Rear shock absorbers play a vital role in a vehicle’s overall safety and performance. These components absorb the impact of bumps and rough roads, providing passengers with a smooth and comfortable ride.
However, like all mechanical parts, rear shock absorbers will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. This article will discuss replacing rear shock absorbers, including the factors that affect the time it takes, the replacement process, and an estimate of the average time for a replacement.
We will also highlight the importance of maintaining rear shock absorbers and the wear and tear signs showing its time for a replacement.
Factors that Affect the Time to Replace Rear Shock Absorbers
Several factors can affect the time it takes to replace rear shock absorbers, including:
1. Make and model of the vehicle
Different vehicles have different suspension systems, and the location and design of the rear shock absorbers can vary.
This can affect the time to access and remove the old shock absorbers and the time to install the new ones.
2. Difficulty of access to the shock absorbers
Depending on the vehicle’s design, some rear shock absorbers may be more challenging to access than others. This can significantly affect the time to remove and install new shock absorbers.
3. Condition of the existing shock absorbers
If the old shock absorbers are in poor condition, they may be difficult to remove, adding extra time to the replacement process.
4. Availability of replacement parts
The availability of replacement parts can also affect the time to replace rear shock absorbers. The replacement process can be completed relatively quickly if the parts are readily available. However, if the parts are challenging to get, it may take longer to complete the replacement.
5. Difficulty level of the task
The difficulty level of the task will also affect the time to replace rear shock absorbers, if you have a professional mechanic, the time it takes will be less, but if you are doing it by yourself, it might take more time and effort.
How Long Does It Take To Replace Rear Shock Absorbers?
The time to replace rear shock absorbers can vary depending on several factors, including the make and model of the vehicle, the difficulty of accessing the shock absorbers, the condition of the existing shock absorbers, and the availability of replacement parts.
It takes about 1 to 5 hours per shock absorber to replace rear shock absorbers. Still, it can take significantly longer if the vehicle is difficult to access or if the old shock absorbers are in poor condition.
The task’s difficulty level will also affect the time to replace rear shock absorbers. If you have a professional mechanic, the time it takes will be less, but if you are doing it by yourself, it might take more time and effort. It is best to consult a professional mechanic to get a more accurate estimate for your specific vehicle.
Should You Replace Both Rear Shocks At The Same Time?
I generally recommend it to replace both rear shocks simultaneously to ensure that the vehicle maintains proper balance and handling. If one shock is worn, the other is likely to be worn as well, so it makes sense to replace both at the same time to avoid the need for another repair soon.
When a vehicle’s suspension system is in good condition, all four wheels are in contact with the road surface and can absorb bumps and vibrations.
This ensures a smooth ride for the occupants of the vehicle. If one of the rear shocks is worn and not functioning correctly, the other rear shock will have to work harder to compensate for the worn shock. This can cause uneven wear on the tires, alignment issues, and even impact the vehicle’s stability and handling.
Replacing both rear shocks at the same time will ensure that the suspension system is balanced and working correctly, providing a smoother ride and increasing the life of other suspension components, such as tires and bushings. Additionally, it is cost-effective to replace both shocks at once rather than having to replace them one at a time.
Is Alignment Required After Shock Replacement?
It is a good idea to have the vehicle’s alignment checked and corrected if necessary after replacing the shocks. The shocks play an important role in maintaining the proper alignment of the wheels and suspension components.
When the shocks are worn or damaged, the alignment of the wheels can be affected, and this can cause uneven tire wear, poor handling, and increased fuel consumption. After new shocks are installed, the suspension geometry has been altered and the wheels may not be in their proper position relative to each other and the road.
An alignment will ensure that the vehicle’s wheels are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road, resulting in better handling, improved tire life, and a smoother ride.
It is also worth mentioning that if the vehicle is experiencing an alignment issue before the shock replacement it may be required to have an alignment done even before replacing the shocks.
Conclusion
The above article has given you a clearer idea of how much time is involved in replacing your shocks. While it can be done, it is not something that I encourage the average do-it-yourselfer to tackle. It is best left to professionals and those willing to take on high-dollar replacement shocks.
If your shocks need replacing, do it while they are easy to reach and you can put on new or rebuilt ones. Of course, there are other things you can do to keep your machine performing better and longer like checking the tire pressure regularly.
