Front End Steering Rebuild Kits
Package kits bundle the wearing front end parts for this truck in one order, usually for less than buying them one by one.
2011 Ram 1500 4WD Suspension Diagram
This interactive diagram shows the front suspension, steering, driveline and rear suspension of the 2011 Ram 1500 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.
2011 Ram 1500 4WD Suspension Diagram (Full Chassis)
2011 Ram 1500 4WD Front Suspension and Steering Diagram
2011 Ram 1500 4WD Rear Suspension Diagram
We carry parts for it Not stocked yet Hover or tap any part.
The 2009 to 2012 Ram 1500 4WD uses independent front suspension with an aluminum lower control arm and a curved upper arm that wraps around a coilover. CV axles drive the front wheels from a frame mounted differential, and the hydraulic rack and pinion sits ahead of them on two rubber bushed mounts. The rear is a solid axle on coil springs, located by upper and lower control arms on each side and a track bar behind the axle, with the sway bar bolted to the back of the axle.
We carry replacement parts for 40 of the 46 components on this diagram, 128 parts in all. See every part for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD.
Packages and kits
Shock Absorber Sets
Front and rear shock sets for the whole truck.
Complete Coilover Assemblies
A shock, coil spring and top mount already assembled, so no spring compressor is needed. Height adjustable coilovers are here too.
Lift, Leveling and Lowering Kits
Kits that change ride height, with the spacers, shackles and brackets they need.
Front Suspension
1 Upper Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The upper ball joint is the top pivot between the upper control arm and the steering knuckle. It is pressed into the end of the upper arm, and its stud points up through the top ear of the aluminum knuckle.
Signs of wear: Clunking over bumps, wandering steering, uneven tire wear, or play when the wheel is rocked top to bottom.
Tip: Adjustable joints (offset studs) are sold for extra camber and caster after a lift or leveling kit.
See all Front Upper Ball Joint parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
2 Lower Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The lower ball joint is the bottom pivot between the aluminum lower control arm and the knuckle. Its stud points up into the bottom of the knuckle. It carries the weight of the front of the truck, so it wears first.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps, a loose feel in the front end, or play when the wheel is rocked top to bottom with the truck on a jack.
See all Front Lower Ball Joint parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
3 Upper Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
The upper control arm is a curved arm that wraps around the coilover. Its two bushings bolt to a bracket on top of the frame rail, and its ball joint holds the top of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Clunks, torn inner bushings, a worn ball joint, or an alignment that will not hold.
Tip: Moog sells the arm with the ball joint already pressed in, which saves pressing the old joint out.
4 Lower Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
The lower control arm is a wide cast aluminum A-arm. Its front and rear bushings bolt into the front crossmembers, the coilover bolts to it through a bushing near the middle, and the lower ball joint is at its outer end.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps, torn bushings, a loose ball joint, or uneven tire wear.
5 Upper Control Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The upper arm bushings are the rubber pivots where the upper control arm bolts to its bracket on the frame.
Signs of wear: Cracked or split rubber, clunks over bumps, or an alignment that wanders.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
6 Lower Control Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The lower arm bushings are the rubber pivots at the front and rear inner ends of the lower control arm, where it bolts into the crossmembers.
Signs of wear: Cracked rubber, a clunk on braking, or shimmy under load.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
7 Alignment Cam Bolts
Cam bolts replace the stock lower arm pivot bolts so caster and camber can be set past the factory range.
Signs of wear: Tire wear on one edge, or an alignment shop that cannot reach spec.
See all Front End Alignment Kit parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
8 Steering Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The steering knuckle is the aluminum upright that carries the hub, the brake caliper and the outer tie rod. The ball joints hold it at the top and bottom, and the CV axle runs through its center.
Signs of wear: Rarely a wear item. Check it after a hard curb strike.
We don't carry a steering knuckle for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
9 Front Strut Bumper (driver and passenger side)
The front bump stop is the rubber jounce bumper on the shock rod, under the top mount. It cushions the suspension at full compression.
Signs of wear: A hard bang when the front bottoms out.
We don't carry a front strut bumper for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
10 Front Shock Absorber (driver and passenger side)
The front shock is the damper inside the coilover. Its forked lower end straddles the lower control arm and bolts through a bushing in the arm, and its top plate bolts to the frame tower with three studs.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, nose dive on braking, leaking fluid, or cupped tires.
Tip: Complete coilover assemblies come with the spring and top mount already fitted, so no spring compressor is needed.
See all Front Shock Absorber parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
11 Front Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The front coil spring sits on the shock as part of the coilover, between the lower seat on the shock body and the top mount.
Signs of wear: A sagging front end, a clunk from a broken coil, or a truck that leans to one side.
12 Front Coil Spring Seat (driver and passenger side)
The coil isolator is the rubber pad between the top coil of the spring and the top mount. It stops metal to metal noise.
Signs of wear: A creak or clunk when turning or going over bumps.
See all Front Coil Spring Isolator Pads parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
13 Front Strut Mount (driver and passenger side)
The top mount is the plate at the top of the coilover. Its three studs bolt up through the frame tower, and it holds the top of the spring and the shock rod.
Signs of wear: A knock at the top of the tower, or a coilover that moves when you bounce the truck.
14 Front Sway Bar
The front sway bar runs across the truck ahead of the front crossmember. Bushings hold it to the frame, and a link at each end bolts down to the front of the lower control arm.
Signs of wear: More body roll in turns, or a clunk from a bracket.
15 Front Sway Bar Bushing
The front sway bar bushings are the rubber blocks that clamp the bar to the frame ahead of the crossmember. The size goes with the bar, which differs between coil and air suspension trucks.
Signs of wear: A squeak or clunk over bumps, or a bar that shifts side to side.
Tip: Measure the bar or check the bar size in the listing: 32 mm and 36.8 mm bars are on coil spring trucks, 33 or 34 mm on air suspension trucks.
See all Front Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
16 Front Sway Bar End Link (driver and passenger side)
The front sway bar link is a long bolt with a sleeve and rubber bushings. It ties the end of the sway bar to the front leg of the lower control arm.
Signs of wear: A rattle or clunk over small bumps.
See all Front Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
Steering
17 Outer Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The outer tie rod end joins the tie rod to the steering arm on the front of the knuckle. Its ball stud points up through the arm.
Signs of wear: Wandering, uneven tire wear, or play at the wheel when it is rocked side to side.
Tip: Count the turns when you unscrew the old end, so toe stays close until the truck is aligned.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
18 Inner Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The inner tie rod screws into the end of the steering rack under the boot. It is the inner pivot of the steering linkage.
Signs of wear: A clunk through the wheel on rough roads, or play that the outer end does not explain.
See all Front Inner Tie Rod End parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
19 Steering Rack
The steering gear is a hydraulic rack and pinion behind the forward crossmember, ahead of the CV axles. The valve housing and the two power steering lines are at the pinion on the driver side, where the steering shaft joins it, and two mounts bolt the rack to the crossmember through rubber bushings. 2013 and later trucks have an electric rack instead.
Signs of wear: Free play in the wheel, a torn boot, a power steering fluid leak at the valve or the rack ends, or a groan when turning.
We don't carry a steering rack for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
20 Steering Rack Bushings
The rack bushings sit in the two mounts that bolt the hydraulic steering rack to the front crossmember. Each mount takes a pair of flanged bushings, one from each end.
Signs of wear: A clunk or a delay in the steering when you turn the wheel back and forth, or a rack that shifts side to side when you watch it while someone turns the wheel.
Tip: Polyurethane rack bushings firm up the steering feel. Replace both mounts at the same time.
See all Steering Rack Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
Driveline
21 Front CV Axle (driver and passenger side)
The front CV axle drives each front wheel from the frame mounted front differential. It has a plunging inner joint at the differential and a fixed outer joint in the hub.
Signs of wear: Clicking on turns in four wheel drive, or grease flung from a torn boot.
See all CV Joint Parts - Front parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
22 Front Driveshaft U-Joint at Front Axle
The U-joint at the front end of the front driveshaft, where it bolts to the pinion flange of the frame mounted front differential.
Signs of wear: A clunk when four wheel drive engages, or a vibration in four wheel drive that rises with speed.
Tip: Check the joint size in the listing before you order.
We don't carry a front driveshaft u-joint at front axle for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
23 Rear Driveshaft U-Joint at Transfer Case
The U-joint at the front of the rear driveshaft.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting from park to drive, or a vibration that rises with speed.
Tip: Joint size depends on the driveline, so check your truck. Two joint and three joint shafts were both fitted.
24 Rear Driveshaft U-Joint at Support Bearing
The middle U-joint of the two piece rear driveshaft, just behind the center support bearing.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting into gear, a squeak at low speed, or vibration that rises with road speed.
25 Rear Driveshaft U-Joint at Rear Axle
The U-joint at the rear axle end of the rear driveshaft.
Signs of wear: A clunk when shifting from park to drive, or a vibration that rises with speed.
Tip: Joint size depends on the driveline, so check your truck.
Rear Suspension
34 Rear Shock Absorber (driver and passenger side)
The rear shock stands almost upright beside the rear spring. Its lower eye bolts to a bracket on the axle under the tube and its upper eye to a bracket on the frame.
Signs of wear: Bouncing, axle hop, leaking fluid, or cupped rear tires.
36 Rear Upper Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
The rear upper control arm is a straight steel arm that runs forward from the top of the axle bracket to the frame. With the lower arm and the track bar it locates the axle; there are no leaf springs.
Signs of wear: Clunks on acceleration, a rear end that steers on bumps, or torn bushings.
37 Rear Lower Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
The rear lower control arm runs forward from the bottom of the axle bracket to a bracket on the frame. It carries the axle's pull and braking force.
Signs of wear: Clunks, a rear end that shifts, or a bent arm.
38 Rear Upper Control Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The rear upper arm bushings are the rubber pivots pressed into each end of the upper control arm.
Signs of wear: Clunks and a loose rear end.
We don't carry a rear upper control arm bushing for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
39 Rear Lower Control Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The rear lower arm bushings are the rubber pivots pressed into each end of the lower control arm.
Signs of wear: Clunks under acceleration and torn rubber.
See all Rear Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
40 Rear Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The rear coil spring sits on a seat on top of the axle tube, under the frame rail, with a rubber isolator at the top. Trucks with air suspension have an air spring here instead.
Signs of wear: A rear that sags, a broken coil, or clunks from the seat.
41 Rear Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
The rear bump stop is the rubber jounce bumper under the frame rail over the axle. It stops the axle hitting the frame at full compression.
Signs of wear: A harsh bang on big bumps.
We don't carry a rear bump stop for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
42 Rear Track Bar
The rear track bar runs across the truck behind the axle, from a tall bracket on the driver side of the axle to the frame on the passenger side. It keeps the axle centered under the truck.
Signs of wear: A rear end that wanders or clunks side to side.
43 Rear Track Bar Bushing
The rear track bar bushings are the rubber pivots in each end of the track bar.
Signs of wear: Clunks when the rear shifts side to side.
See all Rear Track Arm Bar Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
44 Rear Sway Bar
The rear sway bar is bolted to the back of the axle in two bushing brackets. Its ends point back and a link at each end ties it up to the frame.
Signs of wear: More body roll, clunks, or a bent bar.
45 Rear Sway Bar Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The rear sway bar bushings clamp the bar into its brackets on the back of the axle housing.
Signs of wear: Squeaks and clunks.
See all Rear Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
46 Rear Sway Bar End Link (driver and passenger side)
The rear sway bar link ties the end of the rear sway bar up to a bracket on the frame rail.
Signs of wear: Rattles and loose studs.
See all Rear Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
Brakes and Hubs
26 Front Wheel Bearing and Hub (driver and passenger side)
The front hub is a sealed bearing and hub unit bolted to the knuckle. The CV axle splines into it and the wheel bolts to its five studs.
Signs of wear: A growl that changes when you swerve, play at the wheel, or a wheel speed sensor fault.
See all Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
27 Front Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
The 330 mm vented front rotor. It slips over the hub and is held on by the wheel.
Signs of wear: Pulsing in the pedal, grooves, or a shake when braking.
Tip: Replace in pairs.
28 Front Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
A floating caliper on a bracket bolted to the rear of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Pulling to one side when braking, a soft pedal, a stuck piston, or a fluid leak.
29 Front Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
The pads sit in the caliper bracket, one each side of the rotor. They are shown pulled out of the caliper.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or a longer stopping distance.
30 Rear Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
The 345 mm vented rear rotor, with a tall hat. A small parking brake drum is inside the hat.
Signs of wear: Pulsing in the pedal, or grooves.
Tip: Replace in pairs.
31 Rear Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
A floating aluminum caliper ahead of the axle.
Signs of wear: A stuck piston, uneven pad wear, or a fluid leak.
32 Rear Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
The rear pads, shown pulled out of the caliper.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or a dragging brake.
33 Parking Brake Shoes (driver and passenger side)
Small shoes inside the hat of the rear rotor, shown pulled out past the axle flange. They hold the truck when parked.
Signs of wear: The parking brake will not hold, or the lever travels too far.
Body and Mounts
35 Body Mounts Not on every vehicle
Rubber cushions between the frame outriggers and the body.
Not on every vehicle: The number of body mounts and where they sit depend on the cab. The kit we list fits crew cab and quad cab trucks from 2011 to 2018; it is not listed for the regular cab.
Signs of wear: A clunk or shift from the body over bumps, or a cab that sits unevenly.
See all Body Mount Bushings Kit parts for the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD
Questions about the 2011 Ram 1500 4WD suspension
What are the most common front end wear items on a 2011 Ram 1500 4x4?
Lower ball joints, upper control arms (the ball joint is part of the arm), outer tie rod ends and sway bar links are the usual ones. Check them with the wheels off the ground, because a worn joint shows up as play you can feel by hand.
Does the 2011 Ram 1500 have electric power steering?
No. 2009 to 2012 trucks have a hydraulic rack and pinion with a power steering pump. Its two mounts on the front crossmember use rubber bushings, which can wear and let the rack shift. The electric rack, and the tie rods that go with it, arrived for 2013.
Does the 2011 Ram 1500 have leaf springs in the rear?
No. The rear axle sits on coil springs and is held in place by upper and lower control arms on each side and a track bar. The short arm on top and the long arm below are different parts, so order them by position.
Do I need an alignment after replacing front end parts?
Yes. Replacing tie rods, ball joints, control arms or coilovers changes the alignment. Toe is set at the tie rods. A caster and camber kit adds adjustment range after a leveling kit or lift.
Which years share this suspension?
The 2009 to 2012 Ram 1500 4WD share this layout (2009 and 2010 trucks are badged Dodge Ram 1500). 2013 and later trucks have an electric rack, different tie rods and different rear control arms. Front hubs and CV axles changed for 2012, and early 2009 trucks built before December 8, 2008 use a different front hub, so check the notes on those parts.
Printable 2011 Ram 1500 4WD suspension diagrams
Numbered diagrams to print or save for the shop. The numbers match the numbered parts on the interactive diagram.
