Coil Spring - Rear

This procedure covers removal and replacement of rear coil springs on a 1994-2007 Dodge Ram 2500 with 5.9L Cummins diesel engine and 4WD, requiring suspension disassembly and proper spring compression techniques.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification or heavy-duty aftermarket
• Spring isolator pads (upper and lower) × 2 — Replace if damaged or deteriorated

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, stable concrete surface. Set parking brake and chock front wheels securely.
2. If applicable, spray all rear suspension bolts with penetrating oil and allow to soak (ideally 24 hours before work).
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at rear axle center, then support frame rails with heavy-duty jack stands. Vehicle must be high enough to allow axle to droop fully.
5. Remove rear wheels completely.
6. Visually inspect both rear springs, shock absorbers, and suspension components for damage, corrosion, or wear.

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle housing on the side where you are replacing the spring. Raise jack just enough to make slight contact but not to lift the axle. The axle must be able to droop downward but should be supported to prevent sudden dropping. This is critical for controlled spring removal.
2. 2

   Disconnect rear shock absorber lower mount
   Locate the lower shock absorber mounting bolt at the axle bracket. Using a breaker bar and socket, remove the lower shock mounting bolt. Guide the shock absorber upward and secure it out of the way with wire or a bungee cord to prevent interference during spring removal. Note: some models may have the shock mount inside the coil spring.
3. 3

   Lower axle to relieve spring tension
   Slowly and carefully lower the floor jack supporting the axle. The axle will droop downward as the spring extends. On this rear solid-axle coil design the spring normally becomes loose at full droop without a spring compressor. Lower until the coil spring is completely unloaded and loose between the upper spring seat (on frame) and lower spring seat (on axle). If spring does not become loose, do not use a compressor to force it; check the track bar, control arms, and brake line for binding. Do NOT force the spring out while under tension.
   ⚠️Lower the axle very slowly and maintain control. If spring is still under tension or binds, STOP and identify the cause before proceeding.
4. 4

   Remove coil spring
   With spring fully unloaded, carefully remove the coil spring from between the frame and axle mounts. It may be necessary to rotate or angle the spring to clear the axle and frame brackets. Remove and inspect upper and lower spring isolator pads (rubber cushions). These should be replaced if cracked, deteriorated, or compressed.
5. 5

   Inspect spring seats and clean mounting surfaces
   Thoroughly inspect upper (frame-mounted) and lower (axle-mounted) spring seats for rust, damage, or deformation. Use a wire brush to clean both spring seats, removing all rust, dirt, and debris. Any significant corrosion or damage to spring seats must be repaired before installing new spring. Check that spring seat mounting bolts are tight if applicable.
6. 6

   Install spring isolator pads on new spring
   Place new or reusable isolator pads on the top and bottom ends of the new coil spring. The isolators should seat properly in the spring end coils. These rubber pads prevent metal-to-metal contact and noise. Verify isolators are positioned correctly before installation.
7. 7

   Position new coil spring
   Carefully position the new coil spring between the upper frame spring seat and lower axle spring seat. Ensure the spring end with isolator is properly seated in the lower axle pocket first, then angle the top into position under the frame mount. Verify the spring coil ends are properly indexed in both seats (some springs have specific orientation - check for paint marks or tabs).
   ⚠Some coil springs have directional orientation or specific positioning for the coil ends. Check manufacturer markings before installation.
8. 8

   Raise axle to load spring
   Using the floor jack, slowly raise the rear axle. As you raise, guide the coil spring to ensure it remains properly seated in both upper and lower spring seats. Continue raising until the axle reaches approximately normal ride height. The spring should be fully compressed and seated with no gaps. Do not fully load the suspension yet.
9. 9

   Reconnect shock absorber lower mount
   With axle at approximately normal height, align the shock absorber lower mount with the axle bracket. Insert the lower shock mounting bolt and tighten securely. Note: Torque the lower shock bolt to the manufacturer's published specification (approximately 65 ft-lbs for the rear lower shock retaining nut on third-gen Ram 2500 per FSM). Verify the exact value before final tightening.
10. 10

    Verify spring installation and suspension travel
    With jack still supporting axle, visually verify the spring is fully seated top and bottom with isolators properly positioned. Carefully raise and lower the jack slightly to verify spring remains seated through suspension travel. Check that no brake lines, wiring, or other components are pinched or interfering with spring movement.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheel and thread lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in star pattern with hand tools only (do not torque yet). Carefully remove jack stands and lower vehicle until weight is fully on wheels but vehicle is still raised slightly for final torquing access if needed.
12. 12

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    With vehicle weight on wheels, torque wheel lug nuts to specification in proper star pattern: tighten opposite nuts in sequence, making multiple passes to reach final torque gradually. This ensures even seating of wheel against hub.

Reassembly

1. If you replaced only one spring, strongly consider replacing the opposite side spring as well to maintain balanced ride height and handling.
2. Any control arm bushings, sway bar links, or other suspension components that appeared worn during inspection should be scheduled for replacement.
3. Verify all suspension fasteners were properly torqued and no tools or parts were left in the work area.

Verification

• Before test drive, bounce each rear corner of the truck several times to settle the suspension and verify spring is seated properly with no unusual noises.
• Visually inspect spring installation from multiple angles to confirm proper seating in both upper and lower mounts.
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area, checking for unusual noises, vibrations, or handling problems. Spring should compress and rebound smoothly over bumps.
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check wheel lug nut torque and visually inspect spring position.
• If vehicle leans to one side or ride height appears uneven, springs may need adjustment or opposite side may require replacement.
• Have alignment checked if handling feels abnormal, though coil spring replacement alone typically does not affect alignment.

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