This procedure covers the replacement of the inner and outer rack and pinion boots on a 2014 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, including tie rod removal and steering system access.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rack and pinion boot kit (inner and outer boots) × 1 — Use OEM Mopar specification
• Boot clamps × 4 — Typically included in boot kit
• Cotter pins × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering O-rings × 4 — Use OEM Mopar specification
• Rack and pinion grease × 1 — Use grease specified in boot kit

Fluids

• Mopar ATF+4 — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and set parking brake
2. Center the steering wheel and turn ignition to LOCK position
3. Remove power steering reservoir cap to relieve system pressure
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove front wheels
6. Place drain pan under steering rack area
7. Mark the tie rod position on the inner tie rod threads with paint or tape before disassembly to aid in reassembly alignment

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove tie rod ends from steering knuckles
   Remove the cotter pins from both tie rod end castle nuts using pliers. Loosen but do not remove the castle nuts. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Once separated, remove the castle nut completely and remove the tie rod end from the knuckle.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod End Castle Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Mark and remove outer tie rods
   Before loosening, measure and record the exposed thread length on each tie rod or make alignment marks on the outer tie rod relative to the inner tie rod. Loosen the tie rod jam nut. Unthread the outer tie rod ends from the inner tie rods while counting the number of turns for reassembly reference.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Nut73 Nm (54 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Access steering rack mounting bolts
   Remove any skid plates or protective covers that obstruct access to the steering rack. On 4WD models, this may require removal of front differential skid plate mounting hardware. Clean the area around the steering rack mounting points with a wire brush to identify all fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect power steering lines
   Position drain pan directly under power steering line connections. Using a flare nut wrench, carefully disconnect both pressure and return lines from the steering rack. Note the orientation and position of O-rings. Allow fluid to drain completely. Cap or plug the lines and rack ports to prevent contamination.
   ⚠Use flare nut wrenches to avoid rounding off the line fittings. Do not reuse old O-rings as they will cause leaks.
   Torque spec

   Power Steering Line Fittings30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove steering rack mounting bolts
   Support the steering rack with one hand or a suitable support. Remove the steering rack mounting bolts. Carefully lower the rack assembly enough to access the boots while noting the routing of any brackets or components. On some configurations, complete rack removal may be necessary for boot replacement depending on workspace available.
   ⚠The steering rack is heavy and awkward. Use caution when lowering to prevent pinching fingers or damaging components.
   Torque spec

   Rack Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove old inner and outer boots
   Cut or remove the boot clamps on both inner and outer boots using boot clamp pliers or cutting pliers. Slide the old boots off the rack assembly and inner tie rod connections. Note the orientation and positioning of each boot. Clean the rack housing and inner tie rod surfaces thoroughly, removing all old grease and debris.
7. 7

   Inspect rack and tie rod components
   Carefully inspect the rack shaft for scoring, pitting, or damage. Check inner tie rod ball joints for excessive play or damage. Inspect the rack housing for cracks or leaks. If any damage is found, the rack assembly or tie rod may need replacement rather than just boot service.
   ℹ️Damaged rack shafts or worn inner tie rods will cause premature boot failure. Replace components as necessary before installing new boots.
8. 8

   Install new inner boots
   Pack the inner boot area with the appropriate amount of rack and pinion grease as specified in the boot kit instructions. Slide the new inner boot onto the rack housing, ensuring proper seating in the groove. Install new boot clamps and tighten securely using boot clamp pliers, ensuring the boot is not twisted or kinked.
9. 9

   Install new outer boots
   Apply grease to the inner tie rod ball joint area as specified. Slide the new outer boot over the inner tie rod and seat it properly on both the tie rod and the inner boot. Ensure the boot is positioned correctly without twisting. Install new clamps on both ends of the outer boot and secure tightly.
10. 10

    Reinstall steering rack assembly
    Lift the steering rack back into position, aligning with mounting bolt holes. Ensure all brackets and components are properly routed. Install steering rack mounting bolts and tighten to specification in a cross pattern to ensure even seating.
    Torque spec

    Rack Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect power steering lines
    Install new O-rings on all power steering line fittings, lubricating them lightly with ATF+4. Thread the pressure and return lines into the steering rack ports by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Tighten the line fittings to specification using a flare nut wrench.
    ⚠Always install new O-rings. Cross-threading aluminum ports will require rack replacement.
    Torque spec

    Power Steering Line Fittings30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall outer tie rods
    Thread the outer tie rods back onto the inner tie rods the same number of turns recorded during removal, or to the alignment marks made previously. Tighten the jam nuts to specification. This should place the tie rods close to their original position.
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod Nut73 Nm (54 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Connect tie rod ends to steering knuckles
    Insert tie rod end studs into the steering knuckle tapers. Install the castle nuts and tighten to specification. Install new cotter pins through the castle nut slots and tie rod stud holes. Bend the cotter pin ends to secure.
    ⚠Never loosen a castle nut to align cotter pin holes. If holes do not align at proper torque, tighten up to the next slot, not to exceed 15 degrees of additional rotation.
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod End Castle Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall protective covers and wheels
    Reinstall any skid plates or protective covers removed during disassembly. Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle to the ground and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Fill and bleed power steering system
    Fill the power steering reservoir with Mopar ATF+4 to the cold fill line. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock several times while checking fluid level. Add fluid as necessary. Check for leaks at all connection points. Continue bleeding until no air bubbles are visible in the reservoir and steering operates smoothly.
    ℹ️Do not hold the steering at full lock for more than 5 seconds as this can overheat the power steering pump.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all boot clamps are properly tightened and boots are not twisted or kinked
2. Verify all power steering connections are tight and using new O-rings
3. Double-check that new cotter pins are installed and properly bent on tie rod ends
4. Confirm all mounting bolts are torqued to specification
5. Reinstall any skid plates or covers removed during the procedure

Verification

• Start engine and verify no power steering fluid leaks at rack connections or boots
• Turn steering wheel from lock to lock and verify smooth operation with no binding or unusual noises
• Check power steering fluid level and top off if necessary
• Visually inspect all boot clamps to ensure they are secure and boots are properly seated
• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify steering response is normal
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment as tie rod position may have changed slightly during service

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