Dodge Dakota Front Shocks 4x4

Dodge Dakota Front Shocks 4x4 . This Dodge Dakota had a front shock that was leaking oil. The tires were wearing choppy and i believe the shocks were some to blame. The top shock bolt on the Dodge Dakotas normally break off when removing..On the 4x4 Dodge Dakota the bottom shock bolt is threaded in lower control arm. Always try and replace shocks in pairs .
wtbm123

[@rickygomez1195]

7 years later and still helping peopel with this quality video, much appreciated 🤙🤙

[@wtbm123]

Glad to hear it!

[@tappedinty8081]

Doing mine tomorrow!!!!

[@CamelotRecords]

This was fantastic. I really appreciate the fact that you considered the garage mechanic with limited tools when going through the options to get these shocks off. Also, You spoke clearly, and the video quality was great. Off I go to take a run at my friends Dakota. Thank you for taking the time to make this.

[@wtbm123]

Bobcat44273 Just be sure and get the bottom bolts tight and you should be ok. If you live in a rust area , be sure to use penetrating oil on bottom bolts for easy removal . Thanks for watching and commenting

[@leviface007]

Dang she was sticky! Can't wait to try mine (I'm from MN. Lotta rust over 20 years.)

[@wtbm123]

It would be so much easier if things did not rust

[@neavo8421]

Thanks for your video, I used it twice. The first time I had bought a 2000 dakota and I bought OEM shocks off of ebay - this video helped 100%. The second time: The OEM shocks I put on lasted about a week or so, and I just dealt with it till I could order in some more serious shocks which was about 3 months. Took about an hour for both sides the first time, and about half an hour for both sides the second time. This video told me everything I needed to know and what to expect. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@wtbm123]

Glad it helped , Thank you for stopping by and commenting

[@TimRicci68]

Just finished this today. I know you were trying to show it for the everyday guy who doesnt have a lot of tools. I used your vice grip trick on the shock and a air ratchet on the top and it came right off! Air gun on the bottom bolt came right out. Very easy install. Thanks for your tips!

[@wtbm123]

TimRicci68 Thank you for watching and commenting

[@ryanmagnum330]

thanks, it was very helpful..doing shocks tonite on my 99 Durango and this was the best video I could find.

[@wtbm123]

ryanmagnum330 Thank you for watching and commenting

[@thegodofwar94]

+ryanmagnum330 I got myself a 99 durango as well :D

[@neithertwosturrr3016]

Ayeee 4 years later and i look up the vid for my 99 as well 😂😂😂

[@edgarbarrera3871]

you just took away my fear on doing this for my work truck thank you great video

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@jamsessionrecordshop8872]

Good job!

[@wtbm123]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Clear and concise how to as always Terry. Great job.

[@wtbm123]

Thank You

[@SimpleLife1971]

A very well done video! I've changed more shocks on these Gen 2 Dakota's then I can shake a stick at. I like watching someone else's approach to see if there's anything I can add however this video is very complete. One tool I've used in the past is what I call a nut splitter. It actually locks onto the nut and forces a wedge into the flat area and eventually splitting it making it easy to remove.. These are safe and very easy to use. Again, a very well done video!

[@wtbm123]

Thank you very much , I do have one of those nut splitters . They do come in handy .

[@zzz7zzz9]

I could see mine were gonna be bears. Didn't even bother trying. Grabbed the cutting wheel and zipped the top nut and shaft clean off. Eezy-peezy. Had both shocks changed in minutes, and didn't even take my wheels off.

[@dillydallydale]

thank you for your vid. it has made it a lot easier for me to do my shocks.

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for stopping by

[@alphawolf2993]

bolt breaks off "oh no" you pull the shock down effortlessly "oh, okay" nice video

[@SlimCowboy]

Thanks for the video just used it to replace the front shocks on my 03 Dakota I ended up using a pair pliers to tighten down the vice grips to get them to grip

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for watching and commenting .

[@Xean45]

These kind of how to's really help us shade trees out. Thanks!!!

[@wtbm123]

Thank you for stopping in and commenting

[@RICHIE_RICH89]

Plan b would b a torch cutter for me.

[@wtbm123]

Yes

[@AmericanFarmerHVAC2024]

Well explained, thanks for a good video, best one out there on this. Should be an easy project

[@wtbm123]

Thank you

[@AmericanFarmerHVAC2024]

@@wtbm123 Was probably the easiest repair I've done in my life, half hour and it was done. Thanks again.

[@michaelangelodelpino9574]

Thank you, great advice and illustration...

[@georgesmith7402]

Excellent video, nice tutorial, very well done. thank you sir, it's been very helpful.

[@wtbm123]

+George Smith Thank you

[@RedCornStudios]

Thanks for the video. Nice to see an example where not everything goes perfect....cause it usually doesn't.

[@wtbm123]

If only some things could go perfect sometimes . lol

[@Scharpy1]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@wtbm123]

+Scharpy1 Thank you for watching and commenting

[@306blak]

Good video....just what I needed. Thanks.

[@wtbm123]

Gerld Wildman Thanks for watching and commenting

[@strokedfirebirdable]

That top nut is always a real pain. Good how to video.

[@wtbm123]

Yes it is Thanks for watching

[@snocrushr]

Another good descriptive vid.

[@wtbm123]

Thank You

[@RodderFiles]

Good video brotha ;)

[@wtbm123]

Thanks

[@masoncontreras4846]

greate video man! thanks for the advise!

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@sam6stringestrada31]

Like u said not everyone has all tool I give u 5 stars for pointing that out and your hard work

[@wtbm123]

Yea i try to do videos showing how to do it with tools most have or can get cheap . Thanks

[@Fcregulator]

Great tips and video.. thanks.

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for stopping by

[@FSAUDIOGUY]

Great work....TY!

[@thefalcon666]

Good video!

[@daverichardson2268]

Awesome video ! :)

[@eaglesdare123]

Good video. Thanks Much!

[@JoseChavez-xz4ny]

Great video

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting

[@dm9860]

Spray nut pb rust buster each day for 3 or 4 days, air impact wrench 1/2 second at a time will turn nut off.

[@wtbm123]

If one has time to wait . Kroil and FreeAll is good

[@toiletroll115]

Thanks my vise grips caught on the metal luckily and I used a very very good penitrating oil was a piece of cake took 10 minutes for one and about 3 for the other

[@GrantBerntsen]

Great video thank you!

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@jimmyh1817]

Good video. Seems whoever installed those old shocks did not obey the torque specs for the top nut. Way too tight.

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for stopping in , They were tight.

[@rawhite8264]

Thanks, very heplful

[@johnathanpatterson2847]

great video thanks

[@wtbm123]

+Johnathan Patterson Thanks for watching and commenting

[@RoadOfPeltz]

You actually don't even have to take the wheel off to do this. Just turn the wheel all the way to the right or left depending on which side you're doing. You can do them both in 20 minutes if you got electric tools

[@wtbm123]

Yes one could , but also harder to video. Thank you for stopping in and commenting

[@wayneturner6499]

Very helpful, thanks

[@wtbm123]

Glad it was of some help .

[@booteevids9083]

Good video Terry

[@wtbm123]

Thanks

[@slimjim3921]

Well explained. Thanks!

[@wtbm123]

+Justin S Thanks for watching and commenting

[@Buckswoodshop]

Good stuff

[@wtbm123]

Thanks

[@BillB]

Grind two flat spots where you're going to put the vice grips.

[@BengtRosini13]

Exactly what I was just thinking. It the old shock is garbage anyway, why not.

[@wickedslickpics]

Thanks buddy!!!!!!

[@zx8401ztv]

Smashing job :-)), im not supprised by the top nut snapping off, ive had similar situations where i just wanted the dam thing off and applied full force to snap it off, sometimes its just quicker lol. There is one problem, the new damper makes everything else look horrible ha ha :-)) I do enjoy your videos, no nonsense "get the job done" :-))

[@wtbm123]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@evelynnthao4620]

hahahahaah, loved it! good video, i like how @ 2:46... at this point ... *i was waiting to see what you were gonna do next.... then you said im just gonna torch that off! love it!

[@wtbm123]

+Evelynn Thao I usually try and do videos with tools every one may have at home , but sometimes the torch makes life so much easier , lol Thanks for watching and commenting

[@LUMLEY92]

thank you sir. The shop told me $700

[@Redhawk454casull]

Nice video, I'm sure you probably have one, but a nut splitter can be a real time saver.

[@wtbm123]

Lot of times i just split it with my air chisel . Thanks for watching.

[@heregoesmike]

The most valuable lesson at the beginning... Use an impact gun!!! They're old shocks anyways, so what does it matter? Th number one reason I always keep a drill & battery on hand :) Nice video though!

[@wtbm123]

+Hobie16Sailor Yea if one has a impact handy , but a lot of people do not have one . Most times i just torch them off , Thanks for watching and commenting

[@edit9514]

Thank you for making this video. Just bought a 2003 Dodge Dakota and had to have some items replaced. It has 165,000 miles on it but runs solid. While underneath the vehicle I noticed the shocks look like they been thru the moon and back. Handles find except for noises in the suspension when going over bumps in the road. Question bout time to change both front and rear shocks? If so what do you recommend? By the way is that a shitzu pup at the beginning of your video? Thank you for your time.

[@wtbm123]

pekingese. Any name brand shock should do well , any real cheap or no name ones i would stay away from

[@jean-michelb7290]

nice and easy. thanks

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@CHOPSHOPUNDERGROUND]

Cutting torch takes care of them top bolts easy.

[@wtbm123]

Air chisel does too, I stay away from fire . lol

[@dmitripetrov5536]

Will new front shocks help with stiffness of front torsionbars, especially when going through potholes?

[@wtbm123]

Shocks mostly dampen movement . Some shocks have better ability to do this

[@metalmanjakson01]

Thanks for the video. I'm guessing at 215,000 miles with the original shocks, I am going to snap the bolts off of my durango.

[@wtbm123]

metalmanjakson01 can soak them in penetrating oil or heat may help

[@thomaswarren9703]

thanks for the helpful video. I have an 03 durango. The bottom bolt snapped off of the front passenger shock. How do i compress the shock so i can reuse it once it is off? I have to find a way to get the bolt out too.(It's still bolted into the housing) I am disabled and tried to find a mechanic that could do the work on my vehicle, needs thermostat and lower radiator line replaced front and back rotor and brakes. when the hell did it start costing $450 to replace just front brakes and rotors and $450 for the rear plus the $200 to replace the thermostat and hoes to it from the radiator. And they want to charge almost double for the parts but won't use mine or won't warranty their own labor if they were to use my parts at a different shop. I live by the laziest,most expensive mechanics. Michigan

[@TimsComputerRepair]

Ooooo do struts next :)

[@wtbm123]

I have one on struts . Thanks for watching

[@TimsComputerRepair]

i saw it.... lovely

[@harleybynature]

So once you cut the top bolt off. . Does it always come out easy like that? Or did you have to beat on it?

[@TheEZGZ]

my 93 toyota had 193k showing and still had the original shocks. 3 of 4 broke. No telling how long they were bad. Tires were cupped bad. I put rancho gas shocks and they no longer chrome the shaft??? Now they have a black finish. New tires and shocks are nice. Brakes are next

[@wtbm123]

Seems everyone just makes things as cheap as they can any more

[@CountrySideClub]

My hands are busted up for just watching lol!! CJ

[@wtbm123]

LOL Thanks for watching CJ

[@petes.6609]

Are all coilover kits and shocks/stuts the same size whether it be a Dakota Sport V8 4×4 or the standard 06' Dakota SLT 4 dr 3.7L V6 4 1/2 ft short bed RWD which I have, is the installation the same? If the years are around the same does different sized motors and body's matter? Or do the bigger motor Dakotas have more beefier coilovers and control arms ball joints and everything else more beefier then my 2 wheel drive slt? I'd love to know I'd appreciate if you can lmk plz, thank you...

[@wtbm123]

Not sure , but 4x4 is most likely different

[@leepeterson5701]

Thanks for the helpful video. Would this be the same for a 2000 Durango?

[@wtbm123]

Would think it to be close

[@michaelberner6600]

Does the new shock come with new hardware like the bottom strut bolt? mine is non existent so I need a new one. What size is it? where could I get a new one?

[@wtbm123]

NO it does not come with one , but most parts stores should be able to get it

[@Cheator40]

Good how to Terry, don't much like them knuckle busters.

[@wtbm123]

Thanks

[@spencerjohnson1499]

Yea gotta love working on rigs atleast the nut broke and it worked out usually it breaks when you dont want it to heh.

[@wtbm123]

I agree , it usually breaks when not wanted . Hope you got it all fixed up ok , Thanks for watching and commenting

[@williamwallace6328]

I snapped the bottom bolt, it snapped halve way in the shock any ideas on how to get the bolt out? (Can't get the shock off)

[@andrewfry6328]

Love the video thanks. Same for 99 Durango?

[@wtbm123]

I think so , Thanks for watching and commenting

[@tannerking3096]

My bottom bolt snapped off. Same thing is going to happen to the other side

[@wtbm123]

Yea , soaking in a good penetrating oil helps , sometimes a impact or heat , but some just snap off . Drilling them out is not that much fun either . Thanks for stopping by

[@Cocora22]

I was kinda wondering why you dont use grease or anti seize or anything like that.

[@BengtRosini13]

He likes the more difficult approach.

[@hurstshiftin9873]

that dogs dicked lol I just bought a complete assembly should be easy as fuck.

[@TheMrRuger]

What kind of fuel milage do you get with the V6? I have the 4.7 magnum V8 and get around 22 mpg with my '01 Sport 4X4.

[@wtbm123]

It is a customers truck ,so I am not sure what they get. If you get 22 ,that is the best I have ever heard from one . Thanks for watching

[@cigarcaptain]

gravy

[@wtbm123]

Thanks

[@martinvelazquez959]

My current shocks on the Dodge Dakota 1996 lower boat has a washer but the new pair of half does not come with one does anybody know if the bottom washer is necessary or why mine didn't come with the lower washer

[@wtbm123]

There is usually a washer by the rubber bushing

[@adamkippenhan1]

my shock on the left side on my 01 is leaking a little oil when I drive about 75 on the interstate my wheel shakes

[@wtbm123]

Change the shock

[@paulmurphy9902]

you might be able to cut that with a grinder

[@jakefromstatefarm8583]

Does anyone know what size bolt is on the bottom mine broke off inside and I had to drill it out

[@wtbm123]

Sorry but i do not remember

[@dogbuggy32]

I like them wench rachets

[@wtbm123]

Me too. just cant break much loose or they start slipping or break

[@SILVERHORSE347]

Very shocking video

[@wtbm123]

Yep. lol

[@dirtycommtroop]

what size are the bolts on the shock?

[@pizza4prezident143]

Go out and test yourself lol

[@dirtycommtroop]

@@pizza4prezident143 holy shit this was 6 years ago. I replaced the shocks. Cranked the tbars and added bigger tires. Drove it for a year then gave it to my dad.

[@jakeh9805]

How can I take the bottom bolt out if it's snapped off at the head?

[@wtbm123]

drill . or try and cut with torch or something . Not easy to get in there to do it

[@Timetotinker]

less bounce now.........tony

[@wtbm123]

Sure is. Thanks for watching

[@AUDIO2AUTO]

I wish my strut arm was open like that : ( lol

[@wtbm123]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting

[@SubieSage]

god i hate suspension work. its all simple in theory but something ALWAYS goes wrong.