The steering shock on a Dodge 2500 is also known as the steering damper, or "fifth shock." Many aftermarket companies offer steering dampers at prices ranging from $20 to $325. The steering damper on the Dodge 2500 is designed to assist the power steering unit of trucks with oversize tires. The Dodge Ram 2500 began production in 1995 at a 3,900-pound average curb weight. The gross vehicle weight rating on the 2005 to present Dodge Ram 2500 is 8,650 pounds on average. The steering shock on the post-2005 Ram 2500 has a much harder job.
Climb underneath the front of the vehicle and position your body so that you can reach the steering damper. The steering damper is located between the axle housing and the tie rod on the passenger's side of the vehicle.
Remove the steering damper bolt attached to the passenger's side axle housing with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Use a metal extension bar over the 3/8-drive ratchet handle if you need more leverage on the bolt.
Detach the steering damper from the tie rod bar. The tie rod is the bar that runs from wheel to wheel and is attached to the damper. Use the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the bolt while simultaneously holding the nut with an open-end wrench. Slide the bolt out of the assembly once the nut has been removed.
Remove the old steering damper. Lubricate the bolt with axle or caliper lube grease. Install the fat end of the damper to the tie rod first. Align the fat end of the damper with the tie rod and slide the bolt through both the tie rod and the steering damper mounting holes. Spin the nut on by hand first. Tighten the bolt and nut with a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket on the bolt and an open-end wrench on the nut. Tighten the nut and bolt combination to approximately 90 foot-pounds of torque.
Lubricate the front of the axle housing at the steering damper mounting hole. Align the steering damper with the axle housing bolt hole. Lubricate the bolt with axle grease prior to insertion. Push the bolt through the steering damper mounting hole and tighten it into the bolt hole on the axle housing. Use the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and tighten the bolt to approximately 90 foot-pounds of torque.
