How to Replace the Shocks and Struts in a Dodge Neon

One of the great things about driving a Dodge Neon is how small it is and how well it handles next to the road. To keep this little car handling like it should, you have to change the struts after every 60,000 miles of normal driving conditions. This also helps keep the ride smooth. This process works best for your 2000 to 2005 Dodge Neon.

Instructions

Change the Front Struts on a Neon

1

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.

2

Locate the struts under the front undercarriage of the Neon. 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.

3

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.

4

Position the new strut assembly in the suspension system and align the studs in the mounting bracket with the holes. Set the dial on the torque wrench to 25 foot lb and tighten each upper mounting nut until you feel the wrench slip around them. Insert the strut-to-knuckle bolts, torque them each to 40 foot lb and then add an additional quarter-turn to the bolts once you hit 40 foot lb.

5

Attach the anti-lock brake sensor and brake hose bracket to the new strut assembly and torque the mounting bolt to 10 foot lb. Attach the ground strap to the associated stud on the strut. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 on the other side of the front of the Neon.

6

Mount the front wheels and lower the front end of the car. Have the front wheels aligned by a professional.

Change Rear Struts in a Neon

7

Raise the rear end of the Neon and support it by the frame. Remove the rear wheel and set them aside.

8

Follow the brake hose to the strut and remove the bracket securing it and the anti-lock brake sensor. Remove the nut part way down the strut securing it to the stabilizer link bar. On the wheel hub, remove the bolts holding the brake caliper, which grips the wheel hub and keep it from dangling with some wire. Unbolt the rotor too, which is the part the caliper grips.

9

Disconnect the strut-to-knuckle bolts and remove them. Pop the trunk and pull the carpet up to access the top of the strut assembly. Remove the upper mounting nuts and gently lower the strut out of the bottom of the car. Don't let the strut fall out, but remove it with care. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 on the other side of the car.

10

Position the new strut assembly in the suspension and torque the upper mounting nuts to 25 ft-lb. Lay the carpet over them, and shut the trunk. Attach the strut to the knuckle with the two bolts and torque them to 65 foot lb. Reinstall the rotor and the caliper and torque the mounting bolts to 16 foot lb. Attach the brackets holding the brake hose and anti-lock brake sensor and torque the bolts to 23 foot lb and 10 foot lb, respectively.

11

Mount the rear wheel and repeat Steps 4 and 5 up to this point on the other side of the Neon. Lower the car and torque the nut connecting the stabilizer link to 17 foot lb.