Rear Shocks - Pair

Replace both rear shock absorbers on a 1994-2007 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD with 5.9L Cummins diesel engine to restore ride quality and handling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber × 2 — Heavy-duty shock rated for 3/4-ton pickup
• Upper shock mounting hardware kit × 2 — May be included with shocks

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. If shock bolts appear rusty, spray upper and lower mounting bolts with penetrating oil and allow 15-30 minutes to soak
4. Verify replacement shocks match OEM specifications for this heavy-duty application

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support rear of vehicle
   Loosen but do not remove the rear wheel lug nuts. Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the rear axle differential housing. Lift until rear wheels are off the ground. Place jack stands under the frame rails just forward of the rear axle. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. The rear axle will hang down on the suspension, providing access to the shock absorbers; support the axle with a jack before removing shocks to avoid overextension.
2. 2

   Remove rear wheels
   Remove the lug nuts completely and remove both rear wheels. This provides better access to the shock absorbers and allows visual inspection of the rear suspension components.
3. 3

   Support rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle near the shock being replaced, but do not lift. This prevents the axle from dropping too far when the shock is removed and makes installation easier. The axle should remain hanging with suspension at full droop.
4. 4

   Remove upper shock mounting bolt - driver side
   Locate the upper shock mounting point where the shock attaches to the frame rail. This may be a through-bolt or a stud-and-nut design. Verify the fastener size before selecting your socket/wrench, then remove the upper fastener. Support the shock by hand as you remove it.
5. 5

   Remove lower shock mounting bolt - driver side
   Locate the lower shock mounting bolt where the shock attaches to the rear axle bracket. Using an 18mm socket and ratchet on the bolt head and an 18mm wrench on the nut, remove the lower mounting bolt. Remove the driver side shock absorber from the vehicle. Inspect mounting bushings and hardware for wear or damage.
6. 6

   Install new driver side shock
   Position the new shock absorber between the upper frame mount and lower axle mount. Insert the upper mounting bolt through the frame bracket and shock eye. Thread the nut on by hand. Insert the lower mounting bolt through the axle bracket and shock eye, threading the nut on by hand. Do not fully tighten yet. Ensure shock is oriented correctly with any manufacturer markings or part numbers readable.
7. 7

   Remove and replace passenger side shock
   Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the passenger side shock absorber. Remove upper 18mm mounting bolt, then lower 18mm mounting bolt. Remove old shock. Install new passenger side shock by inserting upper bolt first, then lower bolt. Thread nuts on by hand. Do not fully tighten yet.
8. 8

   Torque shock mounting bolts
   Using a torque wrench, torque the shock mounting fasteners to the manufacturer's specification. Note that upper and lower mounts often have different specs. Consult the factory service manual for exact values rather than applying a single generic figure to all four fasteners. Hold the nut with an 18mm wrench while torquing the bolt head. Verify all hardware is tight.
9. 9

   Reinstall rear wheels
   Install both rear wheels onto the hubs. Thread all lug nuts on by hand to ensure proper seating. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a hand wrench until snug, but do not torque yet.
10. 10

    Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
    Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to remove weight from jack stands. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle completely to the ground. Using a torque wrench and 21mm socket, torque all wheel lug nuts to 183 Nm (135 lb-ft) in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all mounting hardware is properly torqued
2. Remove wheel chocks and tools from work area
3. Dispose of old shock absorbers according to local regulations

Verification

• Visually inspect both shock absorbers to ensure they are mounted securely with no loose hardware
• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle firmly. The suspension should rebound once and settle without continued oscillation
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed over small bumps to verify proper shock operation and listen for any unusual noises
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check all shock mounting bolt torque to ensure nothing has loosened

More procedures for this vehicle