Strut Mount - Rear

Remove and replace the rear strut mount assembly on a 1992 Dodge Viper, requiring interior trim removal to access the upper mount nuts and suspension lowering to remove the assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut mount assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Strut mount bearing (if not included with mount) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Upper strut mount nuts × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands placed at designated rear jacking points.
4. Remove rear wheel on side being serviced.
5. Spray penetrating oil on strut tower nuts and strut mounting hardware; allow to soak while accessing interior.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access trunk interior strut tower
   Raise and support the rear of the vehicle, then locate the rear coil-over shock absorber. On the Viper's SLA suspension the shock's upper mount attaches to the frame/chassis bracket, not a trunk-accessible strut tower. Verify the exact upper mounting location and fastener count against factory service documentation before proceeding.h 3 nuts visible from the top.
2. 2

   Mark strut alignment position
   Before loosening any fasteners, use a marker or paint pen to mark the position of the strut mount relative to the body and mark the orientation of any eccentric bolts or adjustment features. This preserves the existing alignment settings and simplifies reassembly.
3. 3

   Support rear suspension
   Position a floor jack under the rear lower control arm or axle assembly on the side being serviced. Raise jack just enough to take light tension off the strut assembly, not to lift the vehicle further. This prevents the suspension from dropping when the strut is disconnected and maintains control during removal.
4. 4

   Remove upper strut mount nuts
   Locate and remove the upper shock absorber mounting fastener(s) securing the coil-over to the frame bracket. Verify the exact number and type of upper mounting fasteners against factory service documentation. Do not allow the shock shaft to spin while removing the fastener; hold the shaft flats with a wrench if it spins.
5. 5

   Disconnect lower strut mounting
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the lower shock mounting bolt connecting the coil-over to the lower control arm. Verify the exact number and location of the lower mounting fastener(s) against factory service documentation, then remove the fastener(s) while supporting the shock assembly. These are large fasteners and may require a breaker bar. Support the strut assembly as you remove the final bolt.
6. 6

   Remove strut assembly
   With both upper and lower mounts disconnected, carefully lower the floor jack slightly to relieve any remaining tension. Guide the strut assembly down and out from the wheel well. Maneuver the top of the strut through the body opening. The assembly may need to be angled to clear surrounding components.
7. 7

   Inspect and prepare replacement mount
   With the strut removed, inspect the strut shaft for damage, scoring, or fluid leakage. Clean the strut tower mounting surface on the body with a wire brush, removing any rust or debris. Inspect the mounting studs on the new strut mount for damage. If servicing the upper mount/bushing separately from the shock, the coil-over spring may need to be compressed with a proper spring compressor to access the mount—this is SAFETY-CRITICAL work requiring proper equipment. Verify the coil-over disassembly procedure against factory documentation.
8. 8

   Install strut assembly with new mount
   Guide the strut assembly up into position, feeding the upper mount studs through the body mounting holes in the strut tower. You may need to raise the floor jack under the lower control arm slightly to align the lower mounting holes. Align the marks made during disassembly to preserve alignment settings.
9. 9

   Install lower strut mounting bolts
   Install the 2 lower strut-to-knuckle mounting bolts and thread them by hand first to ensure proper alignment. Do not fully tighten yet. Ensure the strut is properly seated in the mounting bracket.
10. 10

    Install upper strut mount nuts
    Install the upper shock mounting fastener(s) to the frame bracket, threading by hand first. Torque to factory specification per the service manual for the coil-over upper mount.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque lower strut bolts
    With the upper mount secured, torque the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. Use a torque wrench and ensure the bolts are tightened evenly.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall trunk trim and wheel
    Reinstall the trunk carpeting and trim panels removed for access, ensuring all clips and fasteners are properly seated. Install the rear wheel, threading lug nuts by hand first. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but weight is still on jack stands.
13. 13

    Final torque and lower vehicle
    Torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Remove jack stands and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Perform a final torque check on all lug nuts with vehicle weight on the ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all trunk trim panels are securely fastened and properly aligned.
2. Verify no tools or parts were left in the trunk or wheel well.
3. Bounce the rear suspension several times to settle components before final inspection.

Verification

• Perform a visual inspection of the upper strut mount from the trunk to confirm all 3 nuts are tight and the mount is properly seated.
• Inspect lower strut mounting bolts to verify proper torque and that hardware is secure.
• Test drive the vehicle at low speeds in a safe area, listening for any abnormal noises from the rear suspension.
• Check for proper suspension response over bumps and during cornering—no clunking, excessive bouncing, or unusual handling characteristics.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, recheck torque on upper mount nuts and lower mounting bolts.

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