Front End Steering Rebuild Kits
Package kits bundle the wearing steering parts and ball joints. The 1st design kit is for the factory Y style linkage, the 2nd design kit for the T style linkage with the bracket-mounted damper.
This interactive diagram shows the front suspension, steering linkage, driveline and rear suspension of the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4. 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.
We carry parts for it Not stocked yet Hover or tap any part.
The 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500 4WD uses a solid front axle on coil springs, located by upper and lower control arms and a track bar. The factory steering is the Y style linkage, with the drag link running to the passenger side knuckle and the steering damper in a tapered hole in the left tie rod. Many trucks now have the later T style linkage with a bracket-mounted damper, and its parts are listed under the diagram. The rear is a solid axle on leaf springs with staggered shocks.
We carry replacement parts for 41 of the 57 components on this diagram, 149 parts in all. See every part for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD.
Package kits bundle the wearing steering parts and ball joints. The 1st design kit is for the factory Y style linkage, the 2nd design kit for the T style linkage with the bracket-mounted damper.
Front and rear shock sets for the whole truck.
One kit with the suspension bushings and bump stops for the whole truck.
Every U-joint for the truck in one order. Check the engine and driveshaft notes on each package.
Spacers on the front coil springs that raise the front to level the truck.
Spacers at every body mount that raise the cab and bed on the frame.
The upper ball joint is the top pivot of the steering knuckle. It sits in the axle yoke and lets the knuckle turn left and right.
Signs of wear: Wandering, a clunk over bumps, uneven tire wear, or play when the tire is rocked top to bottom with the front lifted.
Tip: Offset upper joints are sold in degree steps to correct camber and caster on leveled or lifted trucks. Replace both sides and get an alignment.
See all Front Upper Ball Joint parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The lower ball joint is the bottom pivot of the steering knuckle, pressed into the axle yoke below the axle shaft U-joint.
Signs of wear: Clunks, loose steering, or play at the bottom of the tire with the front lifted.
Tip: Upper and lower joints are usually replaced together, because the knuckle has to come off for both.
See all Front Lower Ball Joint parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A stamped arm that runs back from the top of the axle to a frame bracket. With the lower arm it holds the axle in place front to back and sets the caster angle.
Signs of wear: Clunks on braking or over bumps, torn bushings, or caster that will not stay in spec.
Tip: Adjustable upper arms are a common way to correct caster after a lift.
See all Front Control Arm parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A straight tubular arm from the bottom of the axle back to a frame bracket. The axle end bolts through an eccentric cam that sets the axle's pinion angle.
Signs of wear: Clunks, a shimmy after bumps, or torn bushings at either end.
Tip: Mark the cam bolt position before removing the arm so the pinion angle goes back where it was.
See all Front Control Arm parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Rubber or polyurethane bushings pressed into each end of the upper arm.
Signs of wear: Clunks on braking, cracked or split rubber, or a front end that wanders.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Bushings pressed into each end of the lower arm. They carry braking and acceleration loads between the axle and the frame.
Signs of wear: Clunks when braking or accelerating, or rubber pushed out of the arm eye.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Eccentric cam bolts through the axle end of the lower arms. Turning them rotates the axle to set the pinion angle and caster.
Signs of wear: Caster that cannot be set, a vibration after a lift, or seized and rusted cam bolts.
Tip: Replace seized cam bolts with a kit rather than forcing them.
See all Front End Alignment Kit parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The cast knuckle turns on the ball joints at the end of the axle. It carries the hub, the brake caliper and the steering arm.
Signs of wear: Rarely wears out. Replace it after damage, or if a tapered ball joint or tie rod hole is worn.
The solid front axle (AAM 9.25 in) with the differential toward the driver side. The coil springs, control arms, track bar and steering damper all mount to it.
Signs of wear: Leaks at the axle seals or the differential cover, or noise from the differential.
A coil spring sits on a seat on top of the axle at each side and holds up the front of the truck. The shock runs up through the middle of it.
Signs of wear: A front end that sits low or leans, a broken coil end, or a hard thud over bumps.
Tip: Leveling kits raise the front by adding a spacer on the coil. Our leveling kits are listed with the kits.
A rubber seat with a steel stud ring between the top of the coil spring and the coil tower. It keeps the spring from rattling against the frame.
Signs of wear: Squeaks or creaks over bumps and while turning, or a cracked isolator.
Tip: Replace isolators when the springs are out for a leveling kit or new shocks.
See all Front Coil Spring Isolator Pads parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A rubber stop that fits into a cup under the frame rail. It cushions the axle at full compression.
Signs of wear: A harsh bang over big bumps, or a missing or torn stop.
Tip: Lifted trucks often add an extension so the stop still meets the axle.
See all Front Bump Stops parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The front shock sits inside the coil spring. Its top stem bolts to the coil tower and its eye bolts to the axle.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, nose dive when braking, leaks, or cupped tires.
Tip: On the 5.7 and 5.9 engines the top nuts are reached from under the hood.
See all Front Shock Absorber parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A torsion bar that runs across the front under the frame rails. Its arms reach back to links on the axle and resist body roll in turns.
Signs of wear: Body lean in turns, or clunks from the bar's bushings and links.
Tip: Some trucks have an electronic disconnecting bar. Its links and track bar differ, see the notes on those parts.
Two rubber bushings in brackets on the bottom of the frame rails hold the sway bar. The bar is 32 mm (1.26 in) here.
Signs of wear: Clunks or squeaks over bumps and on turn in, or a bar that has moved sideways.
Tip: Match the bushing to the 32 mm bar size.
See all Front Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A vertical link from the end of each sway bar arm down to a bracket on the axle.
Signs of wear: Rattles or clunks over small bumps, or a broken link.
Tip: Trucks with the electronic disconnecting sway bar use a different link. Check which bar your truck has.
See all Front Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The track bar runs across the truck from a bracket on the driver side frame rail to the passenger end of the axle. It keeps the axle centered under the truck.
Signs of wear: Wandering, a clunk when turning the wheel with the truck parked, or a hard shake after a bump.
Tip: Two stock track bars fit: a gentle S bar for trucks without a disconnecting sway bar, and a double bend bar for trucks with one. The gentle S bar is drawn.
See all Front Track Bar parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Bushings in the eyes at each end of the track bar.
Signs of wear: A clunk or side to side shift felt when turning the wheel with the truck parked.
Tip: Track bar parts changed between 2006 and 2008, so check the listing against your build date.
See all Front Track Arm Bar Bushings parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
On the factory Y style linkage this long rod runs from the passenger side steering arm toward the pitman arm. The left tie rod plugs into it near the passenger knuckle.
Signs of wear: Play in the steering wheel, wandering, or a torn boot on the rod end.
Tip: This is the tapered hole damper (Y style) part. Trucks with the bracket-mounted damper use a different rod, listed below the diagram.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The short end that joins the long right tie rod to the pitman arm through an adjusting sleeve.
Signs of wear: Steering play, a clunk when turning the wheel with the truck parked, or a loose stud at the pitman arm.
Tip: Center the steering wheel with the sleeve after replacing it, then get an alignment.
See all Tie Rod Drag Link parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The long left rod. Its stud end plugs into the right tie rod near the passenger knuckle, and the steering damper mounts in a tapered hole in it.
Signs of wear: Play in the steering, a worn stud at the junction, or uneven tire wear.
See all Front Inner Tie Rod End parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The short end that joins the left tie rod to the driver side steering arm through an adjusting sleeve.
Signs of wear: Play at the driver wheel, a torn boot, or toe that will not hold.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Threaded tubes with clamps that join each long rod to its short end. Turning them sets the toe and centers the steering wheel.
Signs of wear: Rusted, seized or bent sleeves, or a steering wheel that is off center.
Tip: The Y style linkage uses the same sleeve in both places.
See all Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The forged arm on the steering gear's output shaft. It swings to push and pull the drag link.
Signs of wear: Play between the steering wheel and the wheels, or a worn tapered hole.
Tip: Moog lists its arm for the bracket-mounted damper trucks, while Mevotech lists the same arm for both linkages.
A shock absorber for the steering. On the factory Y style linkage its stud goes through a tapered hole in the left tie rod and its other end bolts to a bracket on the axle.
Signs of wear: Shimmy or wobble after bumps, kickback through the wheel, or a leaking damper.
Tip: A damper hides worn steering and track bar parts. Check those first when chasing a wobble.
See all Steering Damper parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
On the T style linkage one tie rod runs across from one steering arm to the other, joined by an adjusting sleeve, and the drag link connects to it.
Not on every vehicle: Trucks with the T style linkage and bracket-mounted steering damper. The factory Y style linkage with a tapered hole damper mount is the one drawn; many earlier trucks were converted at the dealer, and later 2008 trucks were built with the T style. Check how your damper mounts.
Signs of wear: Play in the steering, wandering, or a torn boot on a rod end.
Tip: These parts fit only the T style linkage with the bracket-mounted damper. They are listed here, not drawn.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
On the T style linkage the drag link runs from the pitman arm to the tie rod near the passenger knuckle, with an adjusting sleeve between its two ends.
Not on every vehicle: Trucks with the T style linkage and bracket-mounted steering damper. The factory Y style linkage with a tapered hole damper mount is the one drawn; many earlier trucks were converted at the dealer, and later 2008 trucks were built with the T style. Check how your damper mounts.
Signs of wear: Steering play, or a clunk when turning the wheel with the truck parked.
Tip: These parts fit only the T style linkage. They are listed here, not drawn.
See all Tie Rod Drag Link parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The steering damper used with the T style linkage, mounted on a bracket on the tie rod.
Not on every vehicle: Trucks with the T style linkage and bracket-mounted steering damper. The factory Y style linkage with a tapered hole damper mount is the one drawn; many earlier trucks were converted at the dealer, and later 2008 trucks were built with the T style. Check how your damper mounts.
Signs of wear: Shimmy or wobble after bumps, or a leaking damper.
Tip: Listed here, not drawn.
See all Steering Damper parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A complete kit that replaces the factory Y style linkage with the later T style linkage, including the pitman arm and the steering damper.
Not on every vehicle: Fits trucks with the factory Y style linkage that are being converted to the T style linkage.
Signs of wear: Worth considering when several Y style parts are worn at once.
Tip: Listed here, not drawn.
The U-joint in each front axle shaft, at the steering knuckle. It lets the wheel turn while the axle drives it.
Signs of wear: Clicking or binding when turning in four wheel drive, a squeak, or rust dust around the caps.
Tip: Both sides use the same joint. The hub comes off to reach it.
The front driveshaft runs on the driver side from the transfer case to the front differential.
Signs of wear: Vibration in four wheel drive, or clunks from a worn joint.
The U-joint at the front differential end of the front driveshaft.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting into four wheel drive, or vibration.
A CV joint at the transfer case end of the front driveshaft. The CV head uses two U-joints.
Signs of wear: Vibration that changes with speed, or a squeak from the joint.
Tip: Count the joints you need: the CV head uses two.
The rear driveshaft. The three joint version is two pieces with a center support bearing; some trucks have a one piece, two joint shaft.
Signs of wear: Vibration on takeoff or at speed.
The front U-joint of the rear driveshaft, at the transfer case.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting into gear, or vibration.
The middle U-joint, just behind the center support bearing, on trucks with the three joint shaft.
Not on every vehicle: Only on trucks with the two piece (three joint) rear driveshaft, the 160.5 in wheelbase quad cab long bed and Mega Cab. 140.5 in trucks (regular cab long bed, quad cab short bed) have a one piece shaft with no center bearing.
Signs of wear: Vibration that comes and goes with load.
The U-joint at the rear differential end of the rear driveshaft.
Signs of wear: A clunk on takeoff, a squeak, or rust dust around the caps.
Tip: Rear joints come in 1-3/16 in and 1-3/8 in cap sizes depending on engine and transmission. Check the fit notes.
Holds the middle of the two piece rear driveshaft to a crossmember.
Not on every vehicle: Only on trucks with the two piece (three joint) rear driveshaft, the 160.5 in wheelbase quad cab long bed and Mega Cab. 140.5 in trucks (regular cab long bed, quad cab short bed) have a one piece shaft with no center bearing.
Signs of wear: A rumble or vibration at speed, or a torn rubber mount.
The solid rear axle. Diesel trucks use the AAM 11.5 in full floating axle drawn here; gas trucks typically use the 10.5 in axle.
Signs of wear: Leaks at the cover or axle seals, or gear whine.
A multi leaf spring each side, clamped on top of the axle with U-bolts. The front eye bolts to a fixed hanger and the rear eye to a shackle.
Signs of wear: A sagging rear, a broken leaf, or a spring that has shifted on the axle.
Bushings in the spring eyes at the front hanger and the rear shackle.
Signs of wear: Squeaks over bumps, clunks on takeoff, or rubber pushed out of the eye.
See all Rear Leaf Spring Bushings parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The link at the rear of each spring that lets the spring grow longer as it flexes.
Signs of wear: Squeaks, a clunk, or a worn or cracked shackle.
Two U-bolts each side clamp the spring to the axle perch with a plate underneath.
Signs of wear: A spring that has shifted on the axle, or loose U-bolt nuts.
Tip: Gas and diesel trucks use different U-bolt sizes. Use new U-bolts when the spring is removed.
The rear shocks are staggered: the passenger shock sits ahead of the axle and the driver shock behind it.
Signs of wear: Bouncing, a rear that squats or floats, or leaks.
See all Rear Shock Absorber parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A rubber stop on a bracket under each frame rail, above the leaf spring.
Signs of wear: A hard bang when loaded, or a torn or missing stop.
See all Rear Bump Stops parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
An aftermarket rear sway bar, clamped to the axle with links up to the frame rails. These trucks were not built with one.
Not on every vehicle: No factory rear sway bar is listed for these trucks; the Mopar parts catalog has none for any 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500. Fits trucks with an added aftermarket rear bar.
Signs of wear: Body roll at the rear, or clunks from the links.
Tip: Not drawn: the factory truck has no rear bar. Look for links hanging from the frame rails behind the axle if one was added.
Links from each end of an added rear sway bar up to brackets on the frame rails.
Not on every vehicle: No factory rear sway bar is listed for these trucks; the Mopar parts catalog has none for any 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500. Fits trucks with an added aftermarket rear bar.
Signs of wear: Rattles over small bumps, or a broken link.
Tip: Not drawn.
Bushings that clamp an added rear sway bar to the axle.
Not on every vehicle: No factory rear sway bar is listed for these trucks; the Mopar parts catalog has none for any 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500. Fits trucks with an added aftermarket rear bar.
Signs of wear: Clunks or squeaks from the rear over bumps.
Tip: Not drawn.
A sealed bearing and hub unit bolted to the knuckle, with eight wheel studs. The axle shaft drives it through a splined center.
Signs of wear: A hum or growl that changes with speed, play in the wheel, or an ABS light.
Tip: Hubs with and without the ABS sensor are listed. Check which one your truck needs.
See all Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A vented 353 mm rotor that slips over the hub studs.
Signs of wear: A pulsing pedal, grooves or rust ridges, or thickness under the minimum.
See all Front Brake Rotor parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The caliper sits at the back of each front rotor and squeezes the pads with its pistons.
Signs of wear: Pulling while braking, a dragging wheel, leaks, or uneven pad wear.
See all Front Brake Caliper parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
One pad each side of the rotor, held in the caliper.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or a long pedal.
See all Front Brake Pads parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
A 352 mm rear rotor. The inside of its hat is the drum for the parking brake shoes.
Signs of wear: A pulsing pedal or worn friction faces.
See all Rear Brake Rotor parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
The caliper sits behind each rear rotor, toward the bottom.
Signs of wear: Pulling, a dragging wheel, or leaks.
See all Rear Brake Caliper parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
One pad each side of the rear rotor.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or low pad material.
See all Rear Brake Pads parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Small brake shoes inside the rear rotor hat. They hold the truck when the parking brake is set.
Signs of wear: A parking brake that will not hold the truck on a slope.
See all Parking Brake Shoes parts for the 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4WD
Rubber mounts between the frame and the cab and bed: a core support mount ahead of the front wheels, cab mounts and bed mounts. The count changes with cab and bed length.
Signs of wear: Clunks from under the cab, a cab that shifts on the frame, or crushed or cracked rubber.
Tip: Body lift kits replace or space these mounts.
Look at how the steering damper attaches to the tie rod. On the factory Y style linkage its stud goes through a tapered hole in the tie rod. On the T style linkage it bolts to a clamp-on bracket. The year alone can't tell you, because many trucks were converted to the T style when a tie rod end was replaced.
A violent shake after a bump usually comes from worn steering or track bar parts: tie rod ends, the drag link end, the track bar bushings or ball joint, and the ball joints. A new steering damper can hide it for a while, but check those parts first.
Not from the factory. The factory parts catalog lists no rear sway bar for the 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500, and the trucks we checked have none. Many owners add an aftermarket bar; if yours has one, its links hang from the frame rails behind the rear axle.
Yes. Replacing tie rods, the drag link, ball joints or control arms changes the alignment. Toe is set at the tie rod sleeves, and caster is set with the cam bolts at the axle end of the lower control arms.
The 2003 to 2008 Ram 2500 4WD shares this layout. Parts can still change by engine, cab, sway bar type and build date, so the parts shown here are the ones listed for the 2006 4WD truck.
Numbered diagrams to print or save for the shop. The numbers match the numbered parts on the interactive diagram.