# Changing rear shocks in a 2002 gem

**URL:** <https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634>\
**Category:** GEM Forum\
**Created:** [August 30, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634 "2026-08-30T19:29:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tomdaygem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Tomdaygem](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Tomdaygem)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634/1 "2026-08-30T19:29:42Z")

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I am changing the shocks in my 2002 gem. I am using NEV shocks. Front ones went in great but the rear ones seem Under a lot of pressure.i listen the top only but the shock still seems to be under loaded and doesn’t feel lose like the front ones. Am I missed a step with the rear

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**Author:** ![Tomdaygem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Tomdaygem](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Tomdaygem)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634/2 "2026-08-30T20:05:35Z")

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Figured out the shock problem I was jacking in the wrong place to remove the tension shocks re in

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**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634/3 "2026-08-31T02:31:14Z")

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If your GEM hasn’t already had the rear subframe / swing arm / thing the rear tires mount to reinforced, it’s a good idea to check the lower rear subframe near where the struts mount for cracking. 1999-2004 GEMs 2-seat & 4- seaters are sort of notorious for this.

Here’s a thread with some pictures to give you an idea

> [@Awesome! Broken Rear Subframe!](https://community.electricforum.com/t/awesome-broken-rear-subframe/17784/3):
>
> I searched for something to that effect but couldn’t find anything. Not a big deal, looks like a simple fix, just one more thing to add to the list. I see you have been through it as well. [Rear Sub frame 2002](https://community.electricforum.com/t/rear-sub-frame-2002/6210)

The 99-04 “longbed truck” aka Longback uses 4 shorter struts mounted to towers under the bed, and due to the different setup and angles, rather than the steel subframe, for them the towers have been known to crack where they are welded to the frame rails and sometimes the top of the tower takes damage. The frame and towers are aluminum which is a different animal when it comes to welding.

> [@Tomdaygem](#):
>
> Figured out the shock problem I was jacking in the wrong place

Are we still doing phrasing?

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**Author:** ![Tomdaygem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Tomdaygem](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Tomdaygem)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634/4 "2026-08-31T02:44:11Z")

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Thanks I will check that out!

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**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/changing-rear-shocks-in-a-2002-gem/30634/5 "2026-08-31T10:10:34Z")

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> Are we still doing phrasing?

Lana,  
Lana..  
LAAANNNAAAA!!!