How to Replace the Front Shocks on a Jeep Cherokee
by Jody L. CampbellThe front shocks on a Jeep Cherokee take on a lot of responsibility in the front suspension. While the coil springs share the load of the engine, you can optimize the performance of your ride by replacing the front shocks every 30,000 miles or so. Many quality shocks come with a lifetime warranty and if you replace them yourself, there will be no future labor charges.
Step 1
Park the Cherokee on a flat paved or concrete surface. Apply the parking brake and release the hood latch.
Step 2
Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.
Step 3
Locate and remove the nut, washer and bushing from the upper shock studs (both sides) in the engine compartment using the ratchet, extension and socket.
Step 4
Raise the front axle of the Cherokee with the floor jack and place the jack stand under the axle tube. Repeat for the other side to elevate the entire front suspension.
Step 5
Put on the safety glasses and crawl under one side of the Jeep (on a creeper if you have one) and bring the ratchet and sockets with you.
Step 6
Remove the lower nuts on the shock mounting axle bracket using the ratchet and a socket.
Step 7
Remove the old shock.
Step 8
Insert the new shock (with new lower washer and lower bushing installed on shock stud) into the shock tower being sure to get the upper shock stud through the engine compartment hole.
Step 9
Replace the lower nuts to support the new shock to the shock mounting axle bracket and tighten.
Step 10
Repeat Steps 6 through 9 on the other shock.
Step 11
Collect all the tools and old shocks and lower the Jeep Cherokee.
Step 12
Place the new bushing, washer and upper shock nut to the shock stud in the engine compartment and tighten on both sides.
Step 13
Close the hood, remove the wheel chock, release the parking brake.
Things You'll Need
- 3/8 inch drive ratchet
- 3/8 inch drive 12-inch extension
- 3/8 inch drive socket set
- Floor jack
- Jack stands (2)
- Wheel chock
- Safety glasses
- Creeper (optional)
Writer Bio
Jody L. Campbell spent over 15 years as both a manager and an under-car specialist in the automotive repair industry. Prior to that, he managed two different restaurants for over 15 years. Campbell began his professional writing career in 2004 with the publication of his first book.
