Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
DODGE Caliber Hatchback 2.2 CRD, DODGE Caliber Hatchback 2.4 Turbo, DODGE Caliber Hatchback 2.0 CRD, DODGE Caliber Hatchback 2.4, DODGE Caliber Hatchback 1.8 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front shock absorbers DODGE CALIBER TUTORIAL AUTODOC

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Caliber Hatchback and other DODGE models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Tools you need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Ceramic grease
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Torx bit T30
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 15 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #19
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Adjustable wrench
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Pin punch
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. AUTODOC recommends:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
Warning! Shut down the engine before starting any work – Dodge Caliber SRT4.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Clean the fastener that connects the sway bar link to the suspension strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the stabilizer rod.

Step 9

Unscrew the fastener that connects the brake hose bracket to the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Remove the brake hose bracket.
Step 11

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Remove the fastening bolts. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 13

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is supported.
Step 14

Lower the car.
Step 15

Open the bonnet.
Step 16

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 17

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 18

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #15. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Dodge Caliber SRT4 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 19

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 20

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 21

Compress the spring.
Step 22

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 23

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use an adjustable wrench.
Step 24

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 25

Release the coil spring.

Step 26

Remove the spring.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 28

Remove the rubber spring spacer.

AUTODOC recommends:
Inspect the rubber mounts of the suspension spring. Replace if necessary.
Step 29

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Tip:
Inspect the rubber mounts of the suspension spring. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 30

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 31

Install the rubber spring spacer.

Step 32

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 33

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 34

Compress the spring.
Step 35

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 36

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use an adjustable wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 37

Decompress the spring.

Step 38

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut (3 pieces).

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 41

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #15. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 48 Nm torque.
Step 42

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 43

Close the hood.
Step 44

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 45

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 46

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 47

Install the fastening bolts. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 48

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 84 Nm torque.
Step 49

Install the brake hose bracket.
Step 50

Tighten the fastener that connects the brake hose bracket to the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 51

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.

Step 52

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use Torx T30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 58 Nm torque.
Step 53

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the stabiliser link. Use copper grease.

Step 54

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use ceramic grease.
Step 55

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 56

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – Dodge Caliber SRT4. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 57

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 58

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 135 nm torque.
Step 59

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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