🔧 Durango - Shock/Strut Replacement

On your Durango, the front units are complete struts (shock + spring mount), and the rear units are shocks (the spring is separate). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, braking stability, and tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-8 hours (pair) / 6-10 hours (all four)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the vehicle on jack stands before working underneath.
• ⚠️ The front coil spring is under high tension; use a coil spring compressor (specialty) correctly. A slipped spring can cause severe injury.
• ⚠️ Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or wiring; support it.
• ⚠️ If your replacement struts have electrical connectors (adaptive damping), do not pull on wires—release connectors by the lock tab.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear when lowering/raising the control arm or knuckle.

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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
• Lug nut socket 22mm
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (30-250 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set 8mm-24mm (3/8" and 1/2" drive)
• Wrench set 8mm-24mm
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Ratchet 1/2"
• Extensions 3/8" and 1/2"
• Pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorber - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front bump stop and dust boot kit - Qty: 2
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering wheel straight, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
• Loosen lug nuts with a 22mm lug nut socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• If equipped with electronic (adaptive) dampers, locate the strut/shock electrical connector and make sure you can unplug it safely.
• Plan an alignment after front struts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheels

• Use a floor jack to lift one end of the vehicle and set it on jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts using a 22mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2", then remove the wheels.

Step 2: Front strut removal (one side)

• Spray the strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar link nut with penetrating oil.
• Disconnect any strut wiring/connector (if equipped) using a flathead screwdriver to release the lock, then pull the connector straight off.
• Remove the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using the correct size from your socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Remove the sway bar end link nut at the strut using a wrench set 8mm-24mm and socket set 8mm-24mm. Hold the stud so it doesn’t spin.
• Support the steering knuckle with a floor jack under the lower control arm area (light support only).
• Mark the strut-to-knuckle bolt positions with a paint marker (helps keep alignment close).
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle fasteners using a breaker bar 1/2" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Under the hood, remove the strut top mount nuts using a ratchet 3/8" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Pull the strut assembly out of the wheel well. Use a pry bar gently if needed.

Step 3: Transfer the spring (only if you are NOT using quick-struts)

• Install the coil spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and tighten evenly until the spring is loose on the mount. (A spring compressor clamps and compresses the coil spring safely.)
• Remove the strut shaft/top nut using a socket set 8mm-24mm and wrench set 8mm-24mm (method varies by strut design).
• Move the top mount, bearing, boot, and bump stop onto the new strut in the same order.
• Install the new top nut and then slowly release the spring compressor evenly.

Step 4: Front strut installation (one side)

• Position the strut in the tower and hand-start the top mount nuts using a socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Line up the knuckle to the strut and install the strut-to-knuckle bolts using a ratchet 1/2" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using a wrench set 8mm-24mm and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS brackets using a socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Reconnect the electronic damper connector (if equipped) by pushing straight on until it locks.
• Tighten fasteners to specification:
  • Front strut-to-knuckle bolts: Torque to 203 Nm (150 ft-lbs)
  • Front strut upper mount nuts: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs)
  • Front sway bar end link nut: Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Rear shock removal (one side)

• Support the rear lower control arm slightly using a floor jack (do not lift the vehicle off the stands).
• Unplug the rear shock electrical connector (if equipped) using a flathead screwdriver to release the lock.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a breaker bar 1/2" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Remove the upper shock mounting fastener(s) using a ratchet 1/2" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Remove the shock from the vehicle. Use a rubber mallet gently if it’s stuck.

Step 6: Rear shock installation (one side)

• Install the new shock into position and hand-start the upper mount fastener(s) using a ratchet 1/2" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Install the lower shock bolt using a ratchet 1/2" and socket set 8mm-24mm.
• Reconnect the shock electrical connector (if equipped) until it locks.
• Tighten fasteners to specification:
  • Rear shock upper mount fastener(s): Torque to 68 Nm (50 ft-lbs)
  • Rear shock lower bolt: Torque to 125 Nm (92 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts using a 22mm lug nut socket.
• Lower the vehicle using a floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench 1/2": Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check for any suspension warning messages (if equipped with adaptive dampers).
• Test drive at low speed first; listen for clunks over small bumps.
• Recheck lug nut torque using a torque wrench 1/2" after 25-50 miles.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment after replacing front struts to prevent tire wear.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,400-$3,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $500-$1,800 (parts only)

You Save: $900-$1,200+ 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?

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