# Installing rear shocks

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** astro, chevrolet\
**Created:** [July 20, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693 "2009-07-20T16:42:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pbainth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@pbainth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pbainth)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693/1 "2009-07-20T16:42:54Z")

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I have a 2000 chevy astro van that I use as my truck. I need to install some heavy shocks I bought for the rear of the van. I have never installed shocks before and I need to know how to install them.  
  
 pbainth

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693/2 "2009-07-20T17:19:06Z")

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Autozone has an online repair guide for the Astro. Here are the instructions for rear shock replacement.

[http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp;jsessionid=31C019DB82E610C4EF65E0BA9111951F.diyprod4-b2c7?chapterTitle=Rear+Suspension&partName=Suspension&pageId=0900c15280227c6e&subChapterTitle=Shock+Absorbers&partId=0900c15280227cf4](http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp;jsessionid=31C019DB82E610C4EF65E0BA9111951F.diyprod4-b2c7?chapterTitle=Rear+Suspension&partName=Suspension&pageId=0900c15280227c6e&subChapterTitle=Shock+Absorbers&partId=0900c15280227cf4)

Registration on the site may be needed to access the repair guide.

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**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693/3 "2009-07-20T19:33:52Z")

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I have always found that the work and pain involved in this DIY project is not worth the $15 or $20 labor charge per shock. This is one of the few jobs I would recommend a place like Sears – get their lifetime guaranteed shocks, check out their sales (usually there may be either free labor, a percent discount on total bill, or some other advertised deal going on). A good mechanic with the proper lifts and tools can do it in half the time, and there is no compromise on safety that may occur during a DIY job.

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**Author:** ![meaneyedcatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meaneyedcatz/32/692_2.png) [@meaneyedcatz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meaneyedcatz)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693/4 "2009-07-21T00:38:32Z")

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shocks are easy. after setting up all the proper safety related equipment, pull the bolts and swap them out

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-rear-shocks/33693/5 "2009-07-21T00:41:25Z")

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You may need a floor jack to support the axle as the shocks may be the only thing holding it up now…