I'm preparing to replace the rear shock absorbers and want to know how to put the rear on jack stands. I have the factory-installed ground effects panels around the bottom exterior side sills of the vehicle with special hoisting pads - they are labelled HOIST POINT. Do I have to use the floor jack to raise one side, place the jack stand there and then do the other to get both on floor jacks at the same time or do I replace 1 shock at a time? Also after both jack stands are in place, the Haynes repair manual says to raise the axle just enough to support the weight of the axle - is center of axle a valid point to place the floor jack?

thx

 

Also what size wrench do I need to remove the two bolts? seems like a 3/4 inch. don't want to mess up the bolt.

 

Put the jack stands under the axle, otherwise it will drop too far to get the new shock on. The bolts are 18mm heads.