The rear shock absorbers on the 2000 Buick LeSabre are mounted to the rear suspension knuckle and to the bottom of the vehicle trunk. This vehicle is equipped with electronic ride control which means the shocks are adjusted by air when driving to help create a smoother ride. Replacing the shocks will require pulling down the trunk carpeting to access the upper shock mounts.
Open the trunk lid. Pull down both sides of the trunk carpeting to reveal the shock mount covers. Squeeze the middle of the shock mount covers and lift them off of the shock mounts.
Lift the rear of the vehicle with the floor jack. Place two jack stands under the rear frame rails of the vehicle (one under each frame rail). Lower the floor jack until the vehicle securely rests on the jack stands.
Place the remaining two jack stands under each of the rear control arms and raise the jack stand as tight to the control arms as possible to prevent them from dropping when the shocks are removed from the vehicle.
Remove the upper shock mounting bolts with the 12 mm socket and ratchet. Lift the shock reinforcement from the shock mounting studs and set it aside.
Lie under the vehicle and remove the electronic ride control air line from each of the rear shocks. Remove the lower mounting bolts from the shock and control arm knuckle with the 15 mm socket and ratchet.
Pull the shock away from the control arm knuckle and down from the vehicle. If the shock does not want to pull free from the steering knuckle, it can be tapped with a rubber mallet to break it loose.
Lift the shock into the upper mounting holes in the bottom of the trunk, making sure the air tube nipple faces the electronic ride control air line. Slide the lower shock mount into the lower control arm knuckle. Install the lower mounting bolts and leave them slightly loose.
Place the upper shock reinforcement over the shock mounting studs in the trunk of the vehicle. Hand-tighten the shock mounting nuts.
Lie down under the vehicle and tighten the shock lower mounting bolts to 18 foot-pounds torque with the 15 mm socket and torque wrench. Install the electronic ride control air line onto the air line nipples on the shock.
Lift the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands from under the control arms and from under the rear frame rails. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
Tighten the shock upper mounting nuts to 15 foot-pounds of torque with the 12 mm socket and torque wrench. Clip the upper shock mount covers over the shock mounts. Place the trunk carpet back into place.
