2007.5-2009 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Steering Parts

Steering on the 2007.5-2009 Ram 6.7L Cummins

These trucks were sold as the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500, the last of the third-generation heavy-duty body. The 6.7L Cummins arrived mid-2007, but the frame, front suspension and axles carried over from the 2006-2007 trucks, which is why so many parts here are listed for 2003-2008 or longer. On a 4x4, steering runs through a frame-mounted recirculating-ball gearbox. A pitman arm on the gearbox drives a drag link to the knuckle, a tie rod runs across the solid front axle, and a track bar keeps the axle centered under the truck. Through early 2008 the linkage was the Y-link layout. During 2008 Chrysler changed to the stronger T-style geometry with a different pitman arm. Two-wheel-drive trucks are listed with power rack-and-pinion steering instead, so the 4WD gearboxes, pitman arms and damper kits on this page are not for them.

What fails and why

Steering draws more owner complaints than any other system on this platform, and the front linkage carries several safety recalls. Recall 09V005000 covers a drag link that may fracture on 2008-2009 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. Recall 11V350000 covers the left tie rod ball stud on 2008-2011 4x4s, and recalls 13V528000 and 13V529000 cover the left tie rod assembly on 2003-2008 and 2008-2012 4x4s. Warning signs are a clunk, loose steering or, at worst, sudden loss of steering on the left front. On any 2008-2009 truck, confirm those recalls were done before you buy linkage parts.

The other big one is death wobble: violent shaking of the front end that starts after a bump at speed and only stops when you slow down. It is a top owner complaint on the 2008 Ram 3500. The track bar is the leading factor, and the steering damper is the second. A damper alone will not cure wobble, and a cheap one can make it worse. At high mileage, owners also report steering box leaks and sector-shaft play, which show up as wander, a clunk in the wheel, fluid loss and slack at center. Lifted trucks need one more look: certain Fabtech aftermarket pitman arms sold for 2003-2008 4WD Rams were recalled under 10E013000 because they could fracture.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

If the truck tracks straight and the problem is a leaking box or a worn-out damper, a stock-style replacement is the honest fix. A new stock-style gearbox replaces the worn one without changing the steering layout. Upgrades earn their keep when the truck tows hard, runs a lift and bigger tires, or has already shown signs of wobble. On these trucks that usually means an adjustable track bar with fresh bushings, a quality damper or dual-damper kit, a box brace to tie the gear to the frame, and a drop pitman arm when the lift calls for one. Heavy-duty gears, box braces, tie rods and track bars are all widely sold for the 2007.5-2009 trucks. For wobble, start with the track bar, then fit an IFP (internal floating piston) damper charged to at least 100 psi and mounted axle-to-tie-rod.

What we carry

BDS Suspension supplies dual steering stabilizer kits with NX2 or FOX 2.0 Performance shocks, dual-stabilizer mounting kits split by year, and 5-inch and 5.25-inch drop pitman arms. Bilstein B8 5100 Series steering dampers cover single-damper replacement, listed by year range. BD Diesel brings the 1032013-F adjustable track bar, a 16mm bushing sleeve for that kit, a replacement bushing kit, and the 1032003 steering box stabilizer. XDP Stock+ power steering gearboxes, the XD750 and XD752, are new units rather than rebuilds. Lucas Oil power steering fluid covers the top-off after a box or hose job.

Fitment notes

Read the year range in every title. Chassis parts on these trucks often span 2003-2008 or 2008-2013, and the 2008 model year straddles the Y-link to T-style change, so a 2008 truck can go either way. Identify your linkage before you order a pitman arm, a damper mount or anything that bolts to the tie rod. The XDP gearboxes split by year: the XD750 is listed for 2003-2008 4WD and the XD752 for 2009-2025 4WD. One Bilstein damper is listed for the earlier 2003-2007.5 5.9L trucks and the 33-170794 for 2008-2012 6.7L trucks, so match the number to your truck. The 5.25-inch drop pitman arm is listed for 2009-2013 2500s. The gearboxes, pitman arms, dampers and track bar here are listed for 4WD trucks. The 4500/5500 chassis cabs ride on a different chassis where most pickup parts do not interchange. When in doubt, verify by VIN.

Frequently asked questions

Is my 2008 Ram Y-link or T-style?

It depends on when the truck was built. Chrysler switched from the Y-link to the T-style linkage during the 2008 model year, so early 2008 trucks have the Y-link and later 2008.5 trucks have the T-style. Pitman arms, drag links and tie rods differ between the two. Look under the front end before ordering, or call the shop for free fitment help.

What causes death wobble on a 2007.5-2009 Ram 2500 or 3500?

Death wobble is violent front-end shaking that starts after a bump at speed and stops only when you slow down. The track bar is the biggest factor and the steering damper is second. Check the track bar and its bushings first, then fit a quality damper mounted axle-to-tie-rod. Don't count on a damper alone to fix it.

Do the tie rod recalls apply to my truck?

If it is a 2008 or 2009 Ram 2500 or 3500, check. Recall 09V005000 covers the drag link on 2008-2009 trucks, and 11V350000, 13V528000 and 13V529000 cover the left tie rod on 4x4s in overlapping year ranges. Recalls are tied to specific builds, so run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before replacing linkage yourself.

How do I know my steering box is worn?

Owners of high-mileage 2007.5-2009 trucks report box leaks and play in the sector shaft. Signs are fluid loss at the box, a clunk you feel in the wheel, wander, and slack at center. A loose tie rod end can also clunk, so inspect the linkage at the same time. XDP's new Stock+ gearboxes and BD Diesel's box stabilizer are both on this page.

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.