How to Replace Front Struts 06-08 Dodge Ram 1500
Difficulty: Advanced · About 130 min · Dodge Ram
Replace the front strut and spring assembly on a 2006-2008 Dodge Ram 1500.
Tools you will need
- 35mm socket
- Socket extensions
- Torque wrench
- Hammer
- 15mm socket
- Pry bar
- Jack stands
- Pick
- 21mm socket
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Center punch
- Bungee cord
- Ratchet
- Floor jack
- Assistant
- Breaker bar
Parts and supplies
- Front strut and spring assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the 22mm lug nuts with the truck on the ground, pry off the center cap with a pick, loosen the 35mm axle nut with a breaker bar, raise and support the truck, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.
- Remove the old spring assembly
Remove the strut's bottom bolt with a 24mm socket and 21mm wrench (leaving the nut flush and hammering the bolt out, having an assistant turn the control arm down as needed), remove the three 15mm top strut nuts, remove the caliper bracket's two 21mm bolts and tie the caliper aside with a bungee cord, remove the rotor, loosen the upper ball joint's nut with a 22mm wrench and hammer the knuckle to free it, hold the hub with a pry bar while removing the 35mm axle nut, disconnect the wheel speed sensor and pry its connectors off the control arm, remove the sway bar's nut with an 18mm wrench and socket, knock the CV axle out of the hub with a hammer, pry the lower control arm out of the sway bar, then push down on the spindle and pull the spring assembly out.
- Install the new spring assembly
Transfer the leveling spacer from the old assembly to the new one and torque its three 15mm nuts to about 45 ft-lb, insert the strut and align its top mount bolts with the frame, tighten and torque the top 15mm nuts to about 45 ft-lb, insert the sway bar link into the control arm and tighten its lower nut, pry the strut over the bushing with a pry bar and hammer a punch through the bolt hole to align it before hammering the bolt in (hand-tight only), line the axle into the hub and hand-tighten the 35mm nut, insert the upper ball joint into the spindle and torque its 21mm nut to about 40 ft-lb plus 90 degrees, reconnect the wheel speed sensor harness, jack up under the control arm to load the suspension and torque the strut bolt to about 155 ft-lb, then release the jack and refit the rotor and caliper, torquing its 21mm bolts to about 130 ft-lb.
- Reattach the wheel
Slide it into place, start the lug nuts by hand, lower the truck, torque the hub nut to about 185 ft-lb, refit the center cap, then torque the lug nuts to about 135 ft-lb in a star pattern.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.