Shock Absorber Replacement

This procedure covers the removal and installation of front and rear shock absorbers on the 1992 Dodge Viper, including proper torque specifications for mounting hardware.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front shock absorber (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent performance damper
• Front shock absorber (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent performance damper
• Rear shock absorber (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent performance damper
• Rear shock absorber (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent performance damper
• Upper mount self-locking nut × 4 — M12 self-locking nut

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Chock the wheels that will remain on the ground.
3. Loosen wheel lug nuts slightly before raising vehicle.
4. Raise vehicle using floor jack at manufacturer-approved jacking points.
5. Support vehicle securely on all four jack stands at frame contact points.
6. Remove all four wheels to access shock absorbers.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access front upper shock mount
   Open the hood and locate the upper shock mount towers in the engine bay. The front shock upper mounts are accessible from above, directly behind the front wheel wells. Each shock shaft extends through the upper control arm area and is secured with an upper nut visible from the engine compartment.
2. 2

   Remove front shock upper mounting nut
   Using a 15mm wrench to hold the shock shaft flat (prevent spinning), remove the upper mounting nut with a 19mm socket. The shock shaft may have flats machined into it for this purpose. Discard the old self-locking nut as it should not be reused.
3. 3

   Remove front shock lower mounting bolt
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the lower shock mount bolt that secures the shock to the lower control arm bracket. Remove the lower mounting bolt using a 21mm socket and breaker bar. The bolt passes through the shock eye and the lower control arm mounting point. Support the shock as you remove the bolt to prevent it from falling.
4. 4

   Remove front shock absorber
   Pull the shock downward and away from the upper mount tower. The shock will compress slightly as you remove it through the lower control arm area. Inspect the mounting bushings and hardware for wear or damage. Repeat steps 2-4 for the opposite front shock.
5. 5

   Access rear upper shock mount
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the rear shock absorbers which mount between the rear lower control arm and the chassis. The upper mount is accessible from below and attaches to a bracket on the chassis frame rail. The rear shocks are positioned inboard of the rear wheels.
6. 6

   Remove rear shock upper mounting nut
   Using a 15mm wrench to hold the shock shaft if necessary, remove the upper mounting nut with a 19mm socket. The upper mount secures the shock to the chassis bracket. Discard the old self-locking nut.
7. 7

   Remove rear shock lower mounting bolt
   Remove the lower mounting bolt that secures the shock to the rear lower control arm using a 21mm socket. The bolt passes through the shock eye and the control arm bracket. Support the shock to prevent it from falling once the bolt is removed.
8. 8

   Remove rear shock absorber
   Remove the shock absorber by maneuvering it away from the mounting points. Inspect the mounting bushings and hardware for wear. Repeat steps 6-8 for the opposite rear shock.
9. 9

   Prepare new shock absorbers
   Unpack new shock absorbers and verify they match the originals in mounting configuration and overall length. Shock absorbers are often shipped fully extended; do not forcefully compress them. Ensure all mounting bushings and washers are properly positioned on the new shocks.
10. 10

    Install front shock absorbers
    Position the new front shock with the upper shaft extending through the upper mount tower. Install the lower mounting bolt through the shock eye and lower control arm bracket, but do not fully torque yet. Thread on a new self-locking nut at the upper mount, holding the shock shaft with a wrench to prevent spinning. Repeat for the opposite front shock.
    Torque spec

    Lower Mount Bolt68 Nm (50 lb-ft)

    Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install rear shock absorbers
    Position the new rear shock between the chassis bracket and lower control arm. Install the lower mounting bolt through the shock eye and control arm bracket, but do not fully torque yet. Thread on a new self-locking nut at the upper mount. Repeat for the opposite rear shock.
    Torque spec

    Lower Mount Bolt68 Nm (50 lb-ft)

    Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Torque all shock mounting hardware
    With the vehicle weight still supported on jack stands (suspension at full droop), torque all lower mounting bolts to 68 Nm (50 lb-ft) using a torque wrench and 21mm socket. Then torque all upper mounting nuts to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft) using a 19mm socket while holding the shock shaft with a 15mm wrench. Verify all fasteners are properly seated and torqued.
    Torque spec

    Lower Mount Bolt68 Nm (50 lb-ft)

    Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all four wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
2. Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands to the ground.
3. Torque wheel lug nuts to manufacturer specification in a star pattern.
4. Remove wheel chocks.
5. Close hood.

Verification

• Bounce each corner of the vehicle to verify shocks are functioning properly with appropriate damping and no unusual noises.
• Inspect all mounting points for proper installation and verify no hardware is loose.
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify proper handling response and absence of clunking or rattling from suspension.
• Recheck torque on all shock mounting hardware after initial test drive.

More procedures for this vehicle