Dodge Dakota 3.7L Repair Information

Dodge Dakota 3.7L Rear End Repair Information

Here you can find information regarding repairs to the Dodge Dakota rear end system. These repairs include the rear control arms installation, the rear swaybar information and bolt torque specs, the rear diff fluid change procedures, and the rear end watts system installation. All of these repairs and procedures include in depth details on how to perform the replacement and or repair. They also contain all the detailed torque specs needed for each bolt involved in the repair.

Rear Leaf Spring Installation

The rear suspension of the Dodge Dakota consists of leaf springs and shock absorbers. The leaf springs are held together using a series of mounts and shackles. To start off the springs get held to the rear axle through the use of giant u bolts. These U-bolts contain nuts on the bottom of them that must be torqued down to 110 ft-lbs. I always use some loctite on these nuts as if they come off your entire rear end will come loose. Besides the U-bolts the rear suspension has a series of mounts that connect the leaf springs themselves to the vehicles frame. The leaf spring mounting nut gets tightened down to 120 ft-lbs. The shackle nuts get tightened down to 120 ft-lbs and the hanger bolts tighten to 35 ft-lbs. The center spring holder pin can be torqued down to 30 ft-lbs. This ensures that the leaf springs all stay stacked together.

Dodge Dakota Rear Axle U-Bolts Torque Specs : 110 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Leaf Spring Mounting Nut Torque Spec : 120 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Shackle Nuts Torque Spec : 120 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Spring Hanger Bolt Torque Spec : 35 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Leaf Spring Center Pin Torque Spec : 30 ft-lbs

 

Rear Differential Torque Specs

On the Dodge Dakota the rear end ring gear bolts get tightened down to 115 ft-lbs. The rear carrier bearing caps can be tightened down to 100 ft-lbs. The rear differential backing plate to the differential get tightened down to 30 ft-lbs. Be sure to use some silicon sealant around the cover to ensure that the rear end fluid does not leak out.

Dodge Dakota Rear End Ring Gear Torque Specs : 115 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Rear Carrier Bearing Caps Torque Specs : 100 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Rear Diff Backing Plate Torque Specs : 30 ft-lbs

 

Rear Shocks Installation

To replace the rear shocks on a Dodge Dakota you will need to remove two sets of bolts/nuts located at the bottom and top of the shock. Both of these fasteners can be accessed from underneath the vehicle by jacking it up and removing the wheel. To uninstall the old shock simply just remove both of the fasteners and the part will come out. When installing the new part reverse the procedure and tighten up both bolts to 70 ft-lbs.

Dodge Dakota Rear Shock Upper Bolt Torque Specs : 70 ft-lbs

Dodge Dakota Rear Shock Lower Bolt Torque Specs : 70 ft-lbs

 

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Rear Leaf Spring Torque Specs
Rear Axle U-Bolts Torque Spec	110 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Mounting Nut Torque Spec	120 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Shackle Nut Torque Spec	120 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Hanger Bolts Torque Spec	35 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Center Pin Torque Spec	30 ft-lbs
Rear Differential / Axle Torque Specs
Rear End Ring Gear with E-locker Torque Spec	115 ft-lbs
Rear Carrier Bearing Cap Torque Spec	100 ft-lbs
Rear Axle Backing Plate Torque Spec	30 ft-lbs
Rear Shock Torque Specs
Rear Shock Upper Bolt Torque Spec	70 ft-lbs
Rear Shock Lower Bolt Torque Spec	70 ft-lbs