Strut Replacement HELP...
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Strut Replacement HELP...
Well guys long time lurker, first time poster here. The infamous front end bug hit me and me being the hard head I am thought I'd replace the struts myself. Well it's middle of the night and my truck sits outside on jack stands.
The main question I have is how are you guys getting the struts out after you have the top three bolts and bottom bolt out? My Chiltons doesnt mention having to remove anything but the sway bar link, which I'm replacing and did anyways.
I did get one out, and honestly didn't have too bad of a time with the bottom strut bolt everyone complains about. My main problem was, after I got all the bolts out, getting the bottom mount "forks" over the lower contol arm, then there wasn't enough room to get the strut assembly to fit between the tie rod and upper control arm. Am I missing something? I pried the strut over the lower control arm, and disassembled the tie rod, which needed to be replaced anyways.
The top bolt of the strut mount was the pain everyone said it would be, but I got it done, and have the strut assembled with the new monroes, however having the same problem getting it in there as I did getting it out, not enough room to fit the strut between the lower control arm and the strut mount attached to the frame? Help me out guys!
The main question I have is how are you guys getting the struts out after you have the top three bolts and bottom bolt out? My Chiltons doesnt mention having to remove anything but the sway bar link, which I'm replacing and did anyways.
I did get one out, and honestly didn't have too bad of a time with the bottom strut bolt everyone complains about. My main problem was, after I got all the bolts out, getting the bottom mount "forks" over the lower contol arm, then there wasn't enough room to get the strut assembly to fit between the tie rod and upper control arm. Am I missing something? I pried the strut over the lower control arm, and disassembled the tie rod, which needed to be replaced anyways.
The top bolt of the strut mount was the pain everyone said it would be, but I got it done, and have the strut assembled with the new monroes, however having the same problem getting it in there as I did getting it out, not enough room to fit the strut between the lower control arm and the strut mount attached to the frame? Help me out guys!
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By the way, just a little info... Driving a Silver 2006 4x4, 4.7 L Magnum. Not many mods, just tinted the windows, added vent shades, and running Mastercraft AT2's 245 75 16. Just put on new brake pads and rotors last weekened, this weekend is the monroe struts, sway bar links, and outer tie rod end on the passenger side (it was squeaking like crazy). Next is new tires and an alignment and hopefully my front end will be like new. Still not sold on what tires I'm going for, but not going back with the mastercrafts!
Had a runabout boat up until this spring it pulled all summer, and spends its winters pulling duck boats and hitting the backroads in pursuit of waterfowl. I don't treat it bad, but it is used as a truck.
Had a runabout boat up until this spring it pulled all summer, and spends its winters pulling duck boats and hitting the backroads in pursuit of waterfowl. I don't treat it bad, but it is used as a truck.
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From: badger country
No clue on how to do that, did you rent a spring compressor? I have the same problems in the making. Where do you live I do the same things you do. One month till early goose and I'm giddy as hell, can't sleep thinking of how to arrange my blind, where to go, and scaring the crap out of jet skiers on labor day weekend shooting on the lake.
Read this thread. Had the same problem. Removing the axle and sway bar made it so much easier.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...installed.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...installed.html
Last edited by jkeaton; Jul 30, 2011 at 10:19 AM.
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I don't understand this....
The strut should FALL OUT literally, tons of clearance and room. You don't have a leveling kit so it should go in and out without a hiccup....
Are you not disconnecting the upper control arm or something?? You have too... thats the way you remove struts...
Unbolt the upper control arm, the one bolt at the ball joint, hit the knuckle a few times with a hammer, and it will pop off damage free. Don't use a pickle fork unless you want to replace the control arm. This will allow the lower control arm to drop way down, since its not connected to the upper control arm, the strut will literally begin to fall of the truck. When your ready to re-install it, place it in, jack up the lower arm, bolt in the strut, then simply bolt the upper control arm back to the knuckle, easily. (its only hard when you have a leveling kit) You can bolt it right up with minimum arm strength. Then your done.
The strut should FALL OUT literally, tons of clearance and room. You don't have a leveling kit so it should go in and out without a hiccup....
Are you not disconnecting the upper control arm or something?? You have too... thats the way you remove struts...
Unbolt the upper control arm, the one bolt at the ball joint, hit the knuckle a few times with a hammer, and it will pop off damage free. Don't use a pickle fork unless you want to replace the control arm. This will allow the lower control arm to drop way down, since its not connected to the upper control arm, the strut will literally begin to fall of the truck. When your ready to re-install it, place it in, jack up the lower arm, bolt in the strut, then simply bolt the upper control arm back to the knuckle, easily. (its only hard when you have a leveling kit) You can bolt it right up with minimum arm strength. Then your done.
Last edited by MonkeyWrench4000; Jul 31, 2011 at 07:08 PM.
I don't understand this....
The strut should FALL OUT literally, tons of clearance and room. You don't have a leveling kit so it should go in and out without a hiccup....
Are you not disconnecting the upper control arm or something?? You have too... thats the way you remove struts...
Unbolt the upper control arm, the one bolt at the ball joint, hit the knuckle a few times with a hammer, and it will pop off damage free. Don't use a pickle fork unless you want to replace the control arm. This will allow the lower control arm to drop way down, since its not connected to the upper control arm, the strut will literally begin to fall of the truck. When your ready to re-install it, place it in, jack up the lower arm, bolt in the strut, then simply bolt the upper control arm back to the knuckle, easily. (its only hard when you have a leveling kit) You can bolt it right up with minimum arm strength. Then your done.
The strut should FALL OUT literally, tons of clearance and room. You don't have a leveling kit so it should go in and out without a hiccup....
Are you not disconnecting the upper control arm or something?? You have too... thats the way you remove struts...
Unbolt the upper control arm, the one bolt at the ball joint, hit the knuckle a few times with a hammer, and it will pop off damage free. Don't use a pickle fork unless you want to replace the control arm. This will allow the lower control arm to drop way down, since its not connected to the upper control arm, the strut will literally begin to fall of the truck. When your ready to re-install it, place it in, jack up the lower arm, bolt in the strut, then simply bolt the upper control arm back to the knuckle, easily. (its only hard when you have a leveling kit) You can bolt it right up with minimum arm strength. Then your done.
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I don't understand this....
The strut should FALL OUT literally, tons of clearance and room. You don't have a leveling kit so it should go in and out without a hiccup....
Are you not disconnecting the upper control arm or something?? You have too... thats the way you remove struts...
Unbolt the upper control arm, the one bolt at the ball joint, hit the knuckle a few times with a hammer, and it will pop off damage free. Don't use a pickle fork unless you want to replace the control arm. This will allow the lower control arm to drop way down, since its not connected to the upper control arm, the strut will literally begin to fall of the truck. When your ready to re-install it, place it in, jack up the lower arm, bolt in the strut, then simply bolt the upper control arm back to the knuckle, easily. (its only hard when you have a leveling kit) You can bolt it right up with minimum arm strength. Then your done.
The strut should FALL OUT literally, tons of clearance and room. You don't have a leveling kit so it should go in and out without a hiccup....
Are you not disconnecting the upper control arm or something?? You have too... thats the way you remove struts...
Unbolt the upper control arm, the one bolt at the ball joint, hit the knuckle a few times with a hammer, and it will pop off damage free. Don't use a pickle fork unless you want to replace the control arm. This will allow the lower control arm to drop way down, since its not connected to the upper control arm, the strut will literally begin to fall of the truck. When your ready to re-install it, place it in, jack up the lower arm, bolt in the strut, then simply bolt the upper control arm back to the knuckle, easily. (its only hard when you have a leveling kit) You can bolt it right up with minimum arm strength. Then your done.
Yep that upper control arm is the key step that was probably holding you back. I agree with MonkeyWrench about not using the pickle fork, I did the first time I had my struts out and ended up having to replace the control arm shortly afterward like he warns.