Shock Absorber Replacement

Remove and replace front and rear shock absorbers on the 2005 Dodge Viper, restoring proper suspension damping and handling characteristics.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front shock absorber × 2 — Use OEM specification or performance equivalent
• Rear shock absorber × 2 — Use OEM specification or performance equivalent
• Upper mount self-locking nut × 4 — M12 self-locking nut

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels if working front first, or front wheels if working rear first.
3. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground but do not remove.
4. Raise vehicle at approved jacking points and secure on four jack stands at proper lift points.
5. Remove all four wheels and set aside.
6. Apply penetrating oil to shock absorber mounting fasteners and allow to soak while preparing tools.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access front upper shock mount
   Raise the vehicle and support on jack stands, then locate the front coil-over shock absorber mounted between the upper and lower control arms. Both the upper and lower mounts are through-bolts accessed from the wheel well. Clean any debris from the mounting areas before removal.
2. 2

   Remove front shock upper fastener
   From the wheel well, remove the upper shock mounting through-bolt and nut using appropriately sized sockets. Discard any self-locking fasteners; they will be replaced with new ones during installation. Support the shock assembly during removal.
3. 3

   Remove front shock lower fastener
   Move to the wheel well and locate the lower shock mount through-bolt connecting the shock to the lower control arm. Remove the lower mount bolt using the correct size socket per the factory service manual. Support the shock absorber as you remove the bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove front shock absorber
   With both upper and lower through-bolts removed, maneuver the coil-over shock assembly out from between the control arms. Inspect mounting bushings and hardware for damage or deterioration; replace if necessary.
5. 5

   Install new front shock absorber
   Position the new front coil-over shock assembly between the control arms, aligning the upper and lower mounting eyes with their brackets. Install the upper and lower mount through-bolts finger-tight but do not torque yet.
   Torque spec

   Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Secure front shock upper mount
   Torque the upper shock mount through-bolt to the factory-specified value using a torque wrench. Verify correct fastener orientation and that new self-locking hardware is used where specified.
   Torque spec

   Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Torque front shock lower mount
   With the suspension at normal ride height (vehicle weight on suspension, not hanging), torque the lower mount bolt to specification using a 21mm socket and torque wrench. It is critical that this bolt is torqued with the suspension loaded to prevent bushing bind.
   Torque spec

   Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Access rear upper shock mount
   Raise and support the rear of the vehicle, then locate the rear coil-over shock absorber mounted in the rear suspension. Both mounts are through-bolts accessed from the wheel well area. Clean the mounting areas before removal.
9. 9

   Remove rear shock upper fastener
   Remove the rear upper shock mounting through-bolt and nut using the correct size tools per the factory service manual. Discard any self-locking fasteners as they will be replaced. Support the shock assembly during removal.
10. 10

    Remove rear shock lower fastener
    Move to the rear wheel well and locate the lower shock mount through-bolt connecting the shock to the rear suspension lower arm. Remove the lower mount bolt using the correct size socket per the factory service manual, supporting the shock to prevent it from falling.
    Torque spec

    Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Remove rear shock absorber
    Withdraw the rear shock absorber downward through the suspension. The shock will separate from the upper mount as you lower it. Inspect the upper mount bushing and hardware for wear or damage.
12. 12

    Install new rear shock absorber
    Position the new rear coil-over shock assembly in the suspension, aligning the upper and lower mounting eyes with their brackets. Install the upper and lower mount through-bolts finger-tight but do not torque yet.
    Torque spec

    Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Secure rear shock upper mount
    Torque the rear upper shock mount through-bolt to the factory-specified value using a torque wrench, using new self-locking hardware where specified.
    Torque spec

    Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Torque rear shock lower mount
    With the suspension at normal ride height (vehicle weight on suspension), torque the lower mount bolt to specification using a 21mm socket and torque wrench. This must be done with the suspension loaded to prevent bushing bind and premature wear.
    Torque spec

    Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall all four wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle from jack stands to the ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to the factory-specified value in a star pattern (verify against the 2005 Viper service manual). Replace carpet or trim panels removed for shock tower access.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all self-locking nuts on upper shock mounts are new replacements, not reused hardware.
2. Verify that all suspension fasteners were torqued with the vehicle at normal ride height to prevent bushing bind.
3. Double-check that all wheel lug nuts are properly torqued in a star pattern.

Verification

• Bounce each corner of the vehicle and verify the suspension rebounds smoothly without excessive bouncing or noise.
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all shock mounting bolts are installed and properly seated.
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed over varied road surfaces, listening for any unusual suspension noises or handling issues.
• Verify that steering response and body control have improved compared to pre-replacement condition.

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