Strut Mount - Front

Replace the front strut mount (upper strut bearing and mount assembly) which isolates road shock and allows steering pivot on the front suspension strut.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut mount assembly × 1 — Mopar 04742588 or equivalent
• Upper strut bearing (if not included with mount) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Strut bumper and dust boot (inspect and replace if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
4. Lift front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point and support on jack stands at solid frame rails or suspension crossmember.
5. Remove front wheel on side being serviced.
6. Verify suspension is safely supported and vehicle is stable before proceeding.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower mounting area. The strut tower is visible in the engine bay near the inner fender. Clear any components or harnesses that may obstruct access to the upper strut mount nuts. The upper mount is secured by the strut tower nuts accessible from the top of the strut tower; verify exact nut count against the 1992 Viper factory service manual before proceeding.
2. 2

   Mark strut alignment position
   Before loosening any fasteners, use a paint marker or scribe to mark the position of the strut upper mount relative to the strut tower. This will aid in maintaining approximate alignment during reassembly. Note the orientation of any alignment tabs or offset holes in the mount.
3. 3

   Support lower control arm
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm near the ball joint to support the suspension weight. Raise the jack just enough to take the weight off the strut but do not lift the vehicle. This relieves tension on the strut mount and prevents the suspension from dropping when fasteners are removed.
   ⚠The jack must remain in place throughout the procedure to control suspension travel and prevent component damage or injury.
4. 4

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   From the engine bay, remove the 3 nuts securing the strut mount to the strut tower. Use a socket and ratchet or wrench. Support the strut assembly from below while removing the final nut to prevent it from dropping. The strut shaft will extend through the center of the mount; do not allow the strut to rotate or drop suddenly.
5. 5

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle at the bottom of the strut assembly; verify exact bolt count against the 1992 Viper factory service manual before proceeding. These are large bolts passing through the knuckle and strut bracket. Remove both bolts completely. You may need to support the knuckle with one hand or use a pry bar to separate the knuckle from the strut bracket after bolt removal.
6. 6

   Remove strut assembly from vehicle
   Carefully lower the floor jack supporting the control arm to allow the suspension to drop slightly. Tilt the top of the strut inward and maneuver the entire strut assembly out through the wheel well. The strut shaft will withdraw from the strut tower opening. Place the strut assembly on a clean workbench.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy and awkward. Use proper lifting technique and have an assistant if needed.
7. 7

   Install spring compressor
   Secure the strut in a bench vise using soft jaws or strut vise fixtures, clamping only on the strut body (not the shaft). Install the spring compressor tools on opposite sides of the coil spring, engaging at least 3-4 coils on each compressor hook. Ensure the compressor threads are fully engaged and tools are seated squarely on the spring coils.
   ⚠️Verify spring compressor engagement before applying force. Compressor slippage can cause violent spring release.
8. 8

   Compress coil spring
   Using a wrench, gradually compress the spring by alternating between the two compressor tools. Tighten each tool a few turns at a time to compress the spring evenly. Continue until the spring tension is completely relieved from the upper mount and there is visible gap between the spring seat and mount. The strut shaft should move freely without spring pressure.
   ⚠️Compress evenly and slowly. Stop immediately if compressor tools begin to slip, bend, or show any signs of failure.
9. 9

   Remove strut shaft nut
   Hold the strut shaft from rotating using a wrench on the flat section at the top of the shaft (or appropriate shaft holding tool). Remove the large nut securing the upper mount to the strut shaft. Once the nut is removed, the upper mount, bearing, spring seat, and related components can be lifted off the strut shaft.
10. 10

    Disassemble and inspect upper mount components
    Remove the upper strut mount, bearing plate, upper spring seat, and dust boot from the strut shaft. Inspect all components for wear, cracking, or damage. Check the bearing for roughness or binding. Inspect the rubber mount for deterioration, cracking, or separation. Replace any worn components. Keep components organized in the order they were removed to ensure correct reassembly sequence.
    ℹ️The spring remains under compression. Do not remove spring compressors until reassembly is complete.
11. 11

    Install new strut mount and components
    Clean the strut shaft threads. Install components onto the strut shaft in the reverse order of removal: dust boot, lower spring seat (if applicable), compressed spring, upper spring seat, bearing assembly, and new strut mount. Ensure the bearing is oriented correctly with the bearing race facing the mount. Align any locating tabs or offset holes with the corresponding features on the strut bracket.
    ⚠Verify correct orientation of all components. The bearing must be installed in the correct direction for proper steering function.
12. 12

    Install and torque strut shaft nut
    Thread the strut shaft nut onto the shaft by hand. Hold the strut shaft from rotating and torque the nut to the manufacturer-specified value using a torque wrench. Verify the strut shaft nut torque against the 1992 Viper factory service manual; it is typically NOT the same as the strut tower nut torque.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Remove spring compressor
    Gradually and evenly loosen the spring compressor tools by alternating between them a few turns at a time. Allow the spring to expand and seat against the upper and lower spring seats. Verify the spring ends are properly seated in the spring seat recesses before completely removing the compressor tools. Once spring is fully seated and compressors are slack, remove the compressor tools entirely.
    ⚠Release spring pressure slowly and evenly. Verify spring seating before final compressor removal.
14. 14

    Install strut assembly into vehicle
    Maneuver the strut assembly back into position through the wheel well. Guide the strut shaft through the strut tower opening from below. Align the upper mount with the strut tower mounting holes, using the alignment marks made during disassembly as a guide. Support the strut while installing the 3 strut tower nuts finger-tight from the engine bay.
15. 15

    Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Raise the floor jack under the lower control arm to lift the suspension and align the steering knuckle with the strut mounting bracket. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and install nuts finger-tight. Verify proper seating of the knuckle in the strut bracket.
16. 16

    Torque all fasteners
    Torque the strut tower nuts to the manufacturer-specified value in a star pattern to ensure even seating. Then torque the strut-to-knuckle bolts to the manufacturer-specified value. Verify all torque specs and fastener counts against the 1992 Viper factory service manual. These are critical suspension fasteners and must be torqued to specification.
    ⚠️Proper torque is critical for safety. Under-torqued fasteners can loosen and cause suspension failure. Over-torquing can cause fastener or component failure.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel onto the hub and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle with the floor jack until the tire just contacts the ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. Torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer-specified value (verify against 1992 Viper factory service manual, typically around 100 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Torque lug nuts again to specification with full vehicle weight on the ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the procedure steps above.
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification before driving the vehicle.
3. If working on both sides, repeat the procedure for the opposite front strut mount.

Verification

• With vehicle on the ground, bounce the front end and listen for any rattling or clunking from the strut tower area. The mount should be silent.
• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary. There should be no binding, clicking, or grinding from the upper mount bearing.
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area. Verify normal steering response and no unusual noises from the front suspension.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check torque on strut tower nuts and strut-to-knuckle bolts.
• Have the front wheel alignment checked by a professional. Strut removal and installation can affect alignment settings.

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