Replace the rear sway bar bushings on a 2014 Ram 2500 4WD to eliminate squeaking, clunking, or restore handling performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear sway bar bushing set × 1 — Mopar 68088074AA or equivalent
• Sway bar bracket bolts (if corroded) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle differential
4. Support vehicle with jack stands under frame rails behind rear axle
5. Allow rear suspension to hang freely with wheels off ground

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate rear sway bar and bushings
   Position yourself under the rear axle. The rear sway bar runs laterally across the rear axle housing. Identify the two bushing brackets that secure the sway bar to the axle - one on each side of the differential. Each bracket is held by two bolts.
2. 2

   Remove driver side bushing bracket
   Using a 15mm socket, remove the two bolts securing the driver side sway bar bracket to the axle housing. Keep track of the bolts for reinstallation. Remove the bracket and the old bushing.
3. 3

   Remove passenger side bushing bracket
   Using a 15mm socket, remove the two bolts securing the passenger side sway bar bracket to the axle housing. Remove the bracket and the old bushing. The sway bar is now free from the axle.
4. 4

   Clean sway bar mounting surface
   Use a wire brush to clean the sway bar surface where the bushings mount, removing any rust, dirt, or old bushing material. Also clean the axle mounting surfaces and bracket hardware. Inspect the sway bar for cracks or damage.
5. 5

   Prepare new bushings
   Remove new bushings from packaging. Check that the bushing inner diameter matches the sway bar outer diameter. Apply a light coating of silicone spray lubricant to the inside of each new bushing (do not use petroleum-based lubricants as they degrade rubber).
6. 6

   Install driver side bushing and bracket
   Split open the new driver side bushing and position it around the sway bar in the correct location on the axle housing. The bushing split should face downward or rearward. Place the bracket over the bushing and start both bolts by hand to hold the assembly in place.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Install passenger side bushing and bracket
   Split open the new passenger side bushing and position it around the sway bar in the correct location on the axle housing. The bushing split should face downward or rearward to match the driver side. Place the bracket over the bushing and start both bolts by hand.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Torque all bracket bolts
   Using a torque wrench and 15mm socket, torque all four sway bar bracket bolts to specification (47 lb-ft). Torque in a cross pattern: driver front, passenger rear, driver rear, passenger front. Ensure brackets are centered on bushings and bushings are not twisted.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Bracket Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all bracket bolts are torqued to specification and bushings are properly seated
2. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to the ground
3. Remove wheel chocks

Verification

• Start vehicle and turn steering wheel full lock in both directions while stationary to load the sway bar
• Listen for any clunking or squeaking noises from the rear sway bar area
• Test drive vehicle over bumps and during cornering to verify repair eliminated symptoms
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle after first drive to confirm brackets remain tight

More procedures for this vehicle