Easy lifehacks

How to replace shocks and struts in Dodge Neon?

How to replace shocks and struts in Dodge Neon?

Lift the front end of the Neon with a floor jack and support it by the frame with jack stands. Loosen and remove the nuts securing the front wheels with a tire iron and set the front wheels aside. Locate the struts under the front undercarriage of the Neon.

How do you remove a strut from a neon?

Remove the nut midway down the back of the strut securing the ground strap to it. Also remove the bracket holding on the anti-lock brake sensor and the brake hose. Use a wrench and a ratchet to unbolt the strut-to-knuckle bolts and remove the upper mounting nuts. Pull the strut out and repeat this step on the other side of the Neon.

How do you replace struts on a Dodge Caravan?

Replace the Front Struts in a Caravan Raise your Caravan with a jack, and support the frame with jack stands. Remove the front wheels with a tire iron, and locate the strut assemblies. They look like two tubes that slide in and out of each other and connect to the steering knuckle and the frame of the minivan.

What do shocks and struts on Dodge cars look like?

They look like coil springs with hardware inside and on each end holding them to the frame by the top and the steering knuckle, which turns the wheel hub right and left, on the bottom. Mark each strut as belonging to the left or right side of the front of the car with a permanent marker.

How to replace shocks and struts in Dodge Intrepid?

Lower the rear of the truck. How to Replace the Shocks and Struts in a Dodge Intrepid Open the hood and pop the shock tower cap off the top of the shock assembly, which is directly over each wheel well. Unscrew the three nuts holding the shock assembly mounted to the shock tower. Lift the car with a car jack, and support the frame with jack stands.

How do you change the shocks on a Dodge?

Open the hood and pop the shock tower cap off the top of the shock assembly, which is directly over each wheel well. Unscrew the three nuts holding the shock assembly mounted to the shock tower. Lift the car with a car jack, and support the frame with jack stands. Use a tire iron to remove the bolts holding your wheels on, and set the wheels aside.

How do you install a new strut on a car?

Installing a New Strut Install the completed strut assembly back into the steering knuckle. Replace the bolts, leaving them finger tight, allowing the assembly to move freely. Place the strut assembly back into the strut tower and replace the strut tower bolts.

What happens if you remove the center nut on a strut?

Do not remove the center nut or the strut will come apart and it is under high spring tension. Since you’ve removed the bolts from the steering knuckle, the strut might fall loose after you remove these bolts. It might help to have a partner holding onto the strut assembly while you loosen these bolts.

When do you need to replace your struts?

They get worn out with use and sometimes will break if you’ve gone over some particularly bumpy terrain, resulting in a kind of deep click sound when you turn. Purchasing a quick-strut assembly is the quickest and easiest way to replace the struts yourself.

Do you need a compressor to change struts?

It’s recommended that the beginner forego attempts to compress the spring on the old strut using a spring compressor or spring clamps. This method is used to save money by salvaging the old spring and installing it on the new strut, but if you don’t have your own strut compressor, it will run you $700.

How to replace shocks and struts in Dodge Caravan?

How to Replace the Shocks and Struts in a Dodge Caravan Replace the Front Struts in a Caravan Raise your Caravan with a jack, and support the frame with jack stands. Remove the front wheels with a tire iron, and locate the strut assemblies.

How do you put a new shock on a strut?

Pull the shock from out of the upper and lower mounts. Place the new shock into the upper mount. Insert the upper shock bolt hand-tighten it. Cut the plastic strap holding the new strut compressed with the side cutters. Guide the shock into the lower mount as it slowly extends. Push the lower bolt through the lower hole in the shock.

Why do you need to replace your front struts?

By being proactive about replacing your front struts as recommended by your manufacturer, you can avoid further damage to steering and suspension components like shock absorbers, ball joints, and tie rod ends, reduce wear and tear on tires, and maintain a safe-operating vehicle.

When do you need to replace a suspension strut?

The Overlooked Upper Bearing Plate. If an upper bearing plate is damaged, the strut may need to be replaced. If the plate is rusted, loose, worn, noisy, binding or damaged, it has to be replaced. Symptoms of a bad bearing plate include: Steering noise such as snapping, popping, creaking or groaning sounds when turning.

Why are there no ball joints on strut suspension?

On vehicles with strut suspensions, there are no ball joints unless the suspension is a wishbone combination, but the upper mounting plate can become worn out, and cause noises. Worn ball joints upset the camber alignment making tires wear faster and causing steering pull.

How can I tell if I need to replace my suspension?

Measuring the ride height and checking it against the specifications for the vehicle can determine whether new springs are needed or not. When replacing springs, they should be replaced in pairs to make the ride height uniform. Weak springs are more likely to fail.

What are the symptoms of a bad engine mount?

Impact noises coming from the engine bay. One of the most common symptoms associated with worn engine mounts are impact noises coming from the engine bay. Worn, damaged, or broken motor mounts can cause clunking, banging, and other impact type sounds as a result of the weight of the engine shifting excessively to the point of contact.

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Ruth Doyle