* Floor jack
* Jack stands
* Wheel chocks
* 3/8-inch drive ratchet
* 18mm socket
* 21mm socket
* Pry bar
* Bungee cord
* New shock absorbers
Instructions
1. Prepare your vehicle.
- Park your Dodge Dakota on a level surface.
- Turn off the engine and engage the parking brake.
- Chock the rear wheels.
- Jack up the front of the vehicle and support it on jack stands.
2. Remove the front wheels.
- Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels.
- Raise the vehicle until the wheels are off the ground.
- Remove the lug nuts and take off the front wheels.
3. Disconnect the sway bar links.
- Locate the sway bar links on the lower control arm.
- Use a pry bar to disconnect the sway bar links from the lower control arm.
4. Remove the upper shock mounting bolts.
- Locate the upper shock mounting bolts in the engine bay.
- Use a 21mm socket and ratchet to remove the upper shock mounting bolts.
5. Remove the lower shock mounting bolts.
- Locate the lower shock mounting bolts on the lower control arm.
- Use an 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the lower shock mounting bolts.
6. Remove the shock absorber.
- Once all of the bolts have been removed, you can remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
7. Transfer the components from the old shock to the new shock
- Remove the upper shock mount and rubber isolator from the old shock absorber and install it onto the new shock absorber.
- Compress the new shock absorber using a spring compressor.
- Install the bump stop and dust boot onto the new shock absorber.
8. Install the new shock absorber.
- Insert the new shock absorber into the upper and lower shock mounting brackets.
- Install the upper and lower shock mounting bolts.
- Tighten the shock mounting bolts until they are snug.
9. Reconnect the sway bar links.
- Reattach the sway bar links to the lower control arm.
- Ensure the sway bar links are properly connected and secure.
10. Reinstall the wheels.
-Reinstall the wheels and tighten the lug nuts until they are snug. Lower the vehicle until the wheels are on the ground.
11. Test drive your vehicle.
- Take your Dodge Dakota for a test drive to ensure the new shock absorbers are working properly.
