🔧 Patriot - Shock Absorber/Strut Replacement

Your Patriot uses front struts (a shock absorber built into a spring assembly) and rear shock absorbers (separate from the spring). Replacing worn units restores ride control, reduces bouncing, and helps the tires stay planted for safer braking and steering.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (all 4 corners)

Assumption: stock suspension; torque specs referenced as factory spec.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Use jack stands on solid level ground; never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• 🛑 Coil springs store dangerous energy. If you are not using quick-struts, a spring compressor must be used correctly to avoid serious injury.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and mechanic gloves; rust/dirt can fall when bolts break loose.
• 🧭 A front alignment is required after replacing front struts.
• 🔋 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, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" drive
• Socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive
• Socket set 15mm-24mm, 1/2" drive
• Wrench set 13mm-21mm
• Hex key set (metric)
• Pry bar (18"-24")
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Bungee cord
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies (quick-strut, pre-assembled recommended) - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounting hardware (as required) - Qty: 1 set
• Rear shock mounting hardware (as required) - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the manual transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks at the opposite end you’re lifting.
• Loosen lug nuts 1/2 turn using a breaker bar 1/2" before lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on shock/strut bolts and let it soak 10–15 minutes.
• Quick-struts avoid spring compressor risk.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift the vehicle and remove the wheels

• Lift using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper jacking point.
• Set the Patriot on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair).
• Remove lug nuts using a socket set 15mm-24mm, 1/2" drive and remove the wheel.
• During reassembly: Torque to factory specification using a torque wrench 1/2" drive.

Step 2: Replace rear shock absorbers (one side at a time)

• Support the rear suspension arm lightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so the shock isn’t binding.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a socket set 15mm-24mm, 1/2" drive and breaker bar 1/2".
• Remove the upper shock bolt/nut using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive and/or wrench set 13mm-21mm.
• Remove the shock. If it’s stuck, tap gently with a rubber mallet.
• Install the new shock in the same orientation. Start all fasteners by hand.
• Final tighten with a torque wrench 1/2" drive: Torque to factory specification.
• Keep the jack supporting the arm while tightening.

Step 3: Loosen front strut top mount fasteners (under the hood)

• Open the hood and locate the strut tower top mount.
• Use a paint marker to mark any obvious bracket positions for reference.
• Loosen the top mount nuts using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive, but do not remove them fully yet.

Step 4: Disconnect brackets/links from the strut body

• Remove brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive and a trim clip tool or needle-nose pliers.
• If the sway bar end link attaches to the strut, remove it using a wrench set 13mm-21mm and hold the stud with a hex key set (metric) to keep it from spinning.
• Support the steering knuckle with a bungee cord so the brake hose and CV axle aren’t pulled tight.

Step 5: Remove the strut-to-knuckle fasteners

• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a socket set 15mm-24mm, 1/2" drive and a breaker bar 1/2".
• If the knuckle is clamped tight, use a pry bar (18"-24") carefully to help separate the strut from the knuckle.
• Tap gently with a rubber mallet as needed.
• During reassembly: Torque to factory specification using a torque wrench 1/2" drive.

Step 6: Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle

• Support the strut with one hand and remove the remaining top mount nuts using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive.
• Pull the strut assembly out through the wheel well.

Step 7: Install new front struts (recommended quick-strut method)

• Place the new strut assembly into position and hand-start the top mount nuts using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive.
• Slide the strut into the knuckle and install the strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a socket set 15mm-24mm, 1/2" drive.
• Reconnect the sway bar link using a wrench set 13mm-21mm and hex key set (metric).
• Reattach brake hose/ABS brackets using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive and trim clip tool.
• Final tighten all fasteners with a torque wrench 1/2" drive: Torque to factory specification.
• Start bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.

Step 8: If transferring springs (non quick-strut method)

• Install the spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and tighten evenly (a few turns per side).
• Remove the strut shaft nut using a socket set 10mm-21mm, 3/8" drive while holding the shaft with a hex key set (metric).
• Move the spring, isolators, and mount to the new strut in the exact same order and orientation.
• Release the compressor slowly and evenly until the spring is fully seated.
• Install the strut as in Step 7 and torque to factory specification.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower off jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench 1/2" drive: Torque to factory specification.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Road test slowly first; listen for clunks and confirm it tracks straight.
• 🔍 Check that brake hoses and ABS wires are clipped back into their brackets.
• 🧭 Schedule a front wheel alignment after front strut replacement.
• 🧰 Recheck visible fasteners after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹20,000-₹55,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹12,000-₹40,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹8,000-₹15,000 by doing it yourself!

Shops typically book about 3-6 hours for this job.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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