How to replace rear shock absorbers on xc90? - 2010 Volvo XC90

check the vans rear shock absorbers if they are faulty the car can exhibit this type of behaviour and braking will be less efficient. Also tyre wear will be affected to.
I am not a shock absorber expert but had recently my four shock absorbers replaced as the fluid had ruptured in the front shockers and the rear mounts for the rear shockers were corroded and unsafe. (shock absorber expert at repair place mentioned the symptoms you are describing as a rear shock problem or the rear leaf springs are faulty)

It depends if you have the rear air shocks or not. If not, it's just a single bolt at the top and single bolt at the bottom that holds them on. If it's the air shock, your better off taking it to a shop to have them do the work.

Removal & Installation

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Support the rear axle and slightly lower the vehicle enough to lessen tension on the shock absorber.
3. Remove the lower shock absorber retaining nut and washer.
4. Disconnect the lower end of the shock absorber from the mounting stud.
5. Remove the shock absorber upper end retaining nut and washer.
6. Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Install the shock absorber onto the upper and lower mounting studs of the vehicle.
2. Install the washers and retaining nuts. Tighten the upper and lower retaining nuts to 22-30 ft. lbs. (30-41 Nm) on 2001-02 models or 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm) for the upper bolts and 47 ft. lbs. (64 Nm) on the lower bolts.
3. Lower the vehicle.

Increase the shock absorber to a higher level, make sure both side are equal,

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1983-86 Models

1. On 4-door sedan, remove the package tray and vent duct.
2. On hatchback, remove the speaker grilles.
3. Disconnect the brake line from the wheel cylinder. CAUTION
   Brake fluid contains polyglycol ethers and polyglycols. Avoid contact with the eyes and wash your hands thoroughly after handling brake fluid. If you do get brake fluid in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean, running water for 15 minutes. If eye irritation persists, or if you have taken brake fluid internally, IMMEDIATELY seek medical assistance.
   
4. Remove the brake line from the brake hose.
5. Disconnect the brake hose from its bracket on the shock absorber.
6. Loosen, but do not remove, the nut holding the suspension support to the shock absorber.
7. Unbolt the shock absorber from the rear arm.
8. Unbolt and extract the shock absorber from the body. To install:
   
9. Attach the shock absorber to the body and tighten the 3 nuts to 17 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
10. Engage the shock absorber bracket with the carrier and install the hardware. Tighten the nuts to 119 ft. lbs. (162 Nm).
11. Tighten the center suspension support nut to 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm). There is a bearing located under the suspension support dust cover. Remove the dust cover and pack the bearing with multi-purpose grease. Once packed, reinstall the dust cover.
12. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten each component to specifications.
13. Have the rear wheel alignment checked.

1987-88 Models

1. On wagon models, remove the toneau cover holder.
2. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle and support it safely. Block the front wheels.
3. Remove the rear wheels.
4. Using the proper size flare nut wrench, disconnect the backing plate hardware.
5. With a flare nut and a back-up wrench, disconnect the brake tube from the brake hose and use a small plastic container to collect the brake fluid.
6. Undo the clip and disconnect the brake hose from the shock absorber. NOTE: Before the axle bolts are removed, the axle carrier must be supported with a jack.
   
7. Support the axle carrier with a floor jack and remove the mounting bolts and nut. Disconnect the axle carrier from the shock absorber.
8. Support the shock absorber firmly by hand and remove the three mounting nuts. Remove the shock absorber from the body. To install:
   
9. Position the shock absorber onto the body and support it firmly by hand. Install the three nuts and tighten them to 23 ft. lbs. (31 Nm).
10. Attach the axle carrier to the shock absorber with the nuts and bolts. Tighten the nuts to 166 ft. lbs. (226 Nm).
11. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten each component to specifications.
12. Bleed the brake lines as described in Section 9.
13. Have the rear wheel alignment checked.

1989-96 Models

1. On the 4-door sedan, remove the package tray and vent duct. On 1992-96 models, it will be necessary to remove the rear seat back.
2. On the hatchback, remove the speaker grilles.
3. On the wagon models remove the tonnue cover and rear seat back.
4. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle and support it safely. Block the front wheels.
5. Remove the rear wheels.
6. Disconnect the brake hose and the ABS speed sensor from the shock absorber.
7. If equipped with ABS, disconnect the Load Sensing Proportioning Valve (LSPV) spring from the lower arm.
8. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the shock absorber.
9. Support the rear axle and loosen the 2 bolts from the lower end of the shock absorber.
10. From inside the vehicle, unbolt the upper support. Fig. 1: A rubber cap covers the rear shock absorber tower nut
    Fig. 2: The upper shock absorber tower is retained by the center nut (circled) and three surrounding nuts
    
    
11. Lower the rear axle carrier and remove the two bolts.
12. Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle. To install:
    
13. Install the shock absorber assembly onto the vehicle.
14. Connect the brake hose and the ABS speed sensor to the shock absorber.
15. Connect the stabilizer bar link to the shock absorber.
16. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
17. During installation, please observe the following tighten specifications:
    1. Tighten the shock absorber-to-body bolts to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm).
    2. Tighten the shock absorber-to-axle carrier nuts to 166 ft. lbs. (226 Nm) on 1988-91 vehicles and 188 ft. lbs. (255 Nm) on 1992-96 vehicles.
    3. Tighten the suspension support-to-shock absorber nut to 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm) on 1988-91 vehicles. On 1992-96 models, tighten the stabilizer bar link to shock absorber retainers to 47 ft. lbs. (64 Nm).
18. Install the rear seat back, vent duct and the package tray as required.

Shock Absorber -The rear already has air shocks on the 1999 Cadillac Deville: REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Rear

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rear wheel Fig. 1: Exploded view of the rear shock absorber mounting
     
     
   • Negative battery cable
   • Shock absorber electrical connector from the rear suspension support, If equipped
3. Support the lower control arm with a jack to relieve the tension on the shock absorber.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Lower shock absorber mounting bolt and nut
   • Upper mounting nut, retainer, and insulator
   • Shock absorber compress by hand and remove through the upper control arm
   To install:
   
5. Position the top of the shock absorber with the insulator attached into the suspension support.
6. Install or connect the following:
   • Upper shock insulator, retainer and nut. Torque the nut to 55 ft. lbs. (74 Nm).
   • Shock absorber lower mounting nut/bolt. Torque the nut to 75 ft. lbs. (102 Nm).
   • Shock absorber electrical connector to the rear suspension support, if equipped
   • Rear wheel
   • Negative battery cable

Answer
REMOVAL - SHOCK ASSEMBLY
NOTE: Access for the nuts attaching the rear shock assembly upper mount to the vehicle is through the inside of the trunk.

Roll back carpeting on top of the rear shock tower to access shock mounting nuts.
Remove plastic cover from the top of the shock assembly.
Remove 2 nuts attaching the shock assembly upper mount/spring seat to the shock tower.
Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.
Remove two fasteners holding the splash shield to the shock assembly upper mount.
Remove bolt attaching shock absorber to rear knuckle (Shock Absorber Attachment To Knuckle).
Remove the shock absorber from the rear knuckle first when removing the shock absorber from vehicle by pushing down on the rear suspension.
Move shock assembly downward and tilt top of shock outward, then remove shock assembly from vehicle through top of wheel opening

i don't think you have to do any repairs from the top end. I will list most fromFord shop manual. Please rate as Fixya if this answers your questions. Please report back. Good luck.

Section 04-02: Suspension and Wheel Hubs, Rear 1994 Town Car, Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis. Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Spring Rear
Removal

1. Position a hoist under the rear axle housing, and raise the vehicle. Refer to Section 00-02 . Place jackstands under frame side rails.

1. Remove rear stabilizer bar as outlined.

1. Disconnect the lower studs of the two shock absorbers from the mounting brackets on the rear axle assembly .

1. Unsnap the RH parking brake rear cable and conduit (2A635) from RH upper arm retainer before lowering the rear axle assembly .

1. Lower the hoist and axle housing until the rear springs are released.

1. Remove rear spring and rear spring center mounting insulators (5741) from vehicle.
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Shock Absorber Removal
Raise the vehicle on a hoist. 1. To assist in removing the upper attachment on shock absorbers using a plastic dust tube, place an open end wrench on the hex stamped into the dust tube's metal cap. For shock absorbers with a steel dust tube, simply grasp the tube to prevent stud rotation when loosening the retaining nut.

1. Remove the shock absorber retaining nut, washer, and insulator assembly from the stud on the upper side of the frame. Discard nut. Compress the shock absorber to clear the hole in the frame, and remove the inner insulator and washer from the upper retaining stud.
2. Remove the self-locking retaining nut, and disconnect the shock absorber lower stud from the mounting bracket on the rear axle tube.
3. Perform Shock Absorber Checks. Refer to Section 04-00 to determine shock absorbers performance.

Installation

1. Properly prime the new shock absorber . Refer to Section 04-00 , Shock Absorber Checks.

1. Place the inner washer and rear spring insulator (5536) on the upper retaining stud, and position the shock absorber so that the upper retaining stud enters the hole in the frame. While holding the shock absorber in this position, install a new rear spring insulator , washer and nut assembly on the upper side of the upper frame. Be sure to seat the rear spring insulator in the frame attaching hole. Tighten nut to 34-46 Nm (25-34 lb-ft).

1. Extend the shock absorber , and place the lower stud in the mounting bracket hole on the rear axle assembly housing. Install a new self-locking retaining nut. Tighten nut to 76.5-103.5 Nm (56-76 lb-ft).

1. Lower vehicle.

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Arm Lower
Removal
Refer to the illustration in Description and Operation. NOTE: To improve rear axle assembly noise and vibration concerns, the rear suspension should be fastened to the frame and rear axle assembly at the curb height position.
NOTE: If one rear suspension lower arm requires replacement, also replace the opposite rear suspension lower arm .
WARNING: TURN REAR SUSPENSION LEVELER COMPRESSOR SWITCH OFF (IF SO EQUIPPED).
NOTE: If both rear suspension arm and bushings and both rear suspension lower arms are to be removed at the same time, remove both rear springs as outlined under Rear Spring Removal. For air spring removal, refer to Section 04-05 .

1. Mark rear suspension shock absorber relative to protective sleeve with the vehicle in a static, level ground condition.

1. Remove rear stabilizer bar as outlined.

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist, and place jackstands under the rear axle assembly . Refer to Section 00-02 .

1. Lower the hoist until the shock absorbers are fully extended to relieve rear spring pressure.

1. Support rear axle assembly under differential pinion nose as well as under rear axle assembly .

1. Remove and discard the lower arm pivot bolt and nut from the axle bracket. Then, disengage the rear suspension lower arm from the bracket.

1. Remove and discard the pivot bolt and nut from the frame bracket, and remove the rear suspension lower arm .

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Upper
Removal
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED Description Tool Number Suspension Bushing Service Set T79P-5638-A1, A2 and A5 Rear Axle Control Arm Bushing Tools T86P-5638-AH
WARNING: TURN OFF REAR SUSPENSION LEVELER COMPRESSOR SWITCH (IF SO EQUIPPED).

1. Raise the vehicle, and support the frame side rails with jackstands. Refer to Section 00-02 .
2. Support the rear axle assembly .
3. Lower the rear axle assembly , and support the rear axle assembly under differential pinion nose as well as under rear axle assembly .
4. Unsnap parking brake rear cable and conduit from upper arm retainer.
5. Remove and discard the nut and bolt retaining the rear suspension arm and bushing to the rear axle assembly housing. Disconnect the rear suspension arm and bushing from the housing.
6. Remove and discard the nut and bolt that secures the rear suspension arm and bushing to the frame bracket, and remove the rear suspension arm and bushing . If upper arm rear bushing is to be replaced, use Suspension Bushing Service Set T79P-5638-A and Rear Axle Control Arm Bushing Tools T86P-5638-AH and the following procedure:
7. Place the upper arm rear bushing remover tool in position, and pull bushing out. Using Suspension Bushing Service Set T79P-5638-A install bushing assembly into bushing ear of rear axle assembly.

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Stabilizer Bar
WARNING: TURN OFF REAR SUSPENSION LEVELER COMPRESSOR SWITCH (IF SO EQUIPPED).
Removal

1. Raise vehicle on hoist, and place jackstands under the frame side rails. Refer to Section 00-02 .

1. Lower the hoist and rear axle assembly housing until the shock absorbers are fully extended.

1. Disconnect rear stabilizer bars from rear stabilizer bar link and bushing (5C488) . Remove bolts and stabilizer bar bracket (5486) retaining rear stabilizer bar to rear axle assembly .

If your shock absorbers are ok you don't need to replace them. Just the gaiters.