Front End Steering Rebuild Kits
Package kits bundle the wearing steering parts and ball joints for this truck.
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD Suspension Diagram
This interactive diagram shows the front suspension, steering linkage, driveline and rear suspension of the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD. Hover over or tap any part to see what it does, the signs that it is worn, and the replacement parts we carry that fit your truck, down to the side and position.
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD Suspension Diagram (Full Chassis)
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD Front Suspension and Steering Diagram
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD Rear Suspension Diagram
We carry parts for it Not stocked yet Hover or tap any part.
The 1994 to 1999 Ram 1500 2WD has an independent front with upper and lower control arms and a coil spring on each lower arm. The steering gear on the driver frame rail turns a pitman arm, which moves a center link across the truck; an idler arm holds the passenger end, and a tie rod at each end of the link steers the knuckle. The front rotor and hub are one part on tapered wheel bearings. The rear is a solid axle on leaf springs with staggered shocks and drum brakes.
We carry replacement parts for 35 of the 43 components on this diagram, 133 parts in all. See every part for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD.
Packages and kits
Shock Absorber Sets
Front and rear shock sets for the whole truck.
Complete Suspension Bushing Kits
One kit with the suspension bushings for the whole truck, or the front end bushings alone.
U-Joint Packages
Every U-joint for the truck in one order. Check the driveshaft notes on each package.
Front Suspension
1 Upper Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The upper ball joint is the top pivot of the steering knuckle. Its stud points down into the knuckle from the end of the upper control arm.
Signs of wear: A clunk over bumps, wandering, uneven tire wear, or play when the tire is rocked top to bottom with the front lifted.
Tip: The 1994 to 1999 joint presses into the arm. 2000 and 2001 trucks use a bolt-on joint with a different part number.
See all Front Upper Ball Joint parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
2 Lower Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The lower ball joint presses up into the outer end of the lower control arm and is held by a snap ring on top. Its stud points down through an ear at the bottom of the knuckle, under the arm, with a castle nut beneath.
Signs of wear: A clunk or knock over bumps, a shimmy, or play at the bottom of the tire with the front lifted.
Tip: The coil spring loads the lower joint, so support the lower arm before the joint is separated.
See all Front Lower Ball Joint parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
3 Caster and Camber Parts (driver and passenger side)
Offset ball joint pins and adjustable bolts that move the top of the knuckle in or out and fore or aft to set camber and caster.
Tip: Used to correct alignment after lowering or leveling, or when the factory range runs out.
See all Front End Alignment Kit parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
4 Upper Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
A stamped steel A-arm on a cross shaft bolted to a bracket on the frame rail. Its outer end holds the upper ball joint.
Signs of wear: Clunks, torn or cracked bushings, or a worn ball joint at the outer end.
Tip: Complete arms come with new bushings and ball joint. 2000 and 2001 trucks take a different arm.
See all Front Control Arm parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
5 Lower Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
A stamped steel A-arm on two bushings at the front crossmember. The coil spring sits on a seat in the middle of it, the shock bolts to its front edge beside the coil, and the lower ball joint is at its outer end.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps, steering that wanders, or torn bushings at the crossmember.
Tip: The left and right lower arms are different parts. Support the arm before unbolting anything, because the coil spring pushes on it.
See all Front Control Arm parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
6 Upper Control Arm Bushings (driver and passenger side)
Rubber bushings in the two inner eyes of the upper arm, around the cross shaft.
Tip: Polyurethane kits replace the factory rubber with a firmer bushing.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
7 Lower Control Arm Bushings (driver and passenger side)
Large rubber bushings in the front and rear inner eyes of the lower arm, where it pivots on the crossmember brackets.
Tip: The bushings are pressed in. Many owners replace the whole arm instead.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
8 Steering Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The cast knuckle turns between the upper and lower ball joints, with both studs pointing down into it. Its spindle carries the rotor and hub on two tapered bearings, and its arm at the front takes the outer tie rod end.
We don't carry a steering knuckle for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
9 Front Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
Each front coil sits on the lower control arm and pushes up into a spring pocket on the frame. The shock stands beside it, not inside it.
Signs of wear: A front end that sits low or leans, or a broken coil end.
Tip: The coil is under heavy load. Use a spring compressor, or support the lower arm with a jack while it is removed.
See all Front Coil Springs parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
10 Coil Spring Isolator (driver and passenger side)
A rubber pad between the top of the coil and the frame spring pocket. It quiets the spring.
Tip: Replace it whenever the coil is out.
See all Front Coil Spring Isolator Pads parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
11 Front Shock Absorber (driver and passenger side)
The front shock stands beside the coil spring, outboard of it and a little ahead, between the coil and the knuckle. Its stem goes up through a frame bracket and its lower loop bolts to the lower arm.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, nose dive under braking, or oil on the shock body.
See all Front Shock Absorber parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
12 Front Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber or urethane stop on the frame over the lower control arm. It stops the arm at full compression.
See all Front Bump Stops parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
13 Front Sway Bar
The bar runs across the front of the truck in two frame bushings. Its arms run back to links on the lower control arms.
See all Front Sway Bar parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
14 Front Sway Bar Bushings
Two rubber bushings in brackets under the frame hold the bar. The size must match the bar: 30 mm or 32 mm.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps or a loose bar.
Tip: Measure the bar before ordering: two sizes were fitted.
See all Front Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
15 Front Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side)
A bolt with rubber bushings from the end of each sway bar arm down to a tab on the lower control arm.
Signs of wear: Rattles over small bumps, or split bushings on the link.
See all Front Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
Steering
16 Pitman Arm
The pitman arm is splined to the steering gear on the driver frame rail. Its ball stud drives the driver end of the center link.
Signs of wear: Play in the steering wheel or a clunk when turning.
Tip: Use a puller to remove it from the gear shaft.
17 Idler Arm
The idler arm pivots in a bracket on the passenger frame rail and holds up the passenger end of the center link, mirroring the pitman arm.
Signs of wear: Wander, uneven tire wear, or up and down play at the passenger end of the center link.
Tip: The idler arm comes with its frame bracket.
18 Center Link
A forged bar across the front of the truck between the pitman arm and the idler arm. The inner tie rod ends plug into it near each end.
Signs of wear: Play at its ends or a loose steering feel.
Tip: Our listing for this center link covers 1995 to 1999. Check your year before ordering.
See all Tie Rod Center Link parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
19 Inner Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The inner end of each tie rod. Its stud goes up into the center link and its threaded shank goes into the adjusting sleeve.
Signs of wear: Wander, shimmy, or uneven tire wear.
Tip: Count the sleeve turns when replacing it, and have the toe set afterwards.
See all Front Inner Tie Rod End parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
20 Outer Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The outer end of each tie rod. Its stud goes up into the steering arm at the front of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Wander, shimmy, uneven tire wear, or a torn boot.
Tip: Have the toe set after replacing a tie rod end.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
21 Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve (driver and passenger side)
A threaded sleeve with two clamps joins the inner and outer tie rod ends. Turning it sets the toe.
Tip: Rust can seize the sleeve. Soak the threads before trying to turn it.
See all Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
Driveline
22 Rear Driveshaft
The rear driveshaft runs from the transmission to the rear axle pinion, with a U-joint at each end.
We don't carry a rear driveshaft for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
23 Rear Driveshaft U-Joint at Transmission
The front U-joint of the rear driveshaft, at the slip yoke behind the transmission.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting into gear, or a squeak when rolling.
Tip: The joint size changed in 1998 and 1999. Check the year and the shaft's joint count on each listing.
24 Rear Driveshaft U-Joint at Center Bearing Not on every vehicle
The middle U-joint of a two piece rear driveshaft, just behind the center bearing.
Not on every vehicle: Only on trucks with the two piece rear driveshaft (the long wheelbase club and quad cabs). The drawn quad cab short bed and most regular cabs have a one piece shaft.
We don't carry a rear driveshaft u-joint at center bearing for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
25 Rear Driveshaft U-Joint at Rear Axle
The rear U-joint of the driveshaft, at the rear axle pinion yoke.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting into gear, or a squeak when rolling.
26 Center Support Bearing Not on every vehicle
A rubber mounted bearing on a crossmember that holds the middle of a two piece rear driveshaft.
Not on every vehicle: Only on trucks with the two piece rear driveshaft (the long wheelbase club and quad cabs). The drawn quad cab short bed and most regular cabs have a one piece shaft.
We don't carry a center support bearing for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
Rear Suspension
33 Rear Axle
A solid 9.25 inch rear axle with the differential in the middle, carried on the leaf springs.
We don't carry a rear axle for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
34 Rear Leaf Spring (driver and passenger side)
A leaf spring on each side carries the rear axle. Its front eye bolts to a fixed hanger and its rear eye to a shackle.
35 Leaf Spring Bushings (driver and passenger side)
Rubber bushings in the spring eyes and the shackle.
Signs of wear: Squeaks or clunks from the rear, or the axle shifting under load.
See all Rear Leaf Spring Bushings parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
36 Leaf Spring Shackle (driver and passenger side)
Two plates link the rear eye of each spring to the frame hanger, so the spring can lengthen as it flexes.
See all Rear Leaf Spring Shackles parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
37 U-Bolts and Plate (driver and passenger side)
Two U-bolts on each side clamp the leaf spring to the axle pad, with a plate under the axle.
We don't carry a u-bolts and plate for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
38 Rear Shock Absorber (driver and passenger side)
The rear shocks are staggered: the passenger shock sits ahead of the axle and the driver shock behind it.
Signs of wear: Bouncing, bottoming out, or oil on the shock body.
See all Rear Shock Absorber parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
39 Rear Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber stop on a frame bracket over the axle. It stops the axle at full compression.
We don't carry a rear bump stop for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
40 Rear Sway Bar Not on every vehicle
A bar under the rear axle with links up to the frame rails.
Not on every vehicle: Fitted to some trucks only: we list the bar's bushings for 1997 to 1999 and its links for every year, but the 1997 and 1999 crash test trucks have no rear bar. Look under the rear axle for a bar with links up to the frame rails.
41 Rear Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
A link from each end of the rear bar up to a bracket on the frame rail.
Not on every vehicle: Fitted to some trucks only: we list the bar's bushings for 1997 to 1999 and its links for every year, but the 1997 and 1999 crash test trucks have no rear bar. Look under the rear axle for a bar with links up to the frame rails.
See all Rear Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
42 Rear Sway Bar Bushings (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
Bushings that hold the rear bar in its brackets. The size must match the bar.
Not on every vehicle: Fitted to some trucks only: we list the bar's bushings for 1997 to 1999 and its links for every year, but the 1997 and 1999 crash test trucks have no rear bar. Look under the rear axle for a bar with links up to the frame rails.
See all Rear Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
Brakes and Hubs
27 Front Rotor and Hub (driver and passenger side)
On the 1994 to 1999 2WD truck the front rotor and the wheel hub are one casting. It turns on two tapered bearings on the knuckle's spindle, and the wheel bolts to its five studs.
Signs of wear: Pulsing in the brake pedal, grooves on the rotor faces, or a rough wheel bearing.
Tip: Repack or replace the wheel bearings and seal when fitting a new rotor and hub.
See all Front Brake Rotor and Hub Assembly parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
28 Front Wheel Bearing (driver and passenger side)
Tapered roller bearings inside the rotor and hub, an inner and an outer on each side, with a grease seal behind the inner bearing.
Signs of wear: A hum or growl that changes with speed, or play in the wheel.
Tip: Adjust the bearing preload with the spindle nut, then fit a new cotter pin.
See all Front Wheel Bearing Assembly parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
29 Front Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
The caliper sits at the back of each front rotor and squeezes the pads with its piston.
See all Front Brake Caliper parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
30 Front Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
One pad each side of the rotor, held in the caliper.
See all Front Brake Pads parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
31 Rear Brake Drum (driver and passenger side)
An 11 inch drum over the brake shoes at each end of the rear axle.
We don't carry a rear brake drum for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
32 Rear Brake Shoes (driver and passenger side)
Two shoes inside each rear drum, pushed out against the drum by the wheel cylinder.
Tip: 1994 to 1999 trucks have 11 x 2 inch brakes. 2000 and 2001 trucks use wider shoes.
See all Rear Brake Shoes parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
Body and Mounts
43 Body Mounts Not on every vehicle
Rubber mounts between the frame and the cab and bed.
Not on every vehicle: The number of body mounts and where they sit depend on the cab: the regular cab kit covers 6 mount positions and the club and quad cab kit covers 8. Kits for both cabs are listed here, so choose the one that matches your cab.
Signs of wear: Clunks from the cab, or a cab that shifts on the frame.
See all Body Mount Bushings Kit parts for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD
Questions about the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD suspension
Does the 1998 Ram 1500 2WD have a front track bar?
No. The track bar locates the solid front axle of the 4x4 truck. The 2WD truck has an independent front with control arms, so it has no track bar or track bar bushings.
Which steering parts wear on a second generation Ram 1500 2WD?
Check the inner and outer tie rod ends, the idler arm, the pitman arm and the center link. Play at any of them shows up as wander, a loose steering wheel or uneven tire wear. Have the toe set after replacing a tie rod end.
Do the 1994 to 1999 front end parts fit a 2000 or 2001 Ram 1500 2WD?
Mostly not. For 2000 the 2WD truck changed to bolt-on ball joints and new control arms, tie rods, pitman and idler arms, rotors, pads and rear brake shoes. Order by year.
Does the 1998 Ram 1500 2WD have a rear sway bar?
Some do. We list rear sway bar bushings for 1997 to 1999 trucks and links for every year, but many trucks have none. Look under the rear axle for a bar with links up to the frame rails.
Which years share this suspension?
The 1994 to 1999 Ram 1500 2WD shares these control arms, ball joints, tie rods, steering arms and brakes. The center link is listed for 1995 to 1999, and the U-joints changed in 1998 and 1999, so check the year on those parts.
Printable 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD suspension diagrams
Numbered diagrams to print or save for the shop. The numbers match the numbered parts on the interactive diagram.
