How to change shocks and struts for '02 - '09 Chevy TrailBlazer

Make sure you chock wheels and engage the parking brake to keep the car steady. Wear safety gloves and goggles. Break lug nuts before raising the vehicle. Use a strong and secure hydraulic jack and jack stands. Make sure the engine is not running. Do not smoke while working on the vehicle. Remove any rings, watches or jewelry, and tie up long hair or loose clothing.

Break the lug nuts before jacking up the car. Use secure points for the jack and jack stands. Remove the wheel once the vehicle is safely raised.

Should be able to do this with a screwdriver. Just remove the three screws, remove the cover, then move the air filter hose out of the way.

Coming in from under the hood through the opening created by moving the air filter case and hose. Use an 18mm socket with an extension.

Back in the wheel well now. Use a 10mm socket. There are two bolts holding it in place.

A simple screwdriver will open the tab, then the cable can be set aside.

Use a 15mm wrench and 15mm deep socket here.

This may take some jiggling.

Size is 18mm.

Size is 24mm.

Pull that whole thing out. You may need help from a mallet here.

Set up some wood for stability and use a punch and a mallet.

Use a punch or separator with a mallet to help here.

Leave the separator in. Fit the bracket over the lip of the strut, and then remove the separator.

The mallet helps.

The strut arm bracket should be attached. You may need an extra pair of hands to hold everything in place and line everything up. Line up the top studs with top holes and slide the bottom of the bracket back onto the lower control arm stud.

Under the hood: Install the top nuts. Attach the air filter hose, filter, and install the cover (on passenger side). Install the bottom nut on the lower control arm stud. Install the nut on the bracket bolt clamping onto the strut assembly. Reattach the knuckle to the upper control arm. Install the upper control arm bolt and nut. Install the wheel speed sensor. Install the brake hose.

Put the wheel back on. Tighten the lug nuts (not all the way). Raise the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Lower until the wheel is just touching, then torque the lug nuts to 103 ft. lbs. Then lower the vehicle the rest of the way.

Then you're ready to move to the rear.

Continue following the same safety procedures each time you move to a new wheel. For the back, break the lug nuts, raise the vehicle, set on jack stands, and remove the wheel following the same safety steps as the front.

This will support the knuckle and also help with alignment during installation.

These are at the base of the shock. Use an 18mm socket and wrench. You may need help from the mallet getting the bolt out. Adjust the jack for alignment to help with removing the bolt. Save the bolt and nut to install with the new shock.

Still using the 18mm socket and wrench. This is at the top of the shock and should be easy to reach. Save the bolt and nut to install with the new shock.

Line up the top and bottom and then install the nuts and bolts.

Start with the top nut and bolt, and then install the bottom. Install both before tightening, then tighten each. Adjust the jack to help with alignment if needed.

Remove the jack from the support position. Install the wheel and lugs. Raise the vehicle with the jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle until the wheel is just touching, then torque the lug nuts to 103 ft. lbs.

Go for a test drive to get a feel for the new suspension. It's a good idea to get an alignment check after a job like this, as well. After that, enjoy your safer, smoother ride.