Strut Assembly - Rear

This procedure replaces the rear strut assemblies on a 2005 Dodge Viper, including removal of the strut from the vehicle, installation of new assemblies, and proper torque of all fasteners.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut assembly (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or premium aftermarket equivalent
• Rear strut assembly (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or premium aftermarket equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on ground.
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at approved rear jacking point.
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified lift points on chassis.
6. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut mounting nuts and strut-to-knuckle bolts; allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper strut mounting nuts
   The 2005 Viper uses a double-wishbone (upper/lower A-arm) rear suspension with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. Access the upper shock mount from within the wheel well/frame area, not from inside the trunk. Verify the exact upper mounting location and fastener access against the factory service manual before proceeding.
2. 2

   Support the lower control arm and knuckle assembly
   Position the floor jack under the rear lower control arm or knuckle assembly on the side being serviced. Raise the jack just enough to take light preload on the suspension—this prevents the control arm from dropping suddenly when the strut is disconnected. Use care not to lift the vehicle off the jack stands.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut or control arm
   Locate the rear sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm. Remove the upper nut securing the sway bar link. You may need to hold the link shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning. Once the nut is removed, separate the link from the mounting point. Allow the link to hang or support it with wire to prevent strain on the sway bar.
4. 4

   Remove lower strut-to-knuckle mounting bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the bottom of the strut to the rear knuckle or spindle assembly. These are large diameter bolts passing through the strut mounting bracket and knuckle. Using a breaker bar and socket, remove both bolts completely. You may need to support the strut with one hand or wire as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling.
5. 5

   Remove upper strut tower mounting nuts
   Locate the upper shock absorber mounting fastener where the coil-over attaches to the upper A-arm or frame bracket. Remove the upper mounting bolt/nut while supporting the shock assembly from below. Do NOT allow the assembly to fall—support it with wire/strap until the fastener is removed. Verify the exact number and type of upper fasteners against the factory service manual.
6. 6

   Remove strut assembly from vehicle
   With all fasteners removed, carefully lower the floor jack slightly to create clearance. Maneuver the strut assembly down and out from the wheel well, angling as necessary to clear the control arms, knuckle, and body. The coil-over shock will come out as a unit with the spring installed. Note that this is a coil-over damper, not a sealed MacPherson strut cartridge; handle the compressed spring with appropriate care. Set the old strut aside in a safe location.
7. 7

   Install new strut assembly into position
   Position the new strut assembly into the wheel well, guiding the upper mount studs through the holes in the strut tower. You may need to raise the floor jack slightly under the control arm to align the lower strut bracket with the knuckle mounting holes. Ensure the upper mount studs protrude through the strut tower and are visible from the trunk area.
8. 8

   Install and torque upper strut tower nuts
   Install the upper shock mounting fastener and thread by hand, then torque to the factory-specified value. Verify the exact torque spec and fastener configuration against the factory service manual.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install and torque lower strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Align the lower strut mounting bracket with the holes in the knuckle. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and thread nuts onto the opposite side by hand. Use the floor jack to adjust suspension position as needed for alignment. Once both bolts are started, torque them to specification.
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Reposition the sway bar end link to its mounting point on the control arm or strut assembly. Insert the link stud through the mounting hole and thread the nut onto the stud by hand. Hold the link shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation, then torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat procedure for opposite side
    If replacing both rear struts (recommended for balanced handling), repeat steps 2 through 10 for the opposite side of the vehicle. Ensure both sides are torqued to identical specifications.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern but do not fully torque yet. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle completely to the ground so the full vehicle weight is on the wheels.
13. 13

    Torque wheel lug nuts with vehicle on ground
    With the vehicle on the ground and suspension at ride height, torque all rear wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. This ensures proper clamping force and prevents wheel vibration.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142.4 Nm (105 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall or reposition trunk liner and trim panels removed for strut tower access.
2. Perform a final visual inspection of all fasteners to ensure nothing was left loose or disconnected.
3. Remove wheel chocks from front wheels.

Verification

• With vehicle on level ground, visually inspect that both rear struts are properly seated in the knuckle brackets and upper mounts.
• Gently bounce each rear corner of the vehicle—the suspension should rebound smoothly without clunking or rattling.
• Check that all fasteners are tight and that no tools or parts were left in the wheel wells or trunk area.
• Test drive the vehicle in a safe area at low speed, listening for abnormal suspension noise and verifying normal handling response.
• Have a professional alignment performed immediately after strut replacement—rear suspension geometry will be affected and improper alignment can cause tire wear and handling issues.

More procedures for this vehicle