1500 - Shock Absorber Replacement 🚚

Since you said “proceed” and didn’t specify, I’ll cover both front and rear shocks on your 2015 Ram 1500 SLT 4WD.

Note: This is for standard shocks/struts, not air suspension.

Safety First ⚠️

• 🛑 Work on a flat, solid surface and use jack stands (metal supports that hold the truck safely after lifting with a jack). Never rely only on a jack.
• 🛑 Wear safety glasses and gloves.
• 🛑 Chock the wheels (blocks behind tires) so the truck cannot roll.

Tools & Parts You’ll Need 🧰

• 🔧 Floor jack (to lift the truck)
• 🔧 Jack stands – at least 2, 4 is better
• 🔧 Wheel chocks (wood blocks or rubber)
• 🔧 Socket set (metric):
  • Common sizes for your Ram: 18mm, 21mm, 24mm sockets
  • Deep socket for upper shock nuts if needed
• 🔧 Wrenches (18mm, 21mm)
• 🔧 Breaker bar (long handle for stuck bolts)
• 🔧 Torque wrench (tool that lets you tighten bolts to a specific force)
• 🔧 Penetrating oil (like WD-40) for rusty bolts
• 🔧 Pry bar (stout metal bar to help move suspension slightly)
• 🔧 Hammer / rubber mallet (for stubborn bolts)
• 📦 New shocks:
  • 2 front strut assemblies (or shocks if using OE-style)
  • 2 rear shocks

Tip: Replace shocks in pairs – both fronts together, both rears together.

Key Torque Specs (Approximate OEM Values) 🔩

• 🧷 Front lower strut bolt: ~ 125 ft-lb
• 🧷 Front upper strut nuts (3 small nuts): ~ 30 ft-lb
• 🧷 Rear lower shock bolt: ~ 100 ft-lb
• 🧷 Rear upper shock nut/bolt: ~ 75 ft-lb

These are typical for your truck; if you have a factory manual, follow its exact numbers.

Rear Shock Replacement (Easier – Start Here) 🔙

1. Prep the Truck

• 🛠️ Park, set the parking brake, and put the transmission in P.
• 🛠️ Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🛠️ Loosen (but do not remove) the rear wheel lug nuts with a 21mm socket while the truck is still on the ground.

2. Lift and Support Rear

• 🛠️ Place the floor jack under the rear axle tube (near the differential but off to one side).
• 🛠️ Lift until the rear wheels are just off the ground.
• 🛠️ Place jack stands under the frame rails in front of the rear wheels.
• 🛠️ Lower the truck gently onto the stands. Keep the jack lightly touching the axle for extra support.
• 🛠️ Remove the rear wheels.

3. Remove Old Rear Shocks

• 🛠️ Spray the upper and lower shock bolts with penetrating oil; let it soak a few minutes.
• 🛠️ Support the axle slightly with the jack so it doesn’t drop when you remove the shock.
• 🛠️ Use a 21mm socket/wrench to remove the lower shock bolt at the axle.
• 🛠️ Use an 18mm or 21mm (varies by supplier) to remove the upper shock bolt or nut at the frame.
• 🛠️ Pull the shock out. You may need to wiggle or gently pry it.

4. Install New Rear Shocks

• 🛠️ Compare new shock to old one to confirm length and mounting style.
• 🛠️ Install the upper end first:
  • Slide the upper bushing/eye into the frame bracket.
  • Install the bolt or nut finger-tight only.
• 🛠️ Align the lower end with the axle bracket:
  • You may need to raise or lower the axle slightly with the jack to line up the holes.
  • Insert the lower bolt and thread the nut on finger-tight.
• 🛠️ Once both ends are started, torque:
  • Upper shock bolt/nut: ~ 75 ft-lb
  • Lower shock bolt: ~ 100 ft-lb
• 🛠️ Repeat on the other side.

5. Reinstall Wheels & Lower

• 🛠️ Reinstall rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• 🛠️ Raise the truck slightly, remove jack stands, and lower to the ground.
• 🛠️ Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to about 130 ft-lb.

Front Shock/Strut Replacement (Strut Assembly) 🔧

Your 4WD uses a front strut assembly (shock + spring together). The safest way for a beginner is to buy complete loaded struts (spring already installed) so you do not need a spring compressor.

1. Prep the Front

• 🛠️ Chock the rear wheels.
• 🛠️ Loosen front lug nuts (21mm) slightly with the truck on the ground.

2. Lift and Support Front

• 🛠️ Place jack under the front crossmember (big metal beam under engine).
• 🛠️ Lift until front wheels are off the ground.
• 🛠️ Place jack stands under the frame rails behind the front wheels.
• 🛠️ Lower truck onto stands and remove front wheels.

3. Access the Strut

• 🛠️ Turn the steering wheel to give better access to the strut bolts.
• 🛠️ Locate:
  • Upper strut mount – 3 small nuts on top inside the engine bay (at the strut tower).
  • Lower strut bolt – large bolt through the bottom of the strut into the lower control arm/knuckle area.

4. Remove Front Strut

• 🛠️ Spray the lower bolt and nuts with penetrating oil.
• 🛠️ Support the lower control arm with the jack (light pressure only).
• 🛠️ In the engine bay, use a 15–18mm socket (varies) to loosen the three upper strut nuts, but do not remove them yet.
• 🛠️ At the bottom, use a 21mm socket and wrench to remove the lower strut bolt and nut.
• 🛠️ Now remove the three upper nuts completely while holding the strut from below so it doesn’t drop.
• 🛠️ Pull the strut assembly out. You may need to push the steering knuckle or control arm slightly for clearance.

5. Install New Front Strut

• 🛠️ Compare new strut to old one (mounts and orientation must match).
• 🛠️ Feed the new strut up into the wheel well and align the upper studs with the holes in the strut tower.
• 🛠️ From the engine bay, install the three upper nuts finger-tight to hold it in place.
• 🛠️ Align the lower strut mount with the control arm/knuckle:
  • Use the jack to raise/lower the control arm slightly until the bolt hole lines up.
  • Insert the lower bolt and install the nut finger-tight.
• 🛠️ Torque:
  • Lower strut bolt: ~ 125 ft-lb
  • Upper strut nuts: ~ 30 ft-lb each
• 🛠️ Repeat on the other side.

6. Reinstall Front Wheels & Lower

• 🛠️ Reinstall front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• 🛠️ Raise truck slightly, remove jack stands, and lower to the ground.
• 🛠️ Torque front lug nuts to about 130 ft-lb in a star pattern.

After You’re Done ✅

• 🚗 Take a short, gentle test drive. Listen for clunks or rattles (which usually mean a loose bolt).
• 📏 Get a 4-wheel alignment done. Front strut replacement can change alignment and cause tire wear.
• 🔍 Recheck all shock/strut bolts after a few days of driving.

Want Parts & Tools? 🛒

Below this answer, HowToo will show you front loaded struts, rear shocks, and the tools (jack stands, torque wrench, sockets) that fit your 1500. You can add what you need to your cart directly from the parts section.

If you tell me whether you already have a jack and stands, I can simplify this into a shorter, tool-specific checklist for you.

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! 🚀