2004.5-2007 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Steering Parts

Steering on the 2004.5-2007 Ram 5.9L Cummins

Third-gen Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4s steer through a Delphi recirculating-ball box, a pitman arm and what Chrysler calls a Y-type linkage. The drag link runs from the pitman arm to the passenger knuckle, and the left tie rod joins the drag link instead of running knuckle to knuckle. The tubes are 1.25 inches, and toe changes as the suspension moves. During 2008 Chrysler went to a T-type linkage with 1.5-inch tubes and a rigid tie rod, so toe holds steady. Side to side, the axle is located by a two-eye track bar, a big improvement over the ball-stud bar on the second-gen trucks. The power steering pump does double duty: it also feeds the hydro-boost brake assist, so a weak pump shows up as heavy steering and a hard brake pedal at the same time. These trucks were sold as Dodge Ram; the catalog files them under RAM, and the Cummins hub has parts for the rest of the platform.

What fails and why

Start with the recalls. NHTSA campaign 13V528000 (Chrysler N62) covers left tie rod assembly breakage on 2003-2008 Ram 2500/3500 4x4s and supersedes an earlier campaign, 11V350000. When one lets go, owners report a loss of directional stability at the left front wheel. Run your VIN for open recalls before you spend money on linkage.

Death wobble is the other big one: a violent shake at 45-75 mph after a bump that does not stop until you slow down, usually with wander and clunking before it starts. It comes from play in the track bar, tie rod ends, ball joints or steering box, or from worn tires or a tired damper, and no single part cures every truck. Y-type tie rod ends wear out with age, and sloppy steering, wander and uneven tire wear are documented around 150,000 miles or ten years. The Delphi box has its own record, with sector-shaft play and an unsupported output shaft cited, which shows up as play at the wheel and wander on high-mileage trucks. On a lifted truck, look hard at the pitman arm: aftermarket arms from Fabtech and Superlift were recalled for cracking on 2003-2007 trucks.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

If the truck sits at stock height and only one part is worn, replace that part and get an alignment. The preferred numbers for a 2003+ 4x4 are toe at 0 degrees (or +0.10 total toe-in), camber 0 plus or minus 0.20, and caster 4.0-4.5 degrees positive, or 5-5.25 with a 0-2 inch leveling kit. If the whole front end is tired, a common fix is the Mopar T-type linkage, which retrofits to 2003-2008 trucks with stiffer 1.5-inch tubes, constant toe and the same factory toe spec. Dealers install it often. It needs the matching pitman arm (68039930AA) and new nuts, and stabilizer clamps differ for the bigger tube. Dual stabilizers work with either linkage when you use the right clamps. Treat a damper as support, not a cure: a worn one adds to death wobble but is rarely the only cause.

What we carry

For the pump side, XDP has new power steering pumps: the XD737 comes with a reservoir, and the XD738 adds the pulley, so check the year range on each listing. XDP's XD750 Stock+ is a new replacement gearbox for 4WD trucks. BD Diesel covers the front end with an adjustable track bar, a replacement bushing kit and a steering box stabilizer. BDS Suspension offers a 5-inch drop pitman arm for lifted 4WD trucks, a dual stabilizer kit with NX2 shocks and a dual stabilizer mounting kit for Y-style steering. Bilstein has its B8 5100 steering damper for 2003-2007.5 5.9L 4WD trucks, and Lucas Oil power steering fluid rounds it out.

Fitment notes

Most parts here are listed for 4WD trucks, so a 2WD owner needs to read each listing. The 2007 model year includes both 5.9L and 6.7L trucks; this page is for the 5.9L, so go by the engine, not the year. The BDS mounting kit is built for Y-style steering, and a truck already converted to T-type needs clamps for the 1.5-inch tube. A retrofitted T-type linkage is not tracked by VIN, and some 2003-2008 retrofits received pre-N49 (13V529) linkage, so owners of converted trucks need to track the 2008-2012 steering recalls themselves. Verify by VIN, or use the fitment checker on any product page.

Frequently asked questions

What causes death wobble on a 2004.5-2007 Ram 2500 or 3500?

Play in the front end. The usual suspects are the track bar, tie rod ends, ball joints and steering box, plus worn tires or a tired damper. No single part cures every truck, so inspect the whole front end before you buy anything. A new damper alone rarely fixes it.

Is there a recall on the tie rod?

Yes. NHTSA campaign 13V528000 (Chrysler N62) covers left tie rod assembly breakage on 2003-2008 Ram 2500/3500 4x4s. Run your VIN for open recalls before you replace linkage on your own dime.

Why do my steering and brakes both feel heavy?

On these trucks the power steering pump also feeds the hydro-boost brake assist. When pump output drops, you feel it in the wheel and in the pedal at the same time. Start with the pump side before you chase the brakes; the new XDP pumps in this collection are listed by year range.

Is the factory steering box a weak point?

The Delphi gear used 2003-2009 has known reliability issues, with sector-shaft play and an unsupported output shaft cited. On a high-mileage truck with play at the wheel that the linkage does not explain, the box is a fair suspect. XDP's XD750 Stock+ is a new replacement for 4WD trucks.

Can I put T-type steering on my 2005 Ram?

Yes. The Mopar T-type linkage retrofits to 2003-2008 2500/3500 trucks and keeps the factory toe spec. It needs the matching 68039930AA pitman arm and new nuts, and your stabilizer clamps change for the 1.5-inch tube.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.