Replace the rear trailing arm bushings on a 2014 Ram 2500 4WD with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine to restore proper rear axle alignment and ride quality.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Trailing arm bushings (set) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint castle nut (if worn) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pins × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Apply penetrating oil to all trailing arm bolts, ball joint nuts, and bushing mounting hardware. Allow to soak for 15-30 minutes
5. Raise vehicle using floor jack at rear differential housing
6. Support vehicle frame with heavy-duty jack stands on both sides, ensuring rear axle can hang freely
7. Remove both rear wheels completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear sway bar links
   Disconnect the rear sway bar links from the trailing arms on both sides. Use an Allen key to hold the stud while loosening the nut. This provides clearance for trailing arm removal.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Support rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear differential housing with a block of wood to protect the housing. Raise jack just enough to take slight tension off the trailing arms, but do not lift the axle significantly. This prevents the axle from dropping too far when arms are disconnected.
   ⚠Do not raise the axle enough to lift the vehicle off the jack stands. The jack should only support the axle weight.
3. 3

   Disconnect shock absorbers
   Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolts on both sides where they attach to the trailing arm or axle bracket. This allows the axle to drop for trailing arm removal. Retain hardware for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

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

   Mark trailing arm position
   Before removing any bolts, use a paint marker or scribe to mark the position of the trailing arm bushings relative to the frame mounts. This ensures proper alignment during reassembly and maintains existing alignment settings.
5. 5

   Remove rear trailing arm frame mount bolts
   Remove the large bolts securing the trailing arm to the frame brackets at the front mounts. These are typically 21mm or 24mm bolts. Use a breaker bar as these bolts are torqued to high specification. Support the trailing arm with your hand to prevent it from dropping.
   ⚠These bolts may be seized due to road salt and corrosion. Apply additional penetrating oil and use heat if necessary.
6. 6

   Remove trailing arm axle mount bolts
   Remove the bolts securing the trailing arm to the rear axle housing brackets. Lower the floor jack slightly if needed to relieve tension and allow bolt removal. Once bolts are removed, carefully lower the trailing arm away from the vehicle.
   ⚠️Control the trailing arm as it separates from the mounts. The arm is heavy and may swing or drop suddenly.
7. 7

   Press out old bushings
   Secure the trailing arm in a hydraulic press or use a bushing press kit. Position the arm so the bushing can be pressed through the housing bore. Use appropriately sized drivers that contact only the bushing outer shell, not the trailing arm housing. Press the old bushing straight out, taking care not to damage the housing bore.
   ⚠Inspect the bushing bore for damage, scoring, or corrosion. Clean thoroughly with a wire brush and inspect for cracks before installing new bushings.
8. 8

   Clean bushing bores
   Use a wire brush and solvent to thoroughly clean the bushing bores in the trailing arm. Remove all rust, old rubber material, and debris. The bore must be clean and smooth for proper bushing seating. Inspect for any damage or deformation that would prevent proper bushing installation.
9. 9

   Install new bushings
   Apply a light coating of dish soap or bushing installation lubricant to the new bushing outer shell and the trailing arm bore. Position the new bushing squarely at the bore entrance, ensuring proper orientation per manufacturer markings. Using the hydraulic press and appropriate driver, press the bushing straight into the housing until it is fully seated and flush with both sides of the bore. Verify the bushing is centered and seated evenly.
   ⚠Do not use petroleum-based lubricants as they can damage rubber bushings. Press slowly and stop immediately if resistance indicates misalignment.
10. 10

    Reinstall trailing arms
    Position the trailing arm with new bushings back into the vehicle. Align the arm with the frame mount brackets first, using your alignment marks as reference. Insert the frame mount bolts finger-tight. Raise the floor jack under the differential to align the axle-side mounting holes, then install those bolts finger-tight. Do not torque any bolts yet.
11. 11

    Reconnect shock absorbers
    Install the lower shock absorber bolts to reconnect the shocks to their lower mounts. Torque these bolts to specification using the torque wrench.
    Torque spec

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

    Reconnect sway bar links
    Reconnect the rear sway bar links to the trailing arms. Hold the stud with an Allen key while tightening the nuts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Load suspension and torque trailing arm bolts
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle until the full weight is on the suspension and tires are on the ground. This loads the suspension to the normal ride height position. With the vehicle at normal ride height, torque all trailing arm mounting bolts (frame and axle mounts) to the control arm bolt specification. This is critical for proper bushing life and prevents premature wear.
    ⚠️Torquing suspension bushings at incorrect ride height will cause premature bushing failure and handling problems. Always torque with vehicle weight on wheels.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install wheels and final torque
    Install both rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand first. Lower vehicle completely to the ground. Torque all lug nuts in a star pattern to specification using the torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the main procedure steps
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification at proper ride height
3. Verify no tools or parts were left under the vehicle

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises from the rear suspension
• Check for proper tracking and alignment; vehicle should not pull to one side
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque all trailing arm mounting bolts at normal ride height to verify they have not loosened
• Visually inspect all connections for proper seating and no signs of movement
• Have the rear wheel alignment checked and adjusted by a professional shop to ensure proper camber, caster, and toe settings

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