help with changing rear shocks on '04 S60

grifken3 · Post by **grifken3** » 11 Oct 2009, 19:33

I need to replace the rear shocks on my '04 S60 and am not sure where to start. I'm using Monroe brand as I don't have Nivomat shocks. What tools do I need? My bushings are fine. Is there anything else I need to change?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Oct 2009, 07:23

Hey there, hope these files help:

S60 Shocks.pdf: (213.98 KiB) Downloaded 1165 times

4C.pdf: (212.83 KiB) Downloaded 523 times

Post by **cn90** » 24 Sep 2024, 23:43

I have done many P2 front struts etc at ~ 100K-110K miles...
By that time the front strut, seat bearing, seat are all bad.
This is a result of engine weight and every you brake, the weight shifted to the front ends.
So, it makes sense that the front suspension is bad around that mileage.

My question is the Rear Shocks...at similar mileage, I replaced rear shocks bc "I am doing the front, I may as well do the rear shocks"...
The shocks at that mileage are really not that bad, maybe 80% of the norm, but not shot.
So I am now thinking rear shock is for 150K but not 100K.
What do you guys do?

Also, testing is a problem bc I am not strong enough to push the rear down, so I drive in an empty parking lot and look for those small speed bumps (1" tall) and go slowly over and see how the rear axle responds
What method (practical method) do you guys use for testing the rear?

Post by **scot850** » 25 Sep 2024, 16:31

Are you well enough to open the trunk and sit on the edge and bounce the rear?

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 26 Sep 2024, 09:28

How did you know they were 80% bad when you needlessly replaced the good ones on the other car? Use the same method?

Most relevant is to use actual driving tests. All shocks and struts will fail on usage more than on mileage. Does the front dive while braking, does the rear roll in a turn? Check if the rear gets floaty or bouncy at high speed, or bouncy over bumps at modest speed. If you can't tell if they are bad while driving then they are probably fine. Rears can last a long time but especially since you know the fronts are good in this car, the driving test will be most useful.

Last summer I replaced S60 rear shocks at 176k. They were toast. They were not leaking any oil but the rear had become bouncy and noisy, and the nose would dive when braking even though front struts had been done at 140k and were in great shape still.