absorbers on the 2024 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber (left) × 1 — Use OEM Rivian specification
• Rear shock absorber (right) × 1 — Use OEM Rivian specification
• Upper shock mounting hardware kit × 1 — Replace if worn or damaged
• Lower shock mounting hardware kit × 1 — Replace if worn or damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Disconnect 12V auxiliary battery negative terminal and wait 5 minutes
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at designated lift points
6. Support vehicle securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified points on frame rails
7. Remove both rear wheels completely
8. Inspect suspension components for additional wear or damage while accessible
9. Apply penetrating lubricant to shock mounting bolts and allow to soak

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper shock mounting area
   Open rear cargo doors or access panels to reach the upper shock tower mounting points. On the EDV 500, you may need to remove interior panels or trim pieces in the cargo area to access the top shock mounts. Identify both upper shock mount nuts/bolts.
2. 2

   Support rear axle assembly
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle or trailing arm near the shock being replaced. Raise jack just enough to take slight load off the shock absorber, but do not lift the vehicle. This prevents the suspension from dropping excessively when shock is removed and aids in installation.
3. 3

   Remove upper shock mounting fasteners (driver side)
   Working from inside the cargo area or wheel well, locate the upper shock mount. Remove the upper mounting nut or bolt while holding the shock shaft with a wrench if necessary to prevent spinning. Keep all hardware organized for comparison with new parts.
4. 4

   Remove lower shock mounting fasteners (driver side)
   Working from beneath the vehicle, locate the lower shock mounting bolt that connects the shock to the axle housing or trailing arm. Remove the lower mounting bolt completely. Support the shock as you remove the last fastener to prevent it from falling.
5. 5

   Remove driver side shock absorber
   Carefully maneuver the shock absorber out from its mounting position. It may need to be angled or rotated to clear surrounding components. Inspect mounting bushings and hardware for wear or damage. If shock is integral with spring, use spring compressor before separating components.
6. 6

   Install new driver side shock absorber
   Position the new shock absorber into place, aligning the upper mount first. Insert the upper mounting hardware loosely. Then align the lower mount and insert lower mounting bolt finger-tight. Ensure shock is properly oriented with any directional markings or valving facing correct direction per manufacturer specifications.
7. 7

   Torque driver side shock mounting fasteners
   With vehicle weight on suspension (jack under axle slightly loaded), torque upper shock mount fastener first, then lower mount fastener. Since manufacturer torque specifications are not available in database, follow standard suspension torque values: typically 75-95 ft-lb for lower mount and 35-50 ft-lb for upper mount. Consult Rivian service manual or dealer for exact specifications.
8. 8

   Remove upper shock mounting fasteners (passenger side)
   Repeat the upper shock removal process for the passenger side. Working from inside the cargo area or wheel well, remove the upper mounting nut or bolt while preventing shock shaft rotation if necessary.
9. 9

   Remove lower shock mounting fasteners (passenger side)
   Remove the lower shock mounting bolt from the passenger side, supporting the shock to prevent it from falling once the fastener is fully removed.
10. 10

    Remove passenger side shock absorber
    Extract the passenger side shock from its mounting position, maneuvering carefully to clear all components. Inspect all mounting points and bushings for wear.
11. 11

    Install new passenger side shock absorber
    Install the new passenger side shock by positioning upper mount first, then aligning lower mount. Insert all hardware finger-tight initially, ensuring proper shock orientation.
12. 12

    Torque passenger side shock mounting fasteners
    With suspension loaded by jack support, torque the passenger side shock mounting fasteners using the same torque values applied to the driver side: upper mount 35-50 ft-lb, lower mount 75-95 ft-lb, or per Rivian service specifications.
13. 13

    Remove axle support and reinstall wheels
    Carefully lower and remove the floor jack from under the rear axle. Reinstall both rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand initially. Torque lug nuts to Rivian specification (typically 150 ft-lb for this vehicle class) in a star pattern.

Reassembly

1. Double-check all shock mounting fasteners are properly torqued
2. Verify no tools or parts were left in wheel wells or cargo area
3. Reinstall any interior panels or trim pieces removed for upper shock access
4. Reconnect 12V auxiliary battery negative terminal
5. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Lower vehicle completely to ground and remove jack stands
• Bounce each rear corner of vehicle to verify shocks are functioning and properly mounted with no unusual noises
• Perform a visual inspection of all shock mounting points to ensure proper alignment and no interference
• Test drive vehicle at low speed to verify proper shock operation and handling characteristics
• Listen for any clunking, rattling, or abnormal suspension noises during test drive
• Verify vehicle ride height appears normal and even side-to-side
• Re-torque all fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving as final verification

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