[blackhemicharger]

I need to replace my front shocks/struts on my 06 RT R&T. I have the nivomat rear suspension so does that matter when replacing the fronts. I wouldn't be opposed to doing a 4 wheel suspension kit if it didn't really lower it. I have 129,000 miles on the car and I have had the car since 63,000. No suspension parts have been changed during my ownership. I will be replacing ball joints and tie rods as well and would want to do it all at one shot. I have been looking online and found the KYB Excel-G, didn't know if these were junk or not. I have to replace soon as my car is really clunking bad and after inspecting today I noticed the bushing where the shock/strut attaches by the wheel is about gone. Is that a separate part as well? Any suggestions on these parts would be great. I plan on moog for the ball joints and tie rods. I just want to make sure I find the right shock/strut for the car. It's a little crappy looking online at the big box retailers and trying to figure out which ones are correct

 

[blackhemicharger]

Also should I just replace my strut mounts since I will have the shocks out anyway?

 

[drsvelte]

I have the nivomat rear suspension so does that matter when replacing the fronts.

No.

 

[blackhemicharger]

What about vehicle specific bushings for where the shock bolts by the wheel? Or are they all just universal?

 

[WideBlueEyes]

The lower strut mount bushing will come with the shock and there all the same as far as I know. I replaced mine KYB Excels and they worked great out of the box.


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[blackhemicharger]

That's probably what j will go with then, the shocks have been making noise for a while but just started clunking, I pulled the driver front wheel off and you can see at least 50% of the bushing is no longer there

 

[WideBlueEyes]

I would just beware that you may have another issue if your hearing a clunk while going over small bumps or after letting off the brake and accelerating.

That is more likely to be LCA (strut tensioner) or UCA (upper control arm) noise. It could also be sway bar end links. I replaced struts and springs all the way around, UCAs, LCAs, sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, and rotors and pads all the way around to get my clunk to go away. All the steering and suspension components were 110% shot at 130k miles.


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[blackhemicharger]

Yeah I figured I would be doing some suspension work as well, looks like ball joints and tie rid ends are shot, figured I would replace as much as possible while I have it apart

 

[WideBlueEyes]

Yeah that was my train of thought also. I would honestly look into the sway bar end links at least. There cheap and easy to do.


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[neuroticdave]

As everyone else has stated, definitely going to have to take care of a few other parts up there. If you have to take a few things apart to replace the shocks, might as well replace other things you're removing as you go. It is a good way to future proof the car, and save time and money on the installation later. I'm doing my front shocks soon as well, but I think I might do front and rear all at once just for the sake of having all 4 corners new at the same time. Someone on here recommended me a Mopar kit that's ~$500, may be worth a look! :big thumb:

Link: http://www.moparonlineperformance.com/product-p/p5155435ab_charger.htm

 

[blackhemicharger]

It looks good, says for 2008-2010 though, wonder if it will work for an 06, and I have the nivomats

 

[neuroticdave]

It looks good, says for 2008-2010 though, wonder if it will work for an 06, and I have the nivomats

I recall after reading a few (million) threads and posts on them that they do work for previous model years. Some got them in just fine, others required a new part up front, I can't recall which though. Not sure about the NIVOMATs, I'm sure someone else can chime in on that part. But looks to be a good bang for the buck, very close to SRT8 feel and handling from what I've read.

 

[WideBlueEyes]

If you are changeinv the rear shocks then it dosnt matter if you have nivomats now or not. They mount the same, the load leveling shocks are a lot more expensive.

You can replace them with standard shocks if your looking to lower the car. If you don't change the shock but install lowering springs anyways, you will eventually wear the shocks out.


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[blackhemicharger]

I don't really want to lower the car any, what would happen if I replaced the back nivomats with standard ones like are in the online kits?

 

[WideBlueEyes]

Nothing would happen, you wouldn't have the load leveling. I think a good set of normal shocks are better anyway.


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[WideBlueEyes]

I would honestly think about spending that money on changing out the rest of your front suspension parts dude.

Il post the part numbers for you to make it easier and so you see prices. I really don't think your clunk is coming from the shocks.

Here's a diagram of the parts.

Here's the key.

Pretty sure most of those parts are good for 2005-2009.



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[WideBlueEyes]

These are the prices on Rock Auto for the Upper and Lower Control arms. Summits prices were the same or cheaper plus I got free shipping and a free hat.

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[blackhemicharger]

I will have to check Summit too,Rock auto was definitely cheaper than AutoZone and stuff, but if summit is at least close to the same I would rather order from them because you get their stuff faster

 

[WideBlueEyes]

Yeah I got all my stuff from summit except my shocks/struts and driver side upper control arm. Summit was on back order on those.

Got everything I'm under 5 days.


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[blackhemicharger]

Great info, thanks