Dodge Caravan Rear shocks Replacement RUSTY MESS!! 2008-2020

How to replace the rear shocks on Dodge Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town and Country vans when they are totally rusted out and all the bolts break!

[@michaeldarling6336]

After replacing the battery, I took on this job next. I'm about to quit trying to work on my own car, and return all the great tools I bought. Is this how the rest of working on these vehicles is going to go, or did I stumble into working on the absolute hardest thing on the vehicle?

[@sabeebas6836]

I think this is hardest it can get. Good job. I did one today but not that bad. After seeing this video I got some patience for my next job

[@TheGaginator]

Haha yeah this was one of the worst I've seen

[@Darebear-hw9pw]

I had my bracket just break on the rear passenger side.im not sure how to weld,so I'm screwed.not sure how much a shop would charge in my area.but I need dit fixed

[@charleskopeika9217]

Nice job on the repair and the video. I had similar issue (pretty rusty) and did your repair exactly. One broken bolt on each side bracket to frame.

[@TheGaginator]

Thank you!

[@ron827]

If the bracket is welded to the frame, how does the next schmuck replace the shock?

[@TheGaginator]

I used proper grade hardware, so it should not break next time!! The can has 235k miles, i doubt it will last long enough to need shocks...

[@dustinbeach5735]

I have seen dodge vans get up to 600,000km or more

[@ron827]

@@dustinbeach5735 Not in the "rust belts". :-)

[@PaulDo22]

All of this snapping of bolts is only due to the mistaken idea that the nut behind the bracket is unreachable. The nut is very reachable. Just get an 18mm "S" wrench from Harbor Freight and get underneath the bracket with a light where you can see the nut to secure with the S wrench. Now place a metal rod of about 1 foot through the 17mm opposite end of the wrench, which will create a perpendicular handlebar so you can hold it steady before the next step. You'll need a second guy to loosen the bolt from above with a breaker bar or ratchet with cheater bar. Make sure to liberally apply rust penetrant and allows it to soak the bolt and nut. Also get the bolt to rotate a bit with an impact wrench before you apply the penetrant so it creates some space to work it in.

[@justinprzybycien5242]

Didn't know about that. Regardless, horrible design. Dodge also has some of the worst rust prevention I've ever seen.

[@TheGaginator]

reply

[@sunsetfamilythunderfamily8257]

Wow, you are the best! This is by far the most sensible and educated advice that I have read. You must be a very experienced Auto Mechanic. Thumbs up for you!

[@greggutierrez7760]

I found this video because I was getting ready to do the shocks on an 09 Grand Caravan and noticed the tight clearance. I tried taking the shock tower off the frame but those bolts were pretty stuck (like the topic of this video). I saw your comment and... shazam, a trip to Harbor Freight 24 hour soak with PB Blaster, and everything worked out fabulous. Shock bolts came right out. I have been a mechanic for 45 years. I was always curious what S-wrenches were for. Now I own a set and can say they're a life saver... and so are you. PRO tip for sure THX$$.

[@House_Stark]

Just did this on our VW Routan(basically same minvan rebadged). Why on Earth wouldn't they have a threaded nut mounted(pressed in) on that top plate in back so you don't have to put a wrench on it?

[@TheGaginator]

SO DUMB!!!

[@wesleystanden2574]

What year van is in the video? I’ve got a 2011 “grand” caravan that sounds like the rear end is going to fall off while driving, im hoping it’s just the shocks.

[@TheGaginator]

2008, all the vans after 2007 will be the same as yours as far as rear suspension with coil springs

[@blakeshowalter]

Terrifying video for a DIY home mechanic!

[@TheGaginator]

haha 100%

[@thetone4440]

But why would you weld it?

[@haoulani]

Hi why would you remove the bracket if you could put the nut back after welding it in place ?

[@TheGaginator]

I needed to clean all the surfaces so i could get a proper weld. Also the bracket has to come off when the top shock bolt breaks

[@yarianespinosa8173]

hello, I have a question, I want to put springs and rear shock absorbers on my 2010 caravan but from the 2015 model, the models are the same but my mechanic says they are different, is that true? or are all the pieces the same?

[@TheGaginator]

Some of the vans have heavy duty rear springs

[@dustinbeach5735]

They are the same unless you have the heavy duty shocks in yours

[@jzeerod]

did you explode when you did the other side and this is why you only posted the easy peasy side? my idea is to weld the bolts to the topside shock mount. grind, rust inhibitor and paint everywhere while its all exposed, then grind back to expose the portion where the weld has to stick.

[@TheGaginator]

Haha, I did the other side FIRST. It was quite a bit worse than the passenger side. Good idea on the action plan you listed ^ I honestly dont care how long this lasts haha. If any of this breaks, I'll use this van in my next gambler 500 race and send it to the moon.

[@jzeerod]

@@TheGaginator hey bud, i have watched videos of folks welding on to the snapped bolt, i would think this would work because in this case your turning them up and out, pretty much fresh bolt turned up, no crud. my question is, 1-think this will work here as it is "fresh clean bolt", weld the bottom end then simply turn it through up forward, until it pops out the top? 2- perhaps center drilling the existing broken bolt end at the bottom so we get penetration of the two materials? i did three centers and the fourth attempt its off center. the other side with the gas tank, pretty sure i can repeat the process. except this time go 4 for 4 for centers :) my welds suck. this is another problem in itself. thanks for the reply.

[@46fd04]

None of my bolts broke. I used penetrating oil & a long breaker bar. Now I have to do the rear springs. My van is sagging low. Almost 3 inches lower than other vans. And, MOPAR has discontinued the coil springs. Available after market only

[@TheGaginator]

Thats great that your bolts came out!! You can use springs from a Routan to raise the rear. Moog 81630 is the part number. These make the vans ride much better

[@michaeldarling6336]

Youuuuuuu.... Suck! 😛 I used many rounds of penetrating oil and a long breaker bar. The 2 that came out in this video came out fine for me, and the 2 that snapped for him started coming out a bit then snapped.🤪

[@Gerald-sc8yy]

Remove the top bracket the shock mounts to then remove the shock from it. Makes it easy

[@chrishayes5755]

my bolts were rusted and stuck. impact and pb blaster couldn't take them off. bought a dcf900 and it has so much power, blew threw them, got them off instantly.

[@TheGaginator]

The half inch impact is a game changer!

[@Коронкибиметаллическиеобзорбол]

What is the dimensions of the shocks bolts and nuts?

[@TheGaginator]

I do not remember

[@jmack619]

why are there no wheel well liners on these vehicles? It's like they want it to turn into a rusty mess.

[@robbbenedict]

There is a liner, but it's designed to trap dirt between the liner and the body.

[@the_truck_farmer]

Great point! The lack of proper wheel liner also contributes to the high failure rate of the rear air conditioning lines… They get all corroded and leak… That’s another fun job.

[@jmack619]

@@the_truck_farmer they all could be rubberized or plated, or stainless. We should be demanding more. Lost à few great cars due to rust.

[@TheGaginator]

Pretty dumb....

[@lugisland]

Heat is your friend. Those bolts have factory thread locker on them...

[@TheGaginator]

Wouldn't help on these. I promise.

[@Darebear-hw9pw]

What do you do to get bolts out without breaking them and what will a job like this cost at the shop

[@easternshoreblinds9477]

You can use a stubby 18mm wrench instead of removing the bracket. Fyi

[@TheGaginator]

The issues is that the bolt breaks, but yes, you can get a wrench on the rear. That's how you tighten the new one

[@sunsetfamilythunderfamily8257]

You should never use an Impact Gun, in particular to a situation where you strongly suspect that it is rusty. I bet you, if you did try it manually, with a long bar first to break the tightness, and then used your impact Gun, you would have taken out the bolt much easier, and have avoided the grief. Nonetheless, we all learn from our mistakes, and I am pretty sure that you have too!

[@TheGaginator]

No way man, That's why I made this video. I have done a bunch of these, and they always break. That's the entire reason I made the video. in many cases you are correct

[@sunsetfamilythunderfamily8257]

@@TheGaginator Believe it or not, if you used an impact gun on Dodge Vehicles the risk of breaking the bolt is nearly 100 %. It happened to me too, but I learned my lessons!

[@sunsetfamilythunderfamily8257]

The rule of thumb of using an impact gun, in my view, is to use it in pulsation to apply torque in small increments, not in full blow, which can blow the bolt away. In addition, if possible, leave the bolts to be removed sprayed well with rust remover spray, and leave it for about an hour, before attempting to work on it. This is just a general advice to the general audience, not to you specifically; because I can tell that you are an experienced person in fixing cars, though you haven't learned from your mistakes (No offense), "That's why I made this video. I have done a bunch of these, and they always break".

[@arnaudtrussart183]

For the bracket, I only used a bar and socket (no impact) and broke all 4. Maybe I should have let them soak longer with penetrating fluid. Anywho, ended up drilling out the broken bolts and tapping. M10 1.5. Haven't done the other side yet, but thinking of simply using an angle grinder to cut the top of the shock off and then the bolt. This avoids having to remove the upper bracket at all.

[@sunsetfamilythunderfamily8257]

@@arnaudtrussart183 I myself broke two bolts, even after braking the tension manually and then using an impact gun. So, the bottom line here is that it is best not to use an impact gun at all.

[@greggutierrez7760]

Uhhh, isn't that the fuel tank right where you're welding? Just a little dangerous! KaBooommm up goes he house. Lots of penetrating oil and hand tools so you can feel the resistance and not break the bolts. Just a little patience and some elbow grease wins the day on rusty fasteners.

[@TheGaginator]

The fuel tank is actually up in the front, this is a stow n go van

[@charlessanders1342]

Mine is 8 yrs old absolutely no rust on the under carriage.

[@TheGaginator]

Nice!

[@c.brooke5490]

@@TheGaginator I wish I lived in Arizona too !

[@c.brooke5490]

Why not just cut the bolts, top and bottom, and be done with it. Pull out the shock and knock out the remaining end of the bolts.

[@TheGaginator]

Could definitely do that too

[@sniperammow4865]

Why are these cars so trash, my 06 civic that I winter drive (in Canada) had way less rust.

[@TheGaginator]

Dodge is cheap, they use cheap material like kia and hyundai

[@sniperammow4865]

@@TheGaginator bruh my Kia Sedona has exactly zero rusty spots on it when I sold it, I used very expensive rust proofing tho.

[@godfrey_of_america]

So basically I can't do this without an impact wrench.

[@TheGaginator]

Likely

[@dustinbeach5735]

You can do it without a impact I did it no problem with no broken bolts