Front Struts - Pair

Replace both front strut assemblies on a 2005 Dodge Viper, including removal from the steering knuckle and strut towers, followed by installation of new strut assemblies.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

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

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 while vehicle is on the ground, but do not remove.
4. Raise front of vehicle using floor jack at designated front jacking point.
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at reinforced front jacking locations per owner's manual.
6. Remove front wheels completely and set aside.
7. Spray penetrating oil on all strut fasteners and allow to soak while preparing tools.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access Strut Tower Mounting (Driver Side)
   Open the hood and locate the driver side strut tower in the engine compartment. The strut tower is visible at the front corner of the engine bay. Identify the upper coilover shock mounting fastener(s) securing the top of the shock absorber assembly to the frame/upper mount. VERIFY exact configuration against the 2005 Viper factory service manual — this vehicle uses a double-wishbone coilover shock design, not a MacPherson strut with a strut tower. Clear any debris or covers if present.
2. 2

   Disconnect Sway Bar Link (Driver Side)
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm or strut assembly. Using a wrench to hold the stud from rotating, remove the upper nut connecting the sway bar link to the strut. The link may remain attached to the sway bar.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts (Driver Side)
   Locate the lower shock mounting bolt securing the bottom of the coilover shock to the lower control arm. VERIFY the exact fastener configuration against the 2005 Viper factory service manual before removal. Mark the orientation of the strut position relative to the knuckle using a paint pen or scribe to aid in reassembly alignment. Support the strut assembly with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts completely. You may need to use a pry bar to separate the strut from the knuckle after bolt removal.
   ⚠The strut will become loose once these bolts are removed. Ensure the strut is supported to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove Strut Tower Nuts (Driver Side)
   Return to the engine compartment. While supporting the strut assembly from below (or having an assistant hold it), remove the strut tower nuts that were identified in step 1. Once all nuts are removed, carefully lower the strut assembly down and out through the wheel well. Maneuver the strut past the control arm and brake components.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy and awkward. Control its descent to avoid damaging brake lines, ABS sensors, or other components.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Inspect and Clean Mounting Surfaces (Driver Side)
   With the strut removed, inspect the strut tower mounting surface and the steering knuckle mounting bore for damage, corrosion, or deformation. Clean both surfaces with a wire brush. Check the condition of brake lines and ABS sensor wiring in the area. Verify the new strut assembly matches the removed unit in overall length and mounting configuration before proceeding.
   ℹ️If the strut tower or knuckle shows cracks, severe corrosion, or deformation, do not proceed. Structural repair is required before installing new struts.
6. 6

   Install New Strut Assembly (Driver Side)
   Guide the new strut assembly up through the wheel well and into position. Align the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Install the strut tower nuts finger-tight but do not torque yet. Align the lower strut mount with the steering knuckle, using the alignment marks made during disassembly as a reference. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and install nuts finger-tight.
   ⚠Ensure the strut is properly oriented with the brake hose mounting bracket (if equipped) facing the correct direction.
7. 7

   Torque Driver Side Fasteners
   Torque all shock and suspension fasteners to the values specified in the 2005 Dodge Viper factory service manual. Do NOT use assumed values — obtain the exact upper mount, lower shock bolt, and sway bar link torque specs from FSM documentation before final tightening.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

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

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Access Strut Tower Mounting (Passenger Side)
   Locate the passenger side strut tower in the engine compartment. The strut tower is visible at the front corner of the engine bay. Identify the upper coilover shock mounting fastener(s) securing the top of the shock absorber assembly to the frame/upper mount. VERIFY exact configuration against the 2005 Viper factory service manual — this vehicle uses a double-wishbone coilover shock design, not a MacPherson strut with a strut tower. Clear any debris or covers if present.
9. 9

   Disconnect Sway Bar Link (Passenger Side)
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm or strut assembly. Using a wrench to hold the stud from rotating, remove the upper nut connecting the sway bar link to the strut. The link may remain attached to the sway bar.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Remove Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts (Passenger Side)
    Locate the lower shock mounting bolt securing the bottom of the coilover shock to the lower control arm. VERIFY the exact fastener configuration against the 2005 Viper factory service manual before removal. Mark the orientation of the strut position relative to the knuckle using a paint pen or scribe. Support the strut assembly with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts completely. Use a pry bar if needed to separate the strut from the knuckle after bolt removal.
    ⚠The strut will become loose once these bolts are removed. Ensure the strut is supported to prevent it from falling.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Remove Strut Tower Nuts (Passenger Side)
    Return to the engine compartment. While supporting the strut assembly from below, remove the strut tower nuts identified in step 8. Once all nuts are removed, carefully lower the strut assembly down and out through the wheel well. Maneuver the strut past the control arm and brake components.
    ⚠The strut assembly is heavy and awkward. Control its descent to avoid damaging brake lines, ABS sensors, or other components.
    Torque spec

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

    Inspect and Clean Mounting Surfaces (Passenger Side)
    With the strut removed, inspect the strut tower mounting surface and the steering knuckle mounting bore for damage, corrosion, or deformation. Clean both surfaces with a wire brush. Check the condition of brake lines and ABS sensor wiring in the area. Verify the new strut assembly matches the removed unit in overall length and mounting configuration.
    ℹ️If the strut tower or knuckle shows cracks, severe corrosion, or deformation, do not proceed. Structural repair is required before installing new struts.
13. 13

    Install New Strut Assembly (Passenger Side)
    Guide the new strut assembly up through the wheel well and into position. Align the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Install the strut tower nuts finger-tight but do not torque yet. Align the lower strut mount with the steering knuckle, using the alignment marks made during disassembly as a reference. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and install nuts finger-tight.
    ⚠Ensure the strut is properly oriented with the brake hose mounting bracket (if equipped) facing the correct direction.
14. 14

    Torque Passenger Side Fasteners
    Torque all shock and suspension fasteners to the values specified in the 2005 Dodge Viper factory service manual. Do NOT use assumed values — obtain the exact upper mount, lower shock bolt, and sway bar link torque specs from FSM documentation before final tightening.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

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

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall Wheels and Lower Vehicle
    Install both front wheels and thread lug nuts by hand to ensure proper seating. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench but do not fully torque yet. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to unload the jack stands. Remove jack stands and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the lug nuts to the 2005 Viper factory-specified value (verify against FSM, approximately 100 lb-ft / 136 Nm) in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the installation steps above. All fasteners must be torqued to specification.
2. Do not attempt to adjust camber, caster, or toe settings without proper alignment equipment.

Verification

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or interference in the strut assemblies.
• Bounce each corner of the vehicle to verify the struts dampen properly without unusual noise.
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area to verify normal steering response and suspension function. Listen for any clunks, rattles, or unusual noises.
• Visually inspect all fasteners for proper installation and torque.
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment immediately. The Viper's performance suspension requires precise alignment for safe operation.

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