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2018–2024 Honda Odyssey Rear Shock Replacement: Easy DIY Guide

·5 mins

A knocking sound from the right rear of my 2019 Honda Odyssey led me to a shock absorber that was leaking oil, covered in rust, and completely worn out at only 75,000 miles. This guide follows the complete replacement process, from safely lifting the van to installing and torquing a new Monroe rear shock.

The repair shown is on a 2019 model and applies to the 2018–2024 Honda Odyssey generation. Always confirm the correct replacement part and torque specifications for your exact year and trim before beginning.

Watch the Video #

What a Failed Rear Shock Looks Like #

The old shock was visibly oily and rusty. It also moved back and forth far too easily, confirming that it was no longer controlling suspension movement properly.

Leaking and rusted rear shock on a Honda Odyssey

Parts and Tools #

If you prefer original Honda parts, the part number varies by trim:

  • LX/EX: 52610-THR-A02
  • EX-L/Touring: 52610-THR-A12
  • Elite: 52610-THR-A22

Verify the part against your VIN before ordering.

1. Secure the Van and Remove the Wheel #

Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Slightly loosen the rear wheel’s lug nuts with the van still on the ground.

Lift the side of the vehicle with the factory jack, making sure it contacts the correct factory jacking point.

Factory jack positioned under the Honda Odyssey jacking point

Remove the lug nuts and wheel. I placed the wheel underneath the vehicle as an additional precaution and put cardboard beneath the suspension to keep any oil from the failed shock off the concrete.

Never work underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use properly rated lifting and support equipment, and follow the owner’s manual.

2. Remove the Upper Shock Mounting Nuts #

The rear shock is secured by two upper nuts and one lower nut. Begin at the upper mount.

Two upper mounting nuts on the Honda Odyssey rear shock

Apply penetrating oil to the upper nuts, then use a wire brush to remove rust from the nuts and exposed threads. Remove both upper mounting nuts with a 14 mm socket and ratchet.

3. Remove the Lower Mounting Nut and Washer #

Use a 17 mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lower mounting nut. It may be considerably tighter than the upper nuts.

Lower mounting nut on the Honda Odyssey rear shock

Behind the lower nut is a specially shaped washer. Note its position and which side faces the shock before removing it; the washer must go back in the same orientation.

Specially shaped washer from the Honda Odyssey lower shock mount

The lower eye of the shock slides over a fixed mounting stud.

Lower rear shock mounting stud on a Honda Odyssey

Mine did not come free immediately. I used a mallet with a small piece of wood, then moved the upper part of the shock from side to side about 20 times. After working it back and forth, the lower mount slid off easily.

Once removed, the old shock’s condition was unmistakable: oil poured onto the cardboard, and the shaft moved with almost no resistance.

Oil leaking from the removed Honda Odyssey rear shock

4. Prepare and Install the New Shock #

I chose a Monroe replacement after checking several owner forums. The new unit is a direct replacement for the failed shock shown in the video.

New Monroe rear shock for the Honda Odyssey

Before installation, apply a small amount of Permatex anti-seize lubricant to the lower mounting stud. This should make the shock easier to remove if it needs replacement again.

Applying Permatex anti-seize to the lower shock mounting stud

Position the new shock with the lower mount first:

  1. Slide the lower eye of the shock onto the mounting stud.
  2. Reinstall the shaped washer in its original orientation.
  3. Thread on the lower nut, but only tighten it lightly for now.

5. Align the Upper Mounts #

Place a second jack beneath the rear suspension and raise it slightly. Changing the suspension height brings the upper shock brackets into alignment with their mounting studs.

Using a second jack to raise the Honda Odyssey rear suspension

Adjust the height until the right bracket lines up, install its nut, then raise the suspension a little farther to align the left bracket. Once both sides are seated correctly, reinstall the second nut.

Aligning the upper mounts of the new Honda Odyssey rear shock

6. Torque the Mounting Hardware #

The torque values used in the video are:

  • Upper mounting nuts: 32 N·m
  • Lower mounting nut: 65 N·m

Use a torque wrench for accurate tightening. Confirm these specifications for your exact vehicle before relying on them.

7. Reinstall the Wheel #

Put the wheel back on and snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Reinstalling the rear wheel after replacing the Honda Odyssey shock

Lower the vehicle, then tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to the manufacturer’s specified torque.

Results #

After the first test drive, everything worked as expected. The replacement shock did not feel significantly different from the original shock when it was in good condition, and the repair addressed the failed, leaking unit. I plan to check back after longer-term use to see how the Monroe shock performs.

Quick Tips #

  • Photograph the shaped lower washer before removing it so you can restore its orientation.
  • Penetrating oil and a wire brush help with rusty upper hardware.
  • If the lower shock eye is stuck, protect it with wood when using a mallet and work the shock gently from side to side.
  • A second jack makes upper-mount alignment much easier.
  • Keep cardboard under a leaking shock to protect the floor.
  • Verify parts and torque specifications for your exact Odyssey year and trim.