2006 Kia Sedona Rear Shocks

I couldn't find many instructions on how to do this task, so thought I would make some.

Set your parking brake; chock a front tire, forwards and backwards. Loosen lug nuts with tire iron or impact while vehicle is on the ground. Place hydraulic jack under frame member forward of rear tire (see picture). Place jack-stand behind rear tire under frame (see picture). Slowly lower the hydraulic jack until the car rest on the jack-stand. Reposition the hydraulic jack under the main spring to support rear axle once the existing shock is removed.

With the jacks in place, remove the bottom flange nut from lower shock. Remove the 5 flange bolts from the upper shock assembly.

Using a box cutter, cut two lines into the dust boot, pry back. Firmly attach channel locks to the piston rod to keep from rotating. Remove the top two nuts of the shock with a impact, separating the mounting bracket from the shock. Pay close attention to the orientation of the rubber bushings and plated washers. (You will compress the rubber bushing in this step)

Assemble new shock to the mount. Affix the bottom of the shock to the vehicle, hand tighten flange nut and washer.

Using the hydraulic jack, manipulate the height of the axle, raising it enough so the bracket is just above the holes. (You will be able to pull the shock up or down very easy with your hand) Insert five flange bolts in the holes, tighten in an opposing pattern. I did not use a torque wrench but tightened till I couldn't turn any more.

Once all your bolts and nuts are torqued down, replace tire, hand threading lug nuts. Reposition hydraulic Jack to just forward of the rear tire to the frame and lift the vehicle to remove jack stand. Slowly lower the vehicle and remove the jack. Torque down lug nuts on your tire. Repeat on the drivers side, noting that you will only have to remove four flange bolts from the mounting bracket as opposed to five.

Test the vehicle for using various techniques such has hard stopping, rapid acceleration, low speed swerving, (pothole avoidance), driving over bumpy roads.

Bring the vehicle back to the shop or house and check to your lug nuts, tighten if necessary.