Coil Springs - Rear Pair

Replace both rear coil springs on a 1992 Dodge Viper, including removal of rear shock absorbers and supporting the rear suspension to safely access and install new springs.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring - left × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear coil spring - right × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Spring isolator pads (upper and lower) × 4 — Replace if damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level concrete surface and engage parking brake.
2. Chock front wheels securely on both sides.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack positioned at rear differential or specified jacking point.
5. Support vehicle on jack stands placed at solid frame rails, NOT on suspension components or differential. Verify stands are stable and vehicle cannot shift.
6. Remove both rear wheels completely.
7. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15-30 minutes to soak if vehicle shows corrosion.
8. Visually inspect spring compressor tools to ensure threads are undamaged and components move freely. Test compressor operation before installation on spring.

Procedure

1. 1

   Support rear suspension
   Position a floor jack under the rear lower control arm on the left side, close to the wheel hub mounting area. Raise jack until it just contacts the control arm with minimal upward pressure—enough to support the arm weight but not to lift the vehicle. This prevents the suspension from dropping excessively when the shock is disconnected. The shock absorber and spring work together to control suspension travel; removing the shock without support will allow the suspension to extend fully.
2. 2

   Remove lower shock mounting bolt
   Locate the lower coil-over shock/spring assembly mounting bolt where the unit attaches to the lower control arm. Using a socket and breaker bar, remove the lower shock mounting bolt completely. Support the shock absorber to prevent it from falling. Note the orientation of any washers or bushings for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Remove upper shock mounting hardware
   Access the upper coil-over shock/spring assembly mount from within the rear suspension bay or from underneath, depending on access. The upper mount typically consists of a stud with a nut and possibly a retaining plate. Remove the upper mounting nut and any retaining hardware. Carefully lower and remove the shock absorber from the vehicle. Set aside for reinstallation or replacement.
4. 4

   Lower suspension to access spring
   Slowly and carefully lower the floor jack supporting the control arm. As you lower, watch the coil spring begin to extend. Continue lowering until the spring is fully extended and no longer under compression from the suspension weight. The spring should be loose between its upper and lower seats but still captured in position. Do NOT remove the jack completely—keep it in position to support the control arm.
5. 5

   Install spring compressor
   Install the coil spring compressor according to the manufacturer's instructions. Position compressor hooks or plates evenly around the spring, ensuring they engage at least 2-3 full coils from each end. Alternate tightening the compressor bolts/nuts gradually and evenly—never fully tighten one side before the other. Compress the spring until there is approximately 2-3 inches of free space at both the top and bottom seats. The spring should be sufficiently compressed to allow removal from its mounting position.
   ⚠️Ensure spring compressor components are fully engaged on spring coils. Compressor slippage can cause violent spring release. Wear safety glasses and keep hands and body clear of spring ends during compression.
6. 6

   Remove compressed spring
   With the spring fully compressed and under control of the spring compressor, carefully maneuver it out of the suspension. You may need to slightly adjust the jack position or use a pry bar to guide the spring past the control arm and upper mounting location. Remove the spring with compressor still installed. Inspect the upper and lower spring isolator pads (rubber or polyurethane cushions). If worn, cracked, or compressed, replace them.
7. 7

   Inspect mounting surfaces
   With the spring removed, clean the upper spring seat (typically on the body/frame) and lower spring seat (on the control arm or axle housing) using a wire brush. Remove rust, debris, and old rubber particles. Inspect both seats for damage, cracks, or deformation. Check control arm bushings for tears or excessive wear—now is an ideal time to identify other suspension issues.
8. 8

   Prepare and compress new spring
   Install new spring isolator pads on both ends of the new spring if equipped. Position the spring compressor on the new spring in the same manner as removal—evenly spaced hooks or plates engaging 2-3 coils from each end. Compress the new spring to the same approximate length as the old spring was compressed (sufficient to allow installation with 2-3 inches clearance at each seat).
   ⚠️New springs may have slightly different characteristics than worn springs. Compress gradually and evenly, verifying compressor engagement throughout the process.
9. 9

   Install new spring
   Carefully position the compressed new spring into the suspension, aligning it with the upper and lower spring seats. Ensure any locating tabs or alignment features on the isolator pads engage correctly with corresponding slots in the seats. The spring end coils typically have a specific orientation—verify the flat or pigtail end matches the original spring orientation. Use the jack to raise the control arm slightly if needed to help guide the spring into position.
10. 10

    Release spring compressor
    With the spring positioned correctly in its seats, slowly and evenly release the spring compressor. Loosen the compressor bolts/nuts gradually in small increments, alternating sides to maintain even tension. As the spring decompresses, verify it remains properly seated in both upper and lower seats. Once the spring is fully seated and the compressor is completely loose, remove the compressor components from the spring.
    ⚠If the spring begins to shift or unseat during decompression, immediately stop and re-engage the compressor. Reposition the spring and try again.
11. 11

    Reinstall shock absorber
    Raise the floor jack under the control arm to bring the suspension into a position where the shock absorber can be reinstalled. Install the upper shock mount hardware first, ensuring any bushings, washers, or spacers are in the correct order and orientation. Install the upper nut but do not fully torque yet. Align the lower shock mount with its attachment point on the control arm or axle housing and install the lower mounting bolt. Tighten hardware snugly but do not torque to specification yet.
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1 through 11 for the right rear spring, following the identical procedure: support suspension with jack, remove shock absorber, lower suspension, compress and remove old spring, inspect and clean seats, install and decompress new spring, reinstall shock absorber.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand initially to avoid cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until snug but not fully torqued. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. The vehicle weight must be on the wheels before torquing suspension components.
14. 14

    Torque all fasteners to specification
    With the vehicle weight on the wheels (suspension at normal ride height), torque all suspension fasteners. Torque the shock absorber upper and lower mounting bolts to the appropriate specification based on the shock design and attachment points. Then torque the wheel lug nuts to 136 Nm (100 lb-ft) in a star pattern.
    ⚠Suspension fasteners MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension. Failure to do so will result in bushing bind and premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final inspection and test
    Perform a final visual inspection of all work. Verify all fasteners are tight, no tools or parts are left in the suspension area, and springs are properly seated. Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle several times to settle the suspension. Re-check torque on wheel lug nuts. Test drive the vehicle in a safe area at low speed, checking for unusual noises, handling issues, or vibrations before returning to normal operation.

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the procedural steps above, as each component is reinstalled immediately after the spring replacement.
2. Critical: All suspension fasteners with rubber bushings must be torqued with the vehicle at normal ride height (weight on wheels), not with suspension hanging.
3. After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check wheel lug nut torque and perform a visual inspection of all suspension components to ensure nothing has loosened or shifted.

Verification

• Visually confirm both new springs are fully seated in upper and lower spring seats with no gaps or misalignment.
• Verify all suspension fasteners are tight and torqued to specification.
• Check that vehicle sits level side-to-side with no visible sag on either side.
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area. Vehicle should track straight, suspension should feel firm and controlled over bumps, and no clunking or rattling noises should be present.
• After test drive, re-inspect spring seats to confirm springs have not shifted during initial suspension cycling.
• Schedule an alignment check within 100 miles of spring replacement, as new springs may slightly alter suspension geometry even if no other components were changed.

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