🔧 Renegade - Shock/Strut Replacement

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

Difficulty Level: Rear: Intermediate | Front: Advanced | Estimated Time: Rear: 1-2 hours | Front: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Renegade on jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Front struts contain a compressed coil spring—use a spring compressor (a tool that safely squeezes the spring) or replace complete “quick struts.”
• ⚠️ Keep hands/face away from the spring path while compressed.
• ⚠️ After front strut work, get a 4-wheel alignment to prevent pulling and tire wear.
• 🧰 Battery disconnect is not required for this mechanical 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
• Lug nut socket 19mm
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20–200 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set metric 10mm–21mm
• Wrench set metric 10mm–21mm
• Hex key set metric
• Pry bar 18"
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front complete strut assemblies (quick struts) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - If reusing springs/assembling struts - Qty: 2
• Front bump stop and dust boot kit - If not included with struts - Qty: 2
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - If corroded/worn - Qty: 1
• Front strut-to-knuckle hardware kit - If corroded/worn - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
• 🔩 Crack the wheel lug nuts loose with a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• 🧴 Spray shock/strut fasteners with penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
• 🖊️ If doing front struts, mark the strut-to-knuckle area with a paint marker as a reference (you still need an alignment).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the Renegade

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the end you’re working on.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Rear shock removal (rear suspension)

• Support the rear suspension arm slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so it doesn’t drop when the shock is removed.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a socket set metric 10mm–21mm and breaker bar 1/2".
• Remove the upper shock fastener(s) using a socket set metric 10mm–21mm.
• Work the shock out by hand; use a pry bar 18" gently if needed.

Step 3: Rear shock installation (rear suspension)

• Install the new shock into the upper mount by hand first.
• Line up the lower mount by raising/lowering the arm slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Install fasteners finger-tight, then tighten with a torque wrench 1/2":
• Torque the rear upper shock fastener(s) to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs)
• Torque the rear lower shock bolt to 105 Nm (77 ft-lbs)
• Tip: Tighten with suspension near ride height.

Step 4: Front strut removal (front suspension)

• Unclip any brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using needle-nose pliers and a trim clip tool.
• Remove the sway bar end link from the strut using a wrench set metric 10mm–21mm and hex key set metric (the hex holds the stud from spinning).
• Support the steering knuckle with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts using a socket set metric 10mm–21mm and breaker bar 1/2".
• Under the hood, remove the strut mount nuts using a socket set metric 10mm–21mm, then remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.

Step 5: If reusing springs, transfer components (advanced)

• Install a spring compressor (specialty) onto the spring, opposite sides, with equal thread engagement.
• Compress the spring evenly using the spring compressor (specialty) until the top mount is loose.
• Remove the strut shaft nut using a socket set metric 10mm–21mm and hex key set metric.
• Transfer the mount/bearing, isolators, dust boot, and bump stop to the new strut.
• Install the shaft nut and tighten with a torque wrench 3/8": Torque the front strut shaft nut to 75 Nm (55 ft-lbs)
• Slowly release the spring using the spring compressor (specialty), ensuring the spring ends sit in their pockets.

Step 6: Front strut installation (front suspension)

• Position the strut in the tower and start the top nuts by hand.
• Align the knuckle to the strut and install the strut-to-knuckle bolts using a socket set metric 10mm–21mm.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using a wrench set metric 10mm–21mm and hex key set metric.
• Reattach brake hose/ABS wire brackets/clips using needle-nose pliers and a trim clip tool.
• Tighten fasteners with a torque wrench:
• Torque the front upper strut mount nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Torque the front strut-to-knuckle bolts to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs)
• Torque the front sway bar end link nut to 75 Nm (55 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall wheels using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the Renegade off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench 1/2": Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Test drive at low speed first; listen for clunks over small bumps.
• 🔍 Recheck all visible fasteners and hose/wire routing after the test drive.
• 🛞 If you replaced front struts, schedule a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• 📏 Watch tire wear over the next 1–2 weeks for any uneven patterns.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $480-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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