Shock Absorber Replacement

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of front and rear shock absorbers on a 2007 Ram 3500 4WD with the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front shock absorbers × 2 — Use OEM specification or heavy-duty equivalent
• Rear shock absorbers × 2 — Use OEM specification or heavy-duty equivalent
• Upper mount self-locking nuts × 4 — M12 self-locking nut

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, stable surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels if working on front shocks, or front wheels if working on rear shocks
3. Apply penetrating oil to all shock mounting hardware and allow 15-20 minutes to penetrate if vehicle is from high-corrosion area
4. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground if wheel removal is needed for access
5. Raise vehicle using floor jack at appropriate frame lift points and secure with jack stands
6. Remove wheels if necessary for better access to shock mounts

Procedure

1. 1

   Access front shock upper mount
   Locate the front shock upper mount where the shock stud passes through the upper frame bracket. On this solid-axle 4WD, the upper mount is accessed from the wheel well/underside rather than from the engine bay.
2. 2

   Remove front shock upper mount nut
   Using a wrench to hold the shock shaft flats from rotating and the correct socket, remove the upper mount self-locking nut (verify fastener sizes against factory service data). Note the position of any washers or bushings for reassembly in the same order.
   ℹ️Upper mount nuts are self-locking and must be replaced with new hardware. Do not reuse old nuts.
3. 3

   Remove front shock lower mount bolt
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the lower shock mount bolt that secures the shock to the front axle bracket. Use the correct socket and ratchet (verify size against factory service data) to remove the lower mount bolt completely. Support the shock by hand as you remove the bolt to prevent it from falling.
4. 4

   Remove front shock absorber
   Compress the shock slightly if needed and withdraw it downward from the lower mount, then pull the upper shaft down through the frame mount. Remove the shock from the vehicle. Inspect mounting hardware and bushings for wear or damage.
5. 5

   Install new front shock absorber
   Insert the upper shaft of the new shock through the frame mount from below, ensuring all bushings and washers are positioned correctly per the original configuration. Align the lower eye with the axle bracket mount. Install the lower mount bolt finger-tight but do not torque yet.
6. 6

   Secure front shock upper and lower mounts
   Install a NEW self-locking nut on the upper mount stud with washers in original order. Torque the upper mount nut to the factory-specified value while holding the shock shaft. Then torque the lower mount bolt to the factory-specified value (obtain exact torque specs from the Ram service manual).
   Torque spec

   Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Repeat for opposite front shock
   Repeat steps 1-6 for the opposite side front shock absorber, ensuring both shocks are installed with the same orientation and all fasteners are torqued to specification.
   Torque spec

   Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

   Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Access rear shock upper mount
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the rear shock upper mount at the frame bracket. Confirm the mount type (eyelet-and-bolt vs. stud-and-nut) against factory service data, as many HD Ram rear shocks use through-bolt eyelet mounts at both ends.
9. 9

   Remove rear shock upper mount nut
   Remove the rear shock upper mount fastener using the correct tools for the mount type on this vehicle (verify whether it is a stud nut or a through-bolt, and confirm fastener sizes against factory service data). Note washer and bushing positions for correct reassembly.
   ℹ️Replace upper mount nuts with new self-locking hardware.
10. 10

    Remove rear shock lower mount bolt
    Locate the lower shock mount bolt at the rear axle bracket. Use a 21mm socket to remove the lower mount bolt completely. Support the shock to prevent it from falling when the bolt is removed.
11. 11

    Remove rear shock absorber
    Withdraw the shock from the lower mount bracket, then guide the upper shaft out of the frame mount. Remove the shock from the vehicle and inspect all mounting hardware and bushings.
12. 12

    Install new rear shock absorber
    Position the new rear shock by inserting the upper shaft through the frame mount with bushings and washers in correct order. Align the lower eye with the axle bracket. Install the lower mount bolt finger-tight.
13. 13

    Secure rear shock upper and lower mounts
    Install a NEW self-locking nut on the upper mount with all washers in original configuration. Torque the upper mount nut to specification while holding the shaft with an 18mm wrench. Then torque the lower mount bolt to specification.
    Torque spec

    Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Complete rear shock replacement
    Repeat steps 8-13 for the opposite side rear shock absorber, verifying proper orientation and torque on all fasteners.
    Torque spec

    Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall wheels if removed and torque lug nuts to 135 lb-ft in a star pattern
2. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to ground
3. Perform final torque check on all lug nuts with vehicle on ground
4. Dispose of old shock absorbers according to local regulations

Verification

• Visually inspect all shock mounts to ensure hardware is properly installed and torqued
• Bounce each corner of the vehicle and verify shocks dampen movement properly without noise
• Test drive vehicle at low speed over moderate bumps to confirm proper shock operation and absence of rattles or clunks
• Verify no fluid leaks from new shock seals after test drive
• Recheck all mounting hardware torque after 50-100 miles of driving

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