How to replace the struts 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500
To replace the struts on your Ram 1500 we’re here to help. You will be asked to open the hood, measure, take off the wheels as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 14 chapters in 90 minutes. Take your hammer and your 15 mm socket and let’s get started!
Duration
90 minutes
Number of steps
14
Difficulty out of 5
3
Average savings
$150
Parts You Will Need
Tools You Will Need
Step-by-Step Installation
Chapter 1:
Open the hood
Step 1/1
Turn your engine off, set the parking brake pull on the hood release handle, and open the hood.
Chapter 2:
Measure
Step 1/1
Before lifting your vehicle, it is necessary to measure the distance between the centre of your wheel and the wheel arch. This will allow you to achieve an optimal tightening of the parts in their initial position.
Chapter 3:
Prepare the strut
Step 1/2
Brush the 3 nuts holding the strut mount bearing and spray them with penetrating oil.
Chapter 3:
Step 2/2
From the engine compartment, use a ratchet, an extender, a gimbal, and a 15mm socket to unscrew the nuts that hold the strut mount bearings in place by a few turns.
Chapter 4:
Lift the vehicle
Step 1/3
Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.
Chapter 4:
Step 2/3
Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.
Chapter 4:
Step 3/3
Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!
Chapter 5:
Tips
Step 1/2
You can now see your car’s strut, as well as the outer tie rod that need to be taken out in order to change the strut.
Chapter 5:
Step 2/2
If you have only lifted one side of the vehicle to carry out this operation, then you must use a jack to slightly lift the lower control arm to compensate the tension exerted by the sway bar on the end link, and in order to hold the wheel knuckle when unscrewing the upper control arm ball joint.
Chapter 6:
Remove the sway bar end link
Step 1/1
It is also necessary to disengage the sway bar end link from the lower control arm.
Chapter 7:
Remove the control arm ball joint
Step 1/4
You must then disengage the upper control arm ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
Chapter 7:
Step 2/4
Release the ball joint with a ratchet and a 21mm socket.
Chapter 7:
Step 3/4
Use a hammer to strike the knuckle. The ball joint should come out of the knuckle.
Chapter 7:
Step 4/4
Finish unscrewing the nut. Then remove the upper control arm ball joint from the wheel knuckle by lowering the jack until you can remove the ball joint.
Chapter 8:
Remove the strut
Step 1/5
Brush off the bolt of the strut foot and spray the bolt with penetrating oil.
Chapter 8:
Step 2/5
Then, use a ratchet, a 24mm socket, and a 24mm wrench to prevent the bolt from rotating, and unscrew the nut of the strut foot. Then remove the bolt.
Chapter 8:
Step 3/5
Finish unscrewing the 3 nuts that hold the strut mount bearing in place. The strut is now free.
Chapter 8:
Step 4/5
Remove the jack to allow sufficient clearance to remove the strut.
Chapter 8:
Step 5/5
Then push on the wheel knuckle / control arm assembly. Remove the strut.
Chapter 9:
Prepare the strut
Step 1/2
Take your new strut.
Chapter 9:
Step 2/2
Unscrew the 3 nuts holding the strut mount bearing.
Chapter 10:
Install the new strut
Step 1/3
Insert the top part of the strut, then the bottom part.
Chapter 10:
Step 2/3
Now you can replace the bolt of the strut foot. Then screw the nut back on by hand.
Chapter 10:
Step 3/3
Next, screw the 3 nuts that hold the mounts back on until there is contact.
Chapter 11:
Screw the control arm ball joint nut back
Step 1/5
Use the jack to lift the wheel knuckle assembly to allow you to replace the upper control arm ball joint and the lower ball joint of the sway bar end link, in their respective positions.
Chapter 11:
Step 2/5
Screw the nut of the upper control arm ball joint back on.
Chapter 11:
Step 3/5
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 11:
Step 4/5
Screw the nut of the lower ball joint of the sway bar end link back on.
Chapter 11:
Step 5/5
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 12:
Tightening tips
Step 1/4
To avoid damaging the bushings, tighten the strut foot bolts in the “vehicle on the ground” position.
Chapter 12:
Step 2/4
Lift the wheel knuckle with the jack until the original measurement between the center of the wheel and the wheel arch is reached.
Chapter 12:
Step 3/4
Once at a distance, finish tightening the lower bolt with the torque wrench.
Chapter 12:
Step 4/4
Tighten the 3 nuts with a torque wrench. Remove the jack.
Chapter 13:
Finalize the operation
Step 1/7
Apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the sleeve of the outer tie rod.
Chapter 13:
Step 2/7
Do not grease the inside of the cone.
Chapter 13:
Step 3/7
Put the outer tie rod back in place in the knuckle.
Chapter 13:
Step 4/7
Remount the castle nut and tighten it using a ratchet and a 21mm socket.
Chapter 13:
Step 5/7
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 13:
Step 6/7
Take the key and fit it into the castle nut.
Chapter 13:
Step 7/7
Use a screwdriver to bend the key.
Chapter 14:
Put the vehicle back on the ground
Step 1/4
Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.
Chapter 14:
Step 2/4
Put your vehicle back on the ground before properly fixing the wheels in place.
Chapter 14:
Step 3/4
During this operation, you will be intervening on the front axle of your car, so it is advisable to perform a wheel alignment afterwards.
Chapter 14:
Step 4/4
Operation complete.