Oh okay. So it looks like you are just doing one side (driver). You will have to take the hood, fender, bumper, and center brace off.
Danny-
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Friday, July 27th, 2018 AT 3:11 PM
CORY2427
MEMBER
288 POSTS
Okay, any step by step instructions? I am doing driver side what mounts that piece and need instructions on lower radiator support to.
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Friday, July 27th, 2018 AT 3:13 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello again
Unfortunately, that is the only picture that I could find. There were no other step-by-step diagrams. Only other thing was bumper removal. I think you might have better luck with checking YouTube. I wll try looking elsewhere as well.
Danny-
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Friday, July 27th, 2018 AT 5:04 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
How do I go about changing struts and strut bushing out on lower control arm?
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Saturday, July 28th, 2018 AT 3:39 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello again.
I have attached a few pictures for you. If you do not have a ball joint/press removal/installation tool you will have to rent one for the lower control arm strut bushing replacement. If you are going to replace the strut cartridges and not the whole complete unit you will have to rent a strut spring compressor tool as well. Hope all this helps and let me know any more questions you have.
Danny-
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Saturday, July 28th, 2018 AT 4:02 PM
CORY2427
MEMBER
288 POSTS
Okay, so my plan was to replace the whole strut assembly and was wondering what all I have to take apart to do it and if I still need coil spring compressor any step by steps?
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Saturday, July 28th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello
If you are replacing the whole assembly you do not need the spring compressor as it installs as a complete unit. You will only need the spring compressor if you are just replacing the strut cartridge and re-using your old spring. I can look for a step-by-step if you are replacing the strut cartridge. If replacing entire unit it is just bolts in.
Danny-
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 12:23 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
What do you have to take apart to be able to get strut assembly out? And would the strut not still have pressure behind it? What do I need to torque bolts to on it?
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 3:25 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello again.
If you jack up the truck and put jack stands under the frame let the upper and lower control arms be free (unloaded) the struts will come out after being unbolted with nothing else having to be taken apart. The torque is 50 ft lbs for the upper strut nuts and 150 ft lbs for the lower. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 3:41 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
So I do not have to remove any sway bar links or take tie rod out or lower control arms out? Here is a picture:
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 3:55 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
Do I need a alignment after?
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 3:55 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
What about spindle and rotors so on they have to come out?
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 3:57 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
Here is bottom picture of strut bolt.
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 4:00 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello again.
No, nothing else has to come apart. You do not need an alignment after strut replacement. After unbolting you will be able to remove by just tilting sideways and bringing out towards you. Hope this helps.
Danny-
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 4:05 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
So everything stays bolted you said let upper and lower control arms be free. Do not have to mess with them either. Basically just unbolt strut wiggle some. How pull out? Does not look like I could pull towards me any or pull out will it drop or something when unbolt it.
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 4:16 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello
Yes, Just unbolt strut assembly and move it around enough to bring it out. Nothing else needs to be unbolted. It may take a few minutes but it will come out as a complete unit.
Danny-
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 4:51 PM
CORY2427
MEMBER
288 POSTS
I a little iffy about it what videos I watched shows on the 2006 Dakota having to take upper control arms off tie rod end has to be popped out and people using ratchet straps on spring because of so much tension. Sway bar links have to be off. Please insure me your way is right and will not get myself injured.
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Sunday, July 29th, 2018 AT 6:36 PM
CORY2427
MEMBER
288 POSTS
I also need information on how to do valve stem seals with out taking head off. There is a way to do it my buddy has done it before.
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Monday, July 30th, 2018 AT 3:15 PM
DANNY L
MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS
Hello again.
Were you able to get the struts out? As far as valve stem seals. We do not have a step-by-step tutorial for that. When I personally have done it you would first take valve cover off. Then do each cylinder one by one. Start by removing spark plug and make sure engine is rotated so the valve is closed. Using an air compressor use an adapter to run air into the cylinder spark plug hole at 100 PSI to keep valve in place (do not let drop into cylinder). When removing rocker arm mark and count how many turns to remove the rocker arm nut. Using a valve spring removal tool remove spring being careful to not lose valve keepers. Remove spring and then old seal. Install new seal and reassemble just as you took apart. Hope this helps.
Danny-
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Monday, July 30th, 2018 AT 4:04 PM
CORY2427
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288 POSTS
So I am not a hundred percent sure it is valve stem seals but it smokes during start up but not all the time it does burn oil but not much. Are there any additives or fluids or anything that could fix it before I go putting seals in it? It has only got 98,021 miles not much.