Coil Springs - Rear Pair

This procedure replaces both rear coil springs on a 2007 Ram 3500 4WD with the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, requiring suspension disassembly and spring compression.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification for load rating and lift height
• Rear coil spring (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification for load rating and lift height
• Upper spring isolator pad (left) × 1 — Mopar 52106340AA or equivalent
• Upper spring isolator pad (right) × 1 — Mopar 52106340AA or equivalent
• Lower spring isolator pad (left) × 1 — Mopar 52106341AA or equivalent
• Lower spring isolator pad (right) × 1 — Mopar 52106341AA or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely on both sides
3. Spray all rear suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle differential center
6. Place jack stands under frame rails behind cab, ensuring vehicle is stable and level
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside
8. Inspect spring compressor tools to ensure they are in good working condition with no damaged threads or cracks

Procedure

1. 1

   Support rear axle assembly
   Position floor jack under the center of the rear axle differential. Raise jack until it just contacts the axle but does not lift it. The axle should remain resting on the jack stands via the frame rails, with the jack providing only support to control descent during disassembly. Ensure jack is stable and centered.
   ⚠️The jack must remain in position throughout the entire procedure to prevent uncontrolled axle drop.
2. 2

   Disconnect rear shock absorbers (both sides)
   Locate the lower shock absorber mounting bolt on each side where the shock connects to the axle bracket. Remove the lower mounting bolt and nut from both shocks. Allow shocks to hang freely from their upper mounts. The shocks must be disconnected to allow sufficient axle drop for spring removal.
   ⚠Support the shock absorber when removing the last fastener to prevent it from falling.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar links (if equipped)
   If vehicle is equipped with a rear sway bar, disconnect both sway bar end links from the axle mounts. Remove the nuts securing the links to the axle brackets on both sides. This provides additional clearance for axle drop. If no sway bar is present, proceed to next step.
4. 4

   Disconnect track bar
   Locate the track bar (lateral locating arm) running from the frame to the axle on the driver side. Remove the bolt securing the track bar to the axle bracket. You may need to use a pry bar to relieve tension. Allow the track bar to hang from its frame mount. This is critical to allow lateral movement during spring removal.
   ⚠The track bar may be under tension. Be prepared for axle movement when disconnecting.
5. 5

   Lower axle to release spring tension (first side)
   Working on one side at a time (start with driver side), slowly and carefully lower the floor jack to allow the axle to drop. Lower until the coil spring is loose and spring tension is completely relieved. The spring should be obviously loose with visible gap. Stop immediately if any binding occurs. Ensure all brake lines and ABS wiring have adequate slack.
   ⚠️Lower the axle slowly and watch for brake line, ABS wire, or vent tube tension. Do not allow these components to stretch or tear.
   ⚠The axle may shift laterally when lowered. Ensure jack remains centered under differential.
6. 6

   Remove coil spring (driver side)
   Once spring tension is completely relieved, remove the coil spring from between the upper frame mount and lower axle seat. You may need to rotate or tilt the spring to maneuver it past the axle and frame. Remove and inspect the upper and lower spring isolator pads. Replace isolators if they are cracked, compressed, or deteriorated. Note the orientation of the spring and isolators for installation reference.
7. 7

   Install new coil spring and isolators (driver side)
   Install new lower spring isolator pad on the axle spring seat. Position the new coil spring with the tail end oriented correctly (typically the tighter-wound end faces down). Install new upper isolator pad on top of spring. Ensure spring is seated properly in both upper frame pocket and lower axle perch before raising axle.
   ⚠Verify spring orientation matches original. Incorrect installation can cause handling problems and premature wear.
8. 8

   Raise axle to compress spring (driver side)
   Slowly raise the floor jack to lift the axle and compress the spring between the frame and axle mounts. Ensure the spring remains properly seated in both upper and lower pockets as you raise. Continue until the axle reaches normal ride height position. Do not fully tighten any fasteners yet.
   ⚠Watch spring alignment continuously while raising. Stop and reposition if spring begins to slip out of seats.
9. 9

   Repeat spring replacement (passenger side)
   Repeat steps 5 through 8 for the passenger side spring. Lower the axle carefully, remove the old spring and isolators, install new isolators and spring with correct orientation, and raise the axle back to ride height. Ensure both springs are properly seated before proceeding to reconnection of suspension components.
10. 10

    Reconnect track bar
    With axle at normal ride height, align the track bar with the axle bracket mounting hole. You may need to use a pry bar to shift the axle laterally for alignment. Install the track bar bolt and nut, but do not fully torque yet. All suspension fasteners should be torqued with vehicle at normal ride height and wheels on the ground.
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar links (if equipped)
    If equipped with rear sway bar, reconnect both end links to the axle brackets. Install nuts on both sides but do not fully torque yet. Ensure links are not twisted or binding.
12. 12

    Reconnect shock absorbers
    Align the lower shock absorber mounts with the axle brackets on both sides. Install the lower mounting bolts and nuts. Again, do not fully torque yet - suspension fasteners must be torqued at ride height with weight on wheels.
13. 13

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Install both rear wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle slowly from the jack stands by raising the floor jack under the axle, removing the stands, then lowering the jack until wheels contact the ground. Remove the floor jack completely.
14. 14

    Torque all fasteners to specification
    With vehicle weight on wheels at normal ride height, torque all suspension fasteners to factory specifications in this order: track bar bolt, shock absorber lower bolts, sway bar link nuts (if equipped), and wheel lug nuts. Consult factory service manual for specific torque values. Torque values MUST be obtained from the factory service manual for this specific vehicle; do not rely on estimates. As rough magnitude guidance only (verify before use), wheel lug nuts on this heavy-duty truck are in the range of approximately 145 ft-lbs, and track bar and shock fasteners have their own distinct specs that must be confirmed in the FSM.
    ⚠Torquing suspension components with wheels off the ground will result in premature bushing failure and incorrect suspension geometry.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to factory specifications with vehicle at ride height
2. Double-check that all suspension components are properly reconnected
3. Verify no tools or parts were left in wheel wells or under vehicle
4. Check brake lines and ABS wiring for any signs of stretching or damage

Verification

• Perform visual inspection of both springs to confirm proper seating in upper and lower pockets
• Bounce each corner of the vehicle to verify springs are functioning and no unusual noises are present
• Check that vehicle sits level side-to-side with no visible sagging
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area to verify proper handling and no abnormal noises
• Have alignment checked and adjusted by professional shop - spring replacement will affect alignment settings
• Re-torque all suspension fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving

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