Replace the front lower control arm bushings on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins diesel, requiring suspension disassembly and specialized bushing press tools.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm bushing kit (both front and rear bushings) × 2 — Moog K200836 or equivalent OEM 68237996AA

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and chock rear wheels
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support with jack stands under frame rails
4. Remove both front wheels
5. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15 minutes
6. Verify you have the correct bushing kit for front lower control arm (two bushings per arm)

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting to the lower control arm. Using an Allen key to hold the shaft, remove the lower sway bar link nut with a 21mm socket. Disconnect the link from the control arm and allow it to hang from the sway bar.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and nut
   Locate the lower ball joint stud where it connects to the steering knuckle. Remove and discard the cotter pin using cotter pin puller. Clean threads with wire brush. Using a 24mm socket, remove the ball joint castle nut. Do not remove the stud from the knuckle yet.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut119 Nm (88 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Thread the ball joint nut back onto the stud 2-3 turns to protect threads. Position ball joint separator between the control arm and steering knuckle. Strike the separator or use separator tool to break the taper loose. Once separated, remove the nut completely and lower the control arm away from the knuckle. Support the knuckle with a jack or wire to prevent damaging the brake hose.
   ⚠Do not strike the steering knuckle directly. Use proper ball joint separator tool to avoid damaging aluminum components.
4. 4

   Mark control arm position
   Before removing control arm bolts, use paint or marker to mark the orientation of the control arm relative to the frame mounts. This will aid in proper alignment during reinstallation. Note the position of any shims or adjustment hardware.
   ℹ️Proper alignment marks will help maintain front end alignment after bushing replacement.
5. 5

   Support control arm and remove mounting bolts
   Place a floor jack under the outer end of the control arm to support its weight. Using a 21mm socket and breaker bar, remove the front and rear control arm mounting bolts from the frame mounts. Note the orientation of the bolts (head vs nut side) for reassembly. Lower the jack slowly and remove the control arm from the vehicle.
   ⚠Control arm will drop suddenly when bolts are removed. Ensure jack is positioned to prevent injury.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Inspect control arm and clean mounting areas
   With control arm removed, inspect for cracks, bending, or other damage. Clean the bushing bores thoroughly with wire brush and solvent. Remove any rust, old rubber, or debris from the control arm bushing sleeves. Inspect ball joint for play or wear and replace if necessary.
   ℹ️If ball joint shows excessive wear or play, consider replacing the entire control arm assembly rather than just bushings.
7. 7

   Press out old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press and appropriately sized adapters from the bushing press kit, press out the old front and rear bushings from the control arm. Apply pressure evenly and slowly. The bushings are interference fit and will require substantial force to remove. Clean the bushing bores again after removal to ensure no rubber or metal debris remains.
   ⚠Ensure press adapters are properly aligned to avoid damaging the control arm. Apply pressure gradually and evenly.
8. 8

   Install new bushings
   Apply a light coat of dish soap or bushing lubricant to the outer sleeve of the new bushings (never use petroleum-based products). Align the bushing with the control arm bore, ensuring proper orientation if bushings are directional. Using the hydraulic press and proper adapters, press the new bushings into the control arm bores. Press until the bushing is fully seated and flush with the control arm housing on both sides.
   ⚠Verify bushing orientation before pressing. Some bushings have voids or splits that must align in a specific direction relative to load.
9. 9

   Reinstall control arm to frame
   Position the control arm back into the frame mounts, aligning with the marks made during disassembly. Support the control arm with a floor jack at normal ride height position. Insert the front and rear mounting bolts through the frame and control arm bushings. Thread bolts by hand initially. Do NOT torque these bolts yet - they must be torqued with vehicle weight on wheels.
   ⚠Do not fully tighten control arm bolts at this stage. Final torque must be applied at normal ride height to prevent bushing wind-up and premature failure.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect ball joint to knuckle
    Raise the control arm with a floor jack until the ball joint stud aligns with the hole in the steering knuckle. Insert the stud through the knuckle and thread on the castle nut. Torque the ball joint nut to specification using a 24mm socket and torque wrench. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud, bending the ends to secure.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut119 Nm (88 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Position the sway bar link into the lower control arm mounting hole. Thread on the nut while holding the shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire is touching the ground but not fully loaded. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Fully lower the vehicle so the suspension is at normal ride height with full vehicle weight on the wheels.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final torque control arm bolts
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and full weight on the wheels, crawl under the vehicle and torque the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification using a 21mm socket and torque wrench. This critical step prevents bushing wind-up and ensures proper bushing life.
    ⚠️Ensure vehicle is stable and secure on level ground before working underneath. Use wheel chocks.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1 through 13 for the opposite side front lower control arm. Both sides should be serviced to maintain balanced suspension characteristics and handling.

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification, especially control arm bolts at ride height
2. Confirm new cotter pins are installed and properly bent on both ball joints
3. Check that sway bar links are connected and secure on both sides
4. Verify no tools or parts were left in the wheel well or under vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any clunking or unusual noises from front suspension
• Perform visual inspection under vehicle to confirm no looseness in control arm bushings or ball joints
• Check steering wheel centering and vehicle tracking - schedule front end alignment immediately after bushing replacement
• Re-torque all suspension fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving
• A professional 4-wheel alignment is mandatory after this repair to ensure proper tire wear and handling

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