Open the Box With Confidence Before Your Vehicle Leaves the Ground
You've found the right shocks for your truck, SUV, or car. You've double-checked the year, make, model, and trim level. You're ready to click Add to Cart, but then a thought stops you: Do these shocks actually come with the hardware I need to install them, or will I be stuck mid-install without a bushing?
It's one of the most common questions our team answers at Shockwarehouse, and it's a smart one. Nobody wants to have a vehicle sitting on jack stands only to discover that a washer, sleeve, or nut is missing. In this guide, we'll explain what mounting hardware usually ships with shocks and struts, what is typically reused from the vehicle, and how to make sure you have everything before you start wrenching.
The Quick Answer: Most Shocks Include the Required Shock Hardware
Most shocks and struts from major manufacturers include the hardware specifically required for the shock itself. Depending on the mounting design, that may include bushings, sleeves, washers, grommets, or retaining nuts. This applies to many products from brands such as Bilstein, FOX, Rancho, Monroe, KYB, KONI, Gabriel, and others carried by Shockwarehouse.
However, the exact contents vary by manufacturer, part number, and mounting style. Vehicle-side mounting bolts, brackets, and other factory fasteners are generally reused unless the product description specifically says replacements are included.
When we refer to mounting hardware, we're talking about the small but critical parts that connect the shock to the vehicle's frame, body, axle, or control arm. This does not include the tools needed to complete the installation.
What's Typically in the Box?
When you open a new shock absorber, the package may contain several pieces of installation hardware in addition to the shock itself. What you receive depends on how the shock mounts to your vehicle.
Rubber or Polyurethane Bushings
Bushings are among the most common shock hardware components. They fit into eyelet-style mounts, which are the round rings located at the top, bottom, or both ends of certain shocks. The bushings create a vibration-dampening connection between the shock and the vehicle's mounting bracket.
Many shocks arrive with the bushings already pressed into the eyelets. Others package them separately in a small hardware bag. New bushings should generally be used with new shocks because old bushings may be cracked, compressed, hardened, or distorted.
Some performance shocks use polyurethane or another specialized bushing material instead of conventional rubber. When those bushings are required for installation, they are typically supplied with the shock.
Metal Sleeves or Crush Tubes
Metal sleeves, sometimes called crush tubes or inner sleeves, fit through the center of certain shock bushings. The mounting bolt passes through the sleeve rather than pressing directly against the rubber.
The sleeve allows the mounting bolt to be tightened correctly without crushing or deforming the bushing. It also helps maintain the proper spacing and alignment inside the vehicle's mounting bracket.
If a replacement shock requires a specific sleeve for its eyelet mount, that sleeve is commonly installed in the bushing or included in the package. Always compare the new sleeve and bushing dimensions with the components being removed before installation.
Washers and Grommets
Washers and grommets are commonly included with stem-mount shocks. They sit above and below the vehicle's mounting surface and help secure the threaded shock stem while isolating noise and vibration.
The washers distribute clamping pressure across the rubber grommets. This prevents the retaining nut from cutting into the rubber or compressing one area unevenly.
Retaining Nuts
If one end of the shock uses a threaded stem or stud mount, the corresponding retaining nut is often included. Some manufacturers provide a locking nut or nylon-insert nut to help prevent loosening caused by vibration.
Always use the nut supplied by the manufacturer when one is included. Thread pitch and locking designs can vary, even when two nuts appear similar.
What Determines Which Hardware You Receive?
The combination of hardware in the box depends primarily on the shock's mounting style at the top and bottom. A shock may use the same mount at both ends or two completely different mounting designs.
- Eyelet to eyelet: Usually includes installed bushings and any application-specific sleeves required at each end.
- Eyelet to stem: Commonly includes a bushing and sleeve for the eyelet, along with grommets, washers, and a retaining nut for the stem.
- Stem-to-stem: May include grommets, washers, and retaining nuts at both ends.
- Bar pin: The bar pin may already be installed in the shock bushing. Factory bolts are generally reused unless replacements are specifically listed.
- Cross pin or bayonet: The required pin or shock-specific retainer may be included or incorporated into the shock, depending on the application.
- Fork, clevis, or bracket mount: The mounting bracket is typically part of the shock or strut, while the vehicle's original bolts are usually reused.
Not sure which mounting type your vehicle uses? Our "Shock Absorber Mounting Types Explained" guide covers the most common styles, with helpful descriptions.
Complete Strut Assemblies Include More Than Bare Struts
If you're purchasing a complete strut assembly, sometimes called a loaded strut or quick strut, the package includes significantly more than a bare replacement strut.
Note: Different searches bring different results. Be sure to use our Vehicle Fitment Tool to find the correct part match for your vehicle.
A typical complete strut assembly includes:
- Strut damper
- Pre-compressed coil spring
- Upper strut mount
- Bearing plate, when required
- Bump stop
- Dust boot or bellows cover
- Spring seats and isolators
- Assembly-specific retaining hardware
Complete strut assemblies are designed to arrive as preassembled, bolt-in units. You don't need to transfer the old spring, upper mount, bearing, bump stop, or dust boot. You also avoid having to disassemble the old strut assembly with a spring compressor.
Brands such as Monroe Quick-Strut, KYB Strut-Plus, and Gabriel ReadyMount use this complete-assembly approach. However, the vehicle's lower strut bolts and some body-side mounting nuts may still need to be reused unless replacements are specifically included.
Do Shock Kits Include Hardware for Every Shock?
When you purchase a shock kit containing a front pair, a rear pair, or a complete four-piece set, each shock should include the same application-specific hardware it would have if purchased individually.
For example, if each rear shock requires two installed bushings and sleeves, the kit should contain those components for both rear shocks. You should not normally need to purchase a separate universal hardware package.
However, a kit does not automatically include replacement vehicle bolts, mounting brackets, sway bar links, upper mounts, or other surrounding suspension components. Review the product description carefully to understand exactly what is bundled with the kit.
When Might You Need Additional Parts?
Although many shock installations can be completed with the new shock hardware and the vehicle's existing fasteners, there are several situations in which additional parts may be necessary.
Bare Struts
A bare strut contains the damper portion of the strut assembly but does not normally include the coil spring, upper mount, bearing plate, dust boot, or bump stop. Those components must be transferred from the old assembly or purchased separately.
Components commonly reused with a bare strut include:
- Coil spring
- Upper strut mount
- Bearing plate
- Bump stop
- Dust boot
- Spring seats and isolators
If any of these parts are cracked, corroded, noisy, sagging, or otherwise worn, they should be replaced instead of being transferred to the new strut. This is one reason many DIY installers prefer complete assemblies.
For a detailed comparison, read our guide to Complete Strut Assemblies Vs Bare Struts.
Vehicle Mounting Bolts
The bolts that pass through the vehicle's mounting brackets are generally considered part of the vehicle, not part of the replacement shock. Therefore, shock manufacturers commonly expect you to reuse the original bolts.
Original mounting bolts can often be reused when their threads, heads, and shanks remain in good condition. However, replacement hardware may be necessary if the vehicle has experienced:
- Heavy corrosion or road-salt exposure
- Rounded or damaged bolt heads
- Stripped threads
- Bent mounting bolts
- Seized hardware
- Previous installation damage
Inspect the factory fasteners before beginning the installation. When replacements are needed, use hardware that matches the original diameter, length, thread pitch, strength grade, and manufacturer specifications.
Aftermarket or Modified Suspensions
If your vehicle has a lift kit, leveling kit, lowering kit, custom axle, or another suspension modification, make sure the replacement shocks are designed for that configuration.
A shock intended for stock ride height may have the wrong extended length, compressed length, mounting design, or sleeve dimensions for a modified suspension. Some lift kits also use relocation brackets, adapters, or specialty sleeves that are not supplied with a standard replacement shock.
Vintage and Specialty Vehicles
Older, rare, or heavily customized vehicles may use non-standard mounting arrangements. An installation could require adapter brackets, conversion hardware, custom sleeves, or mounting components that are no longer included with modern replacement shocks.
If you're working on a vintage truck, classic SUV, custom chassis, or specialty vehicle, confirm the mounting dimensions and hardware requirements before ordering.
How to Verify What's Included Before Ordering
Want to be confident you'll have everything you need for the installation? Use these three steps before placing your order.
- Read the full product listing to verify the fitment and other specifications. Check the product description, specifications, photos, and notes for information about included bushings, sleeves, mounts, or installation hardware.
- Identify the upper and lower mounting types. Look at both ends of the existing shock. Determine whether each end uses an eyelet, stem, bar pin, fork, bracket, or another mounting design.
- Contact the Shockwarehouse team. Share your vehicle information and the part number you're considering. Our team can help confirm what is supplied with the product and identify anything that may need to be reused or purchased separately.
It is also a good idea to open and inspect every package before lifting the vehicle. Compare the new shocks with the old ones and make sure all listed components are present.
The Bottom Line
Most quality replacement shocks include the shock-specific bushings, sleeves, washers, grommets, or retaining nuts required by their mounting design. However, the exact contents depend on the manufacturer, part number, and vehicle application.
Complete strut assemblies include the spring, mount, bearing, dust boot, bump stop, and other major assembly components. Bare struts require several parts to be transferred from the old assembly or purchased separately.
The components most commonly reused are the vehicle's factory mounting bolts and surrounding brackets. Those parts may need to be replaced if they are rusted, seized, bent, stripped, or damaged.
If you're unsure about a product, it's always better to verify the package contents before ordering. A few minutes of preparation can prevent hours of frustration during installation.
Need help choosing the correct shocks or struts? Browse our full selection of suspension products or contact the Shockwarehouse team for more expert recommendations.
