Replace the rear shock absorbers on a 2014 Ram 2500 4WD with 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine to restore ride quality and handling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber × 2 — Use OEM specification or equivalent heavy-duty shock

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. If vehicle has been recently driven, allow exhaust system and drivetrain components to cool
4. Spray penetrating oil on shock mounting hardware and allow 15-20 minutes to penetrate if vehicle shows corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1-2 turns while vehicle is on the ground. Position floor jack under rear axle housing near differential. Raise vehicle until rear wheels are off ground. Place jack stands under frame rails just forward of rear axle. Lower vehicle onto jack stands while keeping jack under axle for support. Remove rear wheels completely.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Locate shock absorber mounting points
   Identify the shock absorber on the driver side. The upper mount is attached to a frame bracket above the axle. The lower mount is bolted to a bracket on the rear axle housing. Inspect both mounting points for corrosion or damage.
   ℹ️Ram 2500 rear shocks are positioned vertically between frame and axle. Access is straightforward from underneath.
3. 3

   Remove driver side shock lower mounting bolt
   Using an 18mm socket and wrench, hold the nut on one side while loosening the bolt from the other side of the lower shock mount. Remove bolt and nut completely. The shock will pivot on the upper mount but remain attached.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove driver side shock upper mounting bolt
   Support the shock body with one hand to prevent it from falling. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the upper mounting bolt and nut from the frame bracket. Lower the shock absorber and remove it from the vehicle.
   ⚠Shock absorber will be free to fall once upper bolt is removed. Maintain control to prevent injury or damage.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Inspect and clean mounting points
   Examine both upper and lower mounting brackets for cracks, deformation, or excessive corrosion. Use wire brush to clean mounting bolt holes and remove rust buildup from bracket surfaces. Inspect mounting bushings in brackets for damage.
   ℹ️If brackets show structural damage, they must be replaced before installing new shocks.
6. 6

   Install new driver side shock absorber
   Position new shock absorber between mounting brackets with bushings properly seated. Install upper mounting bolt and nut finger-tight. Align lower mount and install lower mounting bolt and nut finger-tight. Ensure shock is properly oriented with any valving or reservoir positioning as indicated by manufacturer.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Torque driver side shock mounting bolts
   Using torque wrench and holding the nut with a wrench, torque both upper and lower mounting bolts to specification. Torque the upper bolt first, then the lower bolt. Verify both fasteners are secure.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove passenger side shock lower mounting bolt
   Repeat the removal process for the passenger side shock. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, hold the nut while loosening the bolt from the lower shock mount. Remove bolt and nut completely.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove passenger side shock upper mounting bolt
   Support the shock body with one hand. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the upper mounting bolt and nut from the frame bracket. Lower the shock absorber and remove it from the vehicle.
   ⚠Control shock absorber as upper bolt is removed to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install new passenger side shock absorber
    Position new shock absorber between mounting brackets with bushings properly seated. Install upper mounting bolt and nut finger-tight. Align lower mount and install lower mounting bolt and nut finger-tight. Ensure shock orientation matches driver side installation.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque passenger side shock mounting bolts
    Using torque wrench and holding the nut with a wrench, torque both upper and lower mounting bolts to specification. Torque the upper bolt first, then the lower bolt. Verify both fasteners are secure.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Position rear wheels onto hubs and install lug nuts hand-tight in a star pattern. Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to remove tension from jack stands. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to the ground. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all mounting hardware is torqued to specification
2. Verify no tools or parts have been left under vehicle
3. Remove wheel chocks after verifying parking brake is engaged

Verification

• Visually inspect both shock absorbers to confirm they are securely mounted with no gap between bushings and brackets
• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle to verify shocks compress and rebound smoothly without noise
• Test drive vehicle at low speed over bumps to confirm proper shock operation and no rattling or clunking noises
• Re-check lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle