Replace the rear strut assemblies on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins Diesel, including removal of strut-to-knuckle connection and upper strut tower mounting.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut assembly (left) × 1 — Mopar 68170976AB or equivalent
• Rear strut assembly (right) × 1 — Mopar 68170976AB or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and set parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Apply penetrating oil to rear strut-to-knuckle bolts and strut tower nuts if visible rust is present; allow 15-30 minutes penetration time
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove
5. Lift rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle differential center
6. Place jack stands under frame rails near rear axle mounts
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper strut mounting area
   From inside the truck bed or underneath the vehicle bed floor, locate the upper strut tower mounting. On some configurations, you may need to remove bed liner sections or access panels to reach the top strut nuts. The upper mount has three nuts securing it to the body. Clean the area around the nuts with a wire brush if necessary.
2. 2

   Support the rear knuckle and axle
   Position a transmission jack or suitable support under the rear knuckle assembly to support the weight of the axle and prevent it from dropping when the strut is disconnected. Raise the jack just until it makes firm contact, but do not lift the suspension. The suspension should remain in its natural dropped position with wheels removed.
   ⚠Failure to support the knuckle can result in sudden dropping of the axle assembly, causing damage to brake lines, ABS wiring, or injury to hands and arms.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link if necessary
   If the sway bar link interferes with strut removal (check your specific configuration), remove the upper sway bar link nut. Use an Allen key to hold the link shaft while loosening the nut with a wrench. Some configurations may not require this step if there is adequate clearance.
   ℹ️Not all Ram 2500 configurations have rear sway bars. Verify your vehicle configuration before attempting this step.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link82 Nm (61 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two horizontal bolts connecting the lower portion of the strut to the rear knuckle. These are large 18mm bolts. Using a breaker bar and socket, remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts completely. You may need to use a wrench on the nut side while turning the bolt. The strut will now be loose at the bottom but still attached at the top.
   ⚠These bolts are typically very tight and may require significant force. Ensure your tools are properly seated to avoid rounding the bolt heads.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove upper strut tower nuts
   From the top access point, remove the three 15mm nuts securing the strut tower mount to the vehicle body. Support the strut assembly from below as you remove the final nut to prevent it from falling. Once all three nuts are removed, carefully guide the strut assembly down and out of the wheel well.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy (approximately 30-40 lbs). Control its descent to avoid injury or damage to brake components.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Inspect mounting areas
   With the strut removed, inspect the upper strut tower mounting surface for corrosion, damage, or elongated bolt holes. Inspect the knuckle mounting area for cracks or damage. Clean all mounting surfaces with a wire brush. Check brake lines and ABS wiring for any signs of wear or contact with suspension components.
7. 7

   Install new strut assembly - upper mount
   Guide the new strut assembly into position, aligning the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. You may need an assistant or the transmission jack to support the weight while aligning. Thread the three upper strut tower nuts onto the studs by hand, but do not torque yet. Leave them finger-tight to allow alignment of lower mounting points.
8. 8

   Connect strut to knuckle
   Align the lower strut bracket with the mounting holes in the rear knuckle. You may need to use the transmission jack to carefully raise or lower the axle assembly slightly to align the holes. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and thread the nuts on by hand. Ensure the bolts pass through completely and threads are not crossed.
9. 9

   Torque upper strut tower nuts
   Using a torque wrench, tighten the three upper strut tower nuts in a star pattern to ensure even loading. Torque each nut to specification. Recheck each nut in sequence to verify proper torque.
   ⚠Uneven tightening of strut tower nuts can cause binding and premature strut failure.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Using a torque wrench and appropriate socket, torque both strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. These are critical fasteners that control suspension geometry and must be torqued accurately. Use a backup wrench on the nut side if necessary.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link
    If the sway bar link was disconnected in step 3, reconnect it now. Thread the nut onto the link shaft, hold the shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation, and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link82 Nm (61 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1-11 for the opposite rear strut assembly. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification and all components are properly secured.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels
    Carefully position the rear wheels onto the hubs, ensuring the wheel studs pass through the wheel holes cleanly. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench, but do not torque yet.
14. 14

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground using the floor jack. Once the vehicle weight is fully on the wheels, torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Remove wheel chocks.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners have been installed and properly torqued
2. Ensure no tools or parts have been left in the wheel wells or suspension area
3. Replace any bed liner sections or access panels that were removed for upper strut access
4. Double-check that the transmission jack or support equipment has been removed from under the vehicle

Verification

• Perform a visual inspection of all connections to ensure bolts and nuts are present and tight
• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle firmly. The suspension should rebound smoothly without clunking or binding
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area, checking for unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues
• After the first 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque all wheel lug nuts to specification
• Have a professional alignment performed as soon as possible. Strut replacement affects suspension geometry and alignment settings

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