🔧 Grand Cherokee - Shock/Strut Replacement

On your Grand Cherokee, the rear uses traditional shock absorbers, but the front typically uses struts (a shock + coil spring assembly). Replacing worn shocks/struts restores ride control, braking stability, and reduces bouncing and clunking.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-7 hours

Assumption: Stock suspension; steps include both front (struts) and rear (shocks).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack; use jack stands.
• 🛑 Coil springs store extreme energy; if you disassemble a strut, use a proper coil spring compressor and keep hands/face out of the spring path.
• 🛑 If equipped with Quadra-Lift air suspension, enable Tire Jack Mode before lifting to prevent auto-leveling.
• 🛑 Keep brake hoses and ABS wiring from getting stretched when the suspension droops.
• 🛑 Let exhaust and brakes cool before starting.

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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" (20-250 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set 3/8" and 1/2" drive (13mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, 24mm)
• Wrench set (13mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm)
• Allen key set (to counter-hold sway bar link stud)
• Pry bar 18"
• Dead blow hammer
• Trim clip tool
• 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 complete strut assemblies - Replace in pairs (Left + Right) - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount nuts - Qty: 6
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Rear shock mounting hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels.
• 🧰 If equipped with Quadra-Lift: use Uconnect > Settings > Suspension > Tire Jack Mode (wording may vary) before lifting.
• 🧰 Break the lug nuts loose with a 22mm socket and breaker bar before the tires leave the ground.
• 🧰 Spray penetrating oil on shock/strut bolts and sway bar link nuts 10 minutes before removal.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove wheels

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front, then support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove lug nuts using a 22mm socket, then remove the front wheels.

Step 2: Front strut removal (one side at a time)

• Turn the steering to give yourself room, and support the lower control arm/knuckle area with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so it doesn’t drop suddenly.
• Remove the sway bar end link nut using an 18mm socket and counter-hold the stud with an Allen key.
• Remove any brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a trim clip tool and 13mm socket as needed.
• Mark the strut-to-knuckle position with a paint marker to help keep alignment close.
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 21mm socket and breaker bar 1/2". Tap bolts out with a dead blow hammer if needed.
• Under the hood, remove the strut mount nuts using a 15mm socket, then lower and remove the strut assembly.
• Tip: Keep the knuckle supported to protect the CV axle.

Step 3: If not using complete strut assemblies (spring transfer)

• Install the coil spring compressor (specialty) on the spring. A spring compressor squeezes the coil spring so it can be removed safely.
• Compress evenly until the top mount is loose.
• Remove the strut shaft top nut using the appropriate socket set while counter-holding as needed, then transfer spring/mount to the new strut.
• Slowly release the compressor, ensuring the spring seats correctly in the upper and lower perches.

Step 4: Front strut installation

• Position the strut and hand-start the top mount nuts using a 15mm socket.
• Align the knuckle to the strut and install the lower bolts/nuts using a 21mm socket and breaker bar 1/2".
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using an 18mm socket and Allen key.
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS wire brackets using a 13mm socket and any clips with a trim clip tool.
• Tighten fasteners:
  • Strut mount nuts: Torque to 54 Nm (40 ft-lbs)
  • Strut-to-knuckle bolts: Torque to 203 Nm (150 ft-lbs)
  • Sway bar end link nut: Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs)
• Tip: Final-tighten with the suspension supported.

Step 5: Rear shock replacement

• Lift the rear using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum). Remove rear wheels using a 22mm socket.
• Support the rear lower control arm/axle area with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so the suspension doesn’t drop.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using an 18mm socket and breaker bar 1/2".
• Remove the upper shock mounting fasteners using a 15mm socket.
• Remove the shock, install the new shock in the same orientation, and start all fasteners by hand.
• Tighten fasteners (best done with suspension at ride height):
  • Upper shock fasteners: Torque to 47 Nm (35 ft-lbs)
  • Lower shock bolt: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)
• Tip: A little anti-seize helps future removal.

Step 6: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts using a 22mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• 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

• 🧪 Bounce-test each corner by hand; it should settle quickly (no repeated bouncing).
• 🧪 Road test at low speed first; listen for clunks and confirm straight tracking.
• 🧪 Get a professional 4-wheel alignment after front strut replacement.
• 🧪 If equipped with Quadra-Lift, turn Tire Jack Mode back off.
• 🧪 Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench 1/2".

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,400 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $450-$1,200 (parts only)

You Save: $750-$1,200 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-7 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.