Strut Assembly - Front

Replace the front strut assemblies on a 1992 Dodge Viper, including removal of the strut from the knuckle and strut tower, and installation of new assemblies.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Front strut assembly (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove.
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at approved front jacking point.
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified support points.
6. Remove front wheels completely.
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolt threads and strut tower nuts if corrosion is present. Allow to soak while preparing tools.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower mounting points in the engine compartment. The 1992 Viper uses a short/long-arm (double-wishbone) suspension with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. Locate the upper coil-over shock mounting point on the frame; verify actual mounting fastener count and configuration against the factory service manual before proceeding. Note the position of any wiring harnesses or brake lines that may be clipped near the strut tower.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar end link (if necessary)
   If the sway bar end link interferes with strut removal, disconnect it from the strut housing. Hold the ball stud with a wrench to prevent spinning and remove the upper nut. Some Viper configurations may allow strut removal without disconnecting the end link by pivoting the strut assembly; assess clearance before proceeding.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar End Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake line bracket from strut
   Locate the brake line bracket bolted to the strut body. Remove the bolt securing the bracket to the strut housing. Do not disconnect the brake line itself; simply free it from the strut to allow separation. Support the brake caliper and line to prevent strain on the hydraulic connection.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two large bolts connecting the strut to the steering knuckle at the bottom of the strut assembly. These are through-bolts with nuts on the backside. Support the strut assembly with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove both nuts and drive the bolts out. The knuckle may need to be pried away slightly to separate from the strut. Verify against the factory service manual whether these bolts are reusable or torque-to-yield before deciding to replace them.
   ⚠Support the strut assembly before removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling and damaging brake components or injuring personnel.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts150 Nm (111 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   Return to the engine compartment. While supporting the coil-over shock from below (or having an assistant hold it), remove the upper mounting fastener(s) securing the shock to the frame bracket. Confirm the exact fastener type and count against the factory service manual before proceeding. Do NOT loosen the center strut shaft nut at this time unless you have the spring compressed in a compressor. Once all three nuts are removed, carefully lower the strut assembly out from the wheel well.
   ⚠️Do not loosen the center strut mount nut visible in the engine compartment. This nut retains the compressed spring and must only be serviced with proper spring compression equipment.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Inspect removed strut assembly
   With the strut removed, inspect the strut body for leaking fluid, damaged dust boot, and bent shaft. Inspect the spring for cracks or damage. Check the upper mount bearing for wear or binding. If transferring components from the old strut to a new one, proceed to spring compression. If installing a complete pre-assembled strut assembly, skip to installation steps.
7. 7

   Transfer spring and mount (if applicable)
   If installing a strut cartridge or bare strut body, the spring and upper mount must be transferred. Install a quality spring compressor on the coil spring, ensuring hooks are properly seated. Compress the spring evenly until tension is relieved from the upper mount. Hold the shock shaft from rotating using the manufacturer-specified anti-rotation feature (hex socket, wrench flats, or holding tool per the service manual), then remove the center nut. Carefully release spring tension and disassemble the upper mount, bearing, spring, and isolators. Note the orientation of all components. Reassemble onto the new strut in reverse order, compress the spring, and torque the center nut.
   ⚠️Spring compressors must be rated for automotive coil springs and used exactly per manufacturer instructions. Uneven compression or tool failure can cause catastrophic spring release.
   Torque spec

   Strut Mount Center Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install strut assembly into strut tower
   Lift the new or rebuilt strut assembly up into position from below the vehicle, aligning the three studs on the upper mount with the holes in the strut tower. Push the assembly up fully until the studs protrude through the tower. From the engine compartment, thread the three strut tower nuts onto the studs by hand. Do not fully tighten yet.
9. 9

   Connect strut to steering knuckle
   Align the strut body with the steering knuckle bracket. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts through the knuckle and strut. Install nuts on the backside and tighten by hand. A pry bar may be needed to align the holes if the knuckle has shifted. Use new bolts if originals show any stretching or thread damage.
   ℹ️Ensure the strut is fully seated in the knuckle bracket before installing bolts. Misalignment can cause binding or premature wear.
10. 10

    Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Using a torque wrench, tighten the two strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. Torque in a cross pattern if possible, or alternate between bolts to ensure even seating. Verify that the strut is fully seated against the knuckle bracket.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts150 Nm (111 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque strut tower nuts
    Return to the engine compartment and torque the three strut tower mounting nuts to specification. Torque in a star pattern to ensure even loading of the mount.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reattach brake line bracket
    Reinstall the brake line bracket to the strut body using the original bolt. Ensure the brake line is properly routed and not kinked or under tension. Tighten the bracket bolt securely.
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar end link (if disconnected)
    If the sway bar end link was disconnected in step 2, reconnect it to the strut housing. Install the nut and torque to specification while holding the ball stud with a wrench to prevent spinning.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar End Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 13 for the opposite front strut assembly. Both front struts should be replaced as a pair to maintain balanced handling characteristics.
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both front wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the wheels contact the ground but the suspension is not yet loaded. Torque the wheel fasteners to the factory-specified value in a star pattern, verifying the correct wheel retention type and torque spec for this Viper against the service manual. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly the safety-critical strut mounting points.
2. Verify brake lines are properly routed and secured with no kinks or tension.
3. Check that no tools or parts were left in the engine compartment or wheel wells.

Verification

• With vehicle on level ground, bounce each front corner firmly and verify no abnormal noises, clunks, or looseness.
• Visually inspect strut tower nuts from engine compartment to confirm all three nuts are tight on each side.
• Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or interference with new strut assemblies.
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area, listening for any unusual noises from front suspension.
• Have vehicle professionally aligned immediately after completion. Front suspension geometry has been disturbed and alignment is required for safe operation and tire wear.

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