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Moderate⏱ 2 - 3 h13 steps·Original on iFixit ↗

How To Replace the Rear Shock Absorbers in Your 2018–2024 Toyota Camry

This guide shows how to replace the rear shocks on your 2018-2024 Toyota Camry.

Shock absorbers do exactly as they say: they absorb shock, generally slowing your suspension travel down, helping keep your tires in contact with the road, ensuring more secure handling. Their proper operation is important for your vehicle's safety.

Excessive bouncing, uneven tire wear, or a rough ride are symptoms of worn-out shocks.

Note: Several fasteners must be torqued to specific values on reassembly, so a torque wrench is an essential tool.

Tools (10)

Parts (1)

Step-by-step instructions

1

Lift the rear of the vehicle

  • [youtubetimestamp|0|20.9]Position a floor jack at the designated rear jack point and raise the vehicle high enough to reach all shock fasteners.
  • Leave enough clearance to crawl under the suspension if additional leverage or tool access is needed.
2

Set the vehicle on stands

  • [youtubetimestamp|25.4|41.8]Slide jack stands under the rear pinch welds on both sides and lower the vehicle onto the stands.
  • [youtubetimestamp|25.4|41.8]Keep the floor jack close; it will be required to support the suspension during removal and installation.
3

Remove both rear wheels

  • [youtubetimestamp|41.8|63.5]Loosen and remove the lug nuts, then pull each wheel clear of the work area.
  • [youtubetimestamp|41.8|63.5]An impact wrench speeds the process, but a hand wrench is fine as well.
4

Remove the two upper shock bolts

  • [youtubetimestamp|70.5|89.2]Unthread the two 17 mm bolts securing the shock to the body.
  • Hand tools work; power tools only shorten the job.
5

Loosen and remove the lower shock nut and stud

  • [youtubetimestamp|89.2|152.4]Compress the shock slightly and rotate it to gain tool access to the lower 22 mm nut.
  • [youtubetimestamp|89.2|152.4]Use a 22MM combination wrench to break the 22MM nut loose and remove it, retaining the washer for re‑installation.
  • [youtubetimestamp|89.2|152.4] Use a 12 mm socket on the stud hex end to unscrew the stud from the control arm. This is very tight.
  • [youtubetimestamp|89.2|152.4]Factory‑installed fasteners can be very tight; use a breaker bar for extra leverage and keep the socket fully seated to avoid rounding the hex.
  • [youtubetimestamp|89.2|152.4]If the stud will not budge, or you don't want to remove it, you can still replace the shock by lowering the suspension, go to [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/edit/185985/394898|Step 9|new_window=true].
  • [youtubetimestamp|89.2|152.4]You can remove the shock at this point and go on to the next step.
6

Detach the upper mount from the shock

  • [youtubetimestamp|243.6|314.5]Pry off the plastic dust cap to expose the upper 17 mm nut.
  • [youtubetimestamp|243.6|314.5]Hold the shock shaft with a 6 mm hex key and remove the 17 mm nut with a box wrench or pass‑through socket to release the mount.
  • [youtubetimestamp|243.6|314.5]The Allen key prevents the shaft from spinning inside the shock body.
  • [youtubetimestamp|243.6|314.5]When the 17 mm nut is removed, you can slide the mount off the shock body.
7

Prepare the new shock assembly

  • [youtubetimestamp|315.7|350.9]Slide the upper mount onto the new shock in the same orientation as removed.
  • Tighten the 17 mm nut until it bottoms out while holding the shaft with the 6 mm Allen key.
  • Reinstall the dust cap to keep dirt out of the threads.
8

Reinstall the lower stud

  • [youtubetimestamp|350.9|367]Thread the stud back into the lower control arm and torque it securely. Use a 12 mm hex socket on the hex end to turn it.
9

Support and unload the suspension

  • [youtubetimestamp|373.9|401.5]Position the floor jack under the lower control arm to carry the suspension weight.
  • Remove the 12 mm bolt securing the brake hose bracket to the body.
  • Unthread the 14 mm bolt at the upper control arm mount to allow the suspension to drop.
10

Lower the suspension for shock access

  • [youtubetimestamp|407.1|427]Slowly release the jack to drop the control arm until the shock can be slid free of the wheel well.
  • [youtubetimestamp|407.1|427]If you have skipped here from Step 5, you can now go back to [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/edit/185985/394895|Step 6|new_window=true] to prepare the new shocks for installation
  • [youtubetimestamp|407.1|427]Use the same motion during installation to guide the new shock into position without forcing components.
11

Secure the new shock at the lower mount

  • [youtubetimestamp|427|449.2]Slide the shock eye onto the stud, install the saved washer, and thread on the 22 mm nut.
  • [youtubetimestamp|427|449.2]Use a 22 mm socket to tighten the nut firmly while keeping the shock correctly seated on the stud. Torque this nut to 92 ft-lb (125Nm) with a torque wrench per ALLDATA.
  • [youtubetimestamp|427|449.2]Raise the jack to return the suspension to its normal height.
12

Reattach the upper bolts and brackets

  • [youtubetimestamp|449.2|456]Use a 17 mm socket to install the two upper mounting bolts.
  • [youtubetimestamp|449.2|456]Use a torque wrench to torque the two upper 17 mm shock mounting bolts to 29 ft lb (39.3 Nm) to secure the shock to the body.
  • [youtubetimestamp|449.2|456]Reinstall the 14 mm upper control arm bolt and use a torque wrench to tighten to 54 ft lb (73 Nm)
  • [youtubetimestamp|449.2|456]Reinstall the 12 mm brake hose bracket bolt, tightening to 21 ft lb (29 Nm).
13

Refit wheels and lower the vehicle

  • [youtubetimestamp|463.4|483.3]Install both wheels, tighten the lug nuts, and remove the jack stands.
  • Lower the Camry slowly so the new shocks compress in a controlled manner.

Conclusion

After driving a short distance, re‑check lug nuts for proper torque.

Dispose of used shocks as directed by the manufacturer. They contain oil and pressurized gases.

Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers Community for help.

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