How to change struts - 2008 Dodge Dakota

If you are changing out a loaded strut assembly, basic hand tools. There are two through bolts where the knuckle attach to the lower portion of the strut and there are three nuts at the top that attach the strut to the strut tower. I believe the through bolts are 17mm or 19mm and the top nuts are I believe 14mm. If you are planning on changing just the strut cartridge, you will need a strut spring compressor and an impact for the retaining nut.

need to change your top strut mounts i just put new struts on and noticed the noise she was hearing was still there just change strut mounts you will be fine

2005 Looks early for changing the struts, But anyhow you won't need anything except the struts but i dont exactly know if you want to change the struts and springs or just struts.

Go to Autozone and buy 2 front strut "cartridges". Then rent their strut cartridge installation tool from their loaner tool program. You can change both sides in about an hour without even jacking the car up-be sure to have a 15/16" wrench on hand for the nut and follow the directions that come with the loaner tool. Also spray a little penetrating oil on the nut a few days before you do the job. There is no reason to change the entire strut assembly unless something has failed.

when the strut is leaking oil then you need the get the whole strut changed...
usually only good mechanics know how to change them...
if a normal person tries to change it by himself...
he could get himself killed! the strut spring would fly in the person in the speed on light and kill him...
Good Luck!

either the strut is not tight or the strut mount it bad. did you change the strut mount when you changed the strut?

You'll need to unbolt the top of the strut and the bottom of the strut at the steering knuckle. You'll need a spring compressor to compress the spring before seperating the strut from the strut mount and spring. You may want to replace the strut mount also. MAKE SURE THE SPRING IS COMPRESSED ENOUGH BEFORE REMOVING THE TOP STRUT MOUNT!!!!

Struts have big springs around them and they need to be compressed to change the strut. These compressed spring store a large amount of energy and can be very dangerous when handled improperly. This requires special tools and skills. Also after changing struts a wheel alignment is necessary. Unless you are a very experienced do it yourselfer changing struts is probably not something you should try. Take it to a shop.

this is best done with a strut spring compressor if you don't have one, do not atempt this operation at home. the springs on the struts need to be compressed to allow the nut to be removed and the new strut be installed. if you still want to do this your self call an independent garage and see if they will compress the springs and change the struts for you. then you can remove and reassemble them at home. also some automotive part stores have machine shop to do this for you. again do not remove the nut on the strut without the spring being compressed properly this is very dangerous. ken!