Replace worn rear control arm bushings on a 2014 Ram 2500 4WD with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine to restore proper suspension geometry and reduce noise.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear control arm bushing kit (left and right) × 2 — Moog K201683 or equivalent OEM
• Cotter pins for ball joint nuts × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support on jack stands positioned under frame rails
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Spray all control arm mounting bolts and ball joint nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes
7. Inspect control arms for damage or excessive corrosion that would require full arm replacement

Procedure

1. 1

   Support rear axle assembly
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle differential housing with a block of wood to protect the housing. Raise jack until it just contacts and slightly supports the axle weight, but does not lift the vehicle off jack stands. This prevents the axle from dropping when control arm is disconnected.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link if obstructing access
   If the sway bar link interferes with control arm removal, hold the shaft with an Allen key and remove the lower sway bar link nut using appropriate socket. Swing sway bar link out of the way. Note orientation for reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and nut
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Using a 15mm socket, remove the ball joint nut completely. Keep nut for reference but discard old cotter pin.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut119 Nm (88 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Install a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork between the control arm and knuckle at the ball joint taper. Strike the tool firmly with a hammer or use a screw-type separator to break the taper fit. Once separated, support the control arm to prevent sudden drop.
   ⚠Pickle fork tools will damage the ball joint boot. Use only if replacing the ball joint or if ball joint is integrated into control arm.
5. 5

   Mark control arm orientation
   Before removing control arm mounting bolts, mark the relationship between the control arm and frame mounting points using paint marker or chalk. This ensures proper alignment during reinstallation and maintains suspension geometry.
6. 6

   Remove control arm frame mounting bolts
   Using an 18mm socket and breaker bar, remove both control arm mounting bolts (front and rear) that secure the arm to the frame brackets. Note the orientation and position of any washers or spacers. Carefully lower and remove the control arm from the vehicle.
   ℹ️Some control arms have cam bolts for alignment adjustment. Mark cam position before removal if present.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove old bushings from control arm
   Secure the control arm in a vise or press fixture. Using a hydraulic press with appropriate sized bushing removal adapters, press out the old bushings from both mounting points of the control arm. Note the orientation of any offset or directional bushings. Clean all bushing bore surfaces with a wire brush and solvent.
   ⚠Ensure control arm is properly supported in press to prevent arm distortion or personal injury.
8. 8

   Install new bushings
   Apply a light coat of dish soap or bushing lubricant (not petroleum-based grease) to the outer diameter of new bushings and inner bore of control arm. Position bushing in correct orientation (note any offset or voids must align per manufacturer specs). Using hydraulic press with proper sized installation adapters, press new bushings straight into control arm bores until fully seated and flush with arm surface.
   ⚠Press on bushing outer shell only, never on inner sleeve. Pressing on inner sleeve will damage bushing.
9. 9

   Reinstall control arm to frame
   Position control arm back into frame mounting brackets, aligning with marks made during removal. Insert both frame mounting bolts with any washers or spacers in original orientation. Thread bolts by hand first to ensure proper alignment. Snug bolts with a wrench but DO NOT torque at this time - final torque must be done with vehicle weight on suspension.
   ℹ️Control arm bolts are left loose intentionally at this stage.
10. 10

    Reconnect ball joint to knuckle
    Raise the control arm ball joint stud into the knuckle taper hole. Install the ball joint castle nut and tighten to specification using torque wrench. Align castle nut slots with ball joint stud hole (tighten further if needed, never loosen). Install new cotter pin through castle nut and stud, then bend ends to secure.
    Torque spec

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

    Reconnect sway bar link if removed
    If sway bar link was removed, reconnect it to the mounting point. Hold the shaft with Allen key and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

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

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install wheel onto hub and thread lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in star pattern with hand tools. Carefully lower vehicle until full weight is on suspension but vehicle is still supported enough to safely access underside. Remove floor jack from under axle.
13. 13

    Torque control arm bolts with vehicle weight on suspension
    With vehicle weight now on the suspension (tires on ground or nearly on ground), torque both control arm frame mounting bolts to specification. This is critical - torquing with suspension hanging will preload bushings incorrectly and cause premature failure. Use torque wrench and verify both bolts reach proper specification.
    ⚠This step is critical for bushing longevity. Bushings torqued with suspension hanging will fail prematurely.
    Torque spec

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

    Complete wheel installation
    Fully lower vehicle to ground and remove jack stands. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in star pattern using torque wrench. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if needed.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all cotter pins are properly installed and bent to prevent castle nut loosening
2. Verify all suspension fasteners are torqued to specification
3. Confirm no tools or parts were left under vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises from rear suspension
• Check for proper handling and that vehicle tracks straight
• After 50-100 miles, re-check torque on control arm bolts and ball joint nuts
• Have vehicle alignment checked by a professional alignment shop - new bushings will affect toe and camber settings

More procedures for this vehicle