🔧 Durango - Shock Absorber Replacement

On your Durango, the rear uses separate shock absorbers, while the front suspension uses a strut assembly (a shock with a coil spring built around it). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, braking stability, and prevents uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 4-8 hours

Assumption: Replacing both front strut assemblies and both rear shocks.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Durango with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Front struts contain a coil spring under high tension; avoid disassembling the spring unless you have the correct spring compressor and experience.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of pinch points when lowering/raising the suspension arm.
• ⚠️ If you remove the front strut, get an alignment afterward.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (30-250 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set 3/8" and 1/2" drive (8mm-24mm)
• Wrench set (8mm-24mm)
• Trim clip tool
• Pry bar (18")
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Penetrating oil - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks at the wheels staying on the ground.
• Loosen lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting (use a breaker bar and correct socket).
• Spray penetrating oil on all shock/strut fasteners 10-15 minutes before removal.
• Tip: Replace front struts as complete assemblies.
• Understand the term “knuckle”: it’s the heavy part that the wheel hub bolts to.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheels

• Use a breaker bar 1/2" and the correct socket to loosen the lug nuts.
• Lift the front (or rear) with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and set it on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheels using a socket.
• When reinstalling wheels later: Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench 1/2".

Step 2: Rear shock removal (one side at a time)

• Support the rear suspension arm lightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so it doesn’t drop suddenly.
• Remove the lower rear shock bolt using the correct socket set 3/8" and 1/2" drive (8mm-24mm) and wrench set (8mm-24mm).
• Remove the upper rear shock fastener(s) using the correct socket and/or wrench.
• Work the shock out by hand; use a pry bar (18") gently if needed.
• Tip: Keep the jack under the arm for control.

Step 3: Rear shock installation

• Install the new shock in the same orientation as the old one (use a paint marker on the old shock before removal if helpful).
• Start the upper fastener(s) by hand first, then start the lower bolt by hand.
• Snug both fasteners with the correct socket and wrench, but do final tightening with the suspension at normal ride height.
• Raise the suspension arm with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) until it’s close to normal ride position, then tighten all rear shock fasteners using a torque wrench 1/2" to the OE spec for your Durango.

Step 4: Front strut access (under hood)

• Open the hood and locate the top of the strut towers (left and right).
• If any plastic covers block access, remove them with a trim clip tool.
• Loosen (but do not fully remove yet) the top strut mounting nuts using the correct socket.
• Do not loosen the center nut on the strut mount if you are not using a spring compressor (specialty).

Step 5: Disconnect lines/brackets from the strut

• On the strut body, remove any brake hose/ABS wire brackets using the correct socket or wrench.
• Use needle-nose pliers for any clips.
• Move the lines aside so they are not stretched.

Step 6: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Support the lower control arm/knuckle area with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a breaker bar 1/2" and correct socket + wrench.
• If the bolts are stuck, tap them out with a rubber mallet.
• Carefully pry the knuckle away from the strut using a pry bar (18") if needed.

Step 7: Remove the front strut assembly

• From under the hood, remove the top strut mounting nuts using the correct socket.
• Lower the strut out of the wheel well and remove it from the Durango.

Step 8: Install the new front strut assembly

• Position the new strut up into the strut tower and start the top mounting nuts by hand using the correct socket.
• Align the bottom of the strut to the knuckle and install the bolts/nuts by hand first.
• Snug the strut-to-knuckle fasteners with the correct socket and wrench, then tighten with a torque wrench 1/2" to the OE spec for your Durango.
• Tighten the top strut mounting nuts using a torque wrench to the OE spec for your Durango.
• Reinstall any brake hose/ABS brackets using the correct socket or wrench.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the Durango

• Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts using the correct socket.
• Lower the Durango off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Final-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench 1/2".

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✅ After Repair

• Road test at low speed first. Listen for clunks and verify straight-line braking.
• Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive: 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).
• Get a front-end alignment after replacing front struts.
• Watch for fluid leaks from the new shocks/struts (should be dry).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$900 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.