You can fix either the shock absorber or spring in Dakota models by itself, but you need a professional repair shop to take them apart, making the work more expensive. Start by loosening the front wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle using a jack, and position it safely on jacks before you can take off the front wheels. Drop a floor jack under the
Control Arm to keep it in place, then remove the bolts that attach the shock upper end to the frame. Unbolt the stabilizer link from the lower control arm. Then take off the mounting bolts between the shock absorber and lower control arm. And finally extract the shock absorber. When inspecting the shock absorber, look for fluids seeping out, flat spots, broken spots, and other trouble signs. Check the coil spring for signs of cracking or broken pieces and make sure the spring seats both work well and remain unchanged over time. If anything looks worn or broken, professionals must fix it. Start by undoing your work, following the same steps in reverse, and tighten everything to correct torque settings. Keep the bolt heads of lower shock fasteners turned toward the back of the car during installation. You should tighten the lower bolts while the vehicle is at standard height. You can do this after you lower it or you can fix the height by lifting the car with a floor jack in the lower control arm area. When done, fasten the wheel nuts to their suggested tension level.