Electric Power Steering Motor

Remove and replace the electric power steering motor on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, including proper system bleeding and verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Electric power steering motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Shop towels × 1 — Generic

Fluids

• Mopar ATF+4 — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 2 minutes for system capacitors to discharge
3. Turn steering wheel to center position and install steering wheel holder if available
4. Raise front of vehicle and secure on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove front skid plate if equipped
6. Place drain pan under steering gear area
7. Mark steering shaft position relative to steering gear for reassembly reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the power steering motor
   Remove the driver side front wheel to gain access to the steering components. Remove any belly pan or plastic covers that obstruct access to the power steering motor mounted on the steering rack. The motor is located on the steering rack assembly behind the front axle.
2. 2

   Disconnect electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector on the power steering motor. Press the release tab and carefully disconnect the wiring harness. Inspect connector pins for corrosion or damage. If corroded, clean with electrical contact cleaner and allow to dry completely.
   ⚠Do not pull on wires directly; always pull on the connector body to avoid damaging pins.
3. 3

   Drain power steering fluid
   Loosen the power steering line fittings at the motor assembly. Allow fluid to drain into the drain pan. Use a vacuum pump or turkey baster to remove as much fluid as possible from the reservoir to minimize spillage. Keep towels ready to catch any remaining fluid.
   ⚠ATF+4 fluid will be hot if engine was recently running. Allow to cool before draining.
4. 4

   Remove power steering lines
   Completely remove both power steering line fittings from the motor assembly. Cap or plug the lines immediately to prevent contamination and further fluid loss. Remove and discard the old O-rings from the fittings. Clean the fitting threads with a wire brush.
5. 5

   Remove motor mounting bolts
   Remove the mounting bolts securing the electric power steering motor to the steering rack housing. The motor is typically secured with multiple bolts around its perimeter. Support the motor while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
6. 6

   Remove power steering motor
   Carefully pull the power steering motor assembly straight away from the steering rack. The motor shaft will disengage from the rack internal gearing. Inspect the mounting surface and shaft entry point for debris or damage. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly with a clean shop towel.
   ⚠Do not rotate the steering rack input shaft after motor removal, as this can cause internal misalignment.
7. 7

   Prepare new motor for installation
   Unpack the new electric power steering motor. Verify it matches the removed unit exactly. Install new O-rings onto the power steering line fittings, lubricating them lightly with ATF+4 fluid. Inspect the motor shaft and ensure it is clean and free of debris.
   ℹ️Some replacement motors come pre-lubricated; do not remove factory lubricant from shaft.
8. 8

   Install new power steering motor
   Align the new motor shaft with the steering rack input shaft. Carefully slide the motor into position, ensuring the shaft engages properly with the internal gearing. The motor should seat flush against the mounting surface. Do not force; if resistance is felt, remove and check alignment.
   ⚠Ensure shaft alignment is correct before tightening bolts to prevent damage to internal gears.
9. 9

   Install mounting bolts
   Install the mounting bolts securing the motor to the rack housing. Start all bolts by hand first to ensure proper threading. Tighten in a cross-pattern to ensure even seating. Torque all mounting bolts to specification using a torque wrench.
10. 10

    Reconnect power steering lines
    Install the power steering lines to the motor assembly with new O-rings in place. Thread fittings by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Once hand-tight, use a torque wrench to tighten to specification. Verify O-rings are properly seated by checking for even sealing around the fitting.
11. 11

    Reconnect electrical connector
    Plug the wiring harness connector into the power steering motor until it clicks securely into place. Verify the lock tab is fully engaged. Gently tug on the connection to ensure it is properly seated and will not vibrate loose during operation.
12. 12

    Fill and bleed system
    Fill the power steering reservoir with fresh Mopar ATF+4 fluid to the cold fill line. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the ignition to the ON position without starting the engine. Turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock 10-15 times to purge air from the system. Check fluid level and add as needed. Start the engine and repeat the lock-to-lock procedure with the engine running. Check for leaks at all fittings.
    ⚠Do not hold steering wheel at full lock for more than 5 seconds to avoid overheating the motor.
13. 13

    Reinstall covers and wheel
    Reinstall any belly pans, skid plates, or plastic covers removed during disassembly. Reinstall the front wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern with the vehicle on the ground.

Reassembly

1. Verify all electrical connections are secure and properly locked
2. Check power steering fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
3. Ensure no fluid leaks are present at any connections
4. Verify all mounting bolts are torqued to specification

Verification

• Start the engine and verify no unusual noises from the steering system
• Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and verify smooth operation with no binding
• Test drive vehicle and verify steering assist is functioning properly at all speeds
• Check for proper steering return to center after turns
• Inspect all fittings and connections for fluid leaks after test drive
• Verify no warning lights are illuminated on the instrument cluster
• Check power steering fluid level is at proper cold or hot level depending on engine temperature

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