2012 Ram 1500 is still DS 4th gen, but 5-lug vs 8-lug changes the lower arms, inners, and some hubs. 4×4 press-in lowers match the later trucks. This is not a 2019+ 5th-gen DT, Rebel, or TRX, and it is not Ram 2500/3500 solid-axle steering.
4×4 and 4×2 air-suspension trucks share a lot of the front end. Coil-spring 4×2 uses different lower arms. A clunk at low speed is usually a ball joint or sway link. Wander or inner-edge tire wear is more often a tie rod or a worn control-arm bushing. Most people replace the control arm as a complete unit with the ball joint already pressed in.
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Jump to: Shop notes · Works Kit · Front · Steering · Rear · Fitment notes
Leveling the rake? Compare ReadyLIFT, Rough Country, and Daystar 2″ kits for this generation: 2009–2018 Ram 1500 2 Inch Leveling Kit.
DS Ram 1500 (2011–2012) shop notes — 2012
2012 Ram 1500 suspension — DS early shop focus
Model-year 2012 sits in the DS early Ram 1500 window (2009–2012). It is not 2002–2008 DR/DH, not 2500/3500.
Catalog applications for DS early (2009–2012) often repeat the same SKUs across adjacent years in this generation — that is expected. This URL stays year-specific for 2012 with a self-canonical and year-locked heading/links. On-page catalog SKUs called out here include MOOG front, MOOG K100316, MOOG K80894, MOOG ES80574, MOOG EV800098, MOOG K100115, MOOG K500286, MOOG K7411 — use only these rows (and the lists below), not torque charts we do not publish. Cross-shop the same model year: 2012 Ram 1500 brake parts · 2012 Ram 1500 shock parts.
These are shop notes for the early 4th-gen DS Ram 1500 (2012). 2011–2012 still differ from the 2013–2018 steering list (and 2011 hubs differ). They are not for 2019+ DT, Rebel/TRX, or Ram 2500/3500.
What usually brings people here
- Low-speed clunk over bumps or driveways → ball joint or sway link (K100316 / K80894). Most shops prefer replacing the control arm as a complete unit with the joint already pressed in.
- Wander, loose steering feel, or inner-edge tire wear → outer/inner tie rod (ES80574 / EV800098) or a worn control-arm bushing.
- Growl or rumble that rises with road speed → wheel hub/bearing (515151).
Upper ball joint choice
Stock-style adjustable upper: K100316. If you need more adjustment room after a mild lift or stubborn alignment, Moog’s Problem Solver K100115 is the usual upgrade path — confirm your upper-arm style before ordering.
Steering on this year uses outer ES80574 and inner EV800098. Replace as a pair when play is present; an alignment is required after tie-rod work.
Fitment forks on this page
- Lower, press-in, 4×4: K500286
- Lower, 4×2 (2012: 5-lug): K7411
- At shock (split, 4×4): K200688
- Lower rear (4×4): K200184
- Lower front (4×4): K200185
- Lower (4×2, 8-lug): K200114
While you’re in there
While you’re tearing into the front end, inspect the matching side and the sway-bar links — one-sided wear is common after a hit or a long alignment delay. Confirm the hub (515151) if you have a growl that rises with road speed. If brakes are next on the list, see 2012 Ram 1500 brake parts for rotor/pad notes and hose caveats before you box everything up.
Shop notes only — not a service manual. Use the factory procedure or a Haynes/Chilton manual for wrench work, torque, and safety steps. Leave a comment with drivetrain, suspension type, and the symptom if you want a part-number check.
Works Kit — 2012 Ram 1500 front-end (DS early 2011–2012 · not 2013–2018 steering list · not DT · order it all once, do it right)
Most owners who chase one clunk or one worn tie rod end up back under the truck. These stacks use the Moog numbers already on this page — confirm 4×4 vs 4×2 before checkout.
1. Clunk / sway kit (both sides)
- Sway bar links ×2 — K80894
- Optional if joints are loose: lower BJ press-in (4×4) — K500286 ×2 · or replace the lower arms complete (L RK641504 / R RK621602)
2. Wander / tire-wear kit (both sides)
- Outer tie rods ×2 — ES80574
- Inner tie rods ×2 — EV800098
- Alignment after install. Stubborn camber/caster: upper BJ K100316 or Problem Solver K100115
3. Hub growl add-on
- Wheel hub/bearing — 515151 (replace the noisy side; many shops do both fronts while the truck is up)
4×2 lower-arm note: coil 4×2 arms on this early DS list are L RK621606 / R RK621605 — not the later 2013–2018 coil numbers.
Search Amazon for a 2012 Ram 1500 front-end kit · or open each SKU above. Full lists are below.
2012 Ram 1500 front suspension
Ball joints
- Upper, 5-lug (adjustable, ±2.25°): K100316
- Upper, 5-lug Problem Solver (±3°, greaseable): K100115
- Lower, press-in, 4×4: K500286
- Lower, 4×2 (2012: 5-lug): K7411
Control arm bushings
- At shock (split, 4×4): K200688
- Lower rear (4×4): K200184
- Lower front (4×4): K200185
- Upper kit (8-lug): K200115
- Lower (4×2, 8-lug): K200114
Control arms with ball joint
- Lower, 4×4: left RK641504, right RK621602
- Upper, forged: left RK620634, right RK621897
- Lower, 4×2 5-lug: left RK621606, right RK621605
- Lower, 4×2 8-lug: left RK621265, right RK621264
- Upper, 8-lug: CK620181 or R-Series RK620181
- Upper, stamped, air suspension: RK643074
Strut, sway bar, hub
- Strut/spring/mount assembly, 4×4 except air: ST8606
- Strut bumper bellows, 4×4 except air: K201301
- Strut bushing, lower, 4×4: K160326
- Strut mount with spring seat, 4×4 except air: K160196
- Sway bar to frame, 4×4, 32mm improved: K201621 or standard K7353
- Sway bar to frame, 4×4, 36.8mm: K7384
- Sway bar link, 4×4: K80894
- Sway bar link, 4×2 optional: K7400
- Sway bar link, 4×2: K750157
- Sway bar repair bushing kit: K7300
- Wheel hub: 515151
2012 Ram 1500 steering
2012 Ram 1500 rear suspension
- Upper control arm: RK642211
- Lower control arm: RK643104
- Rear sway bar link: K750396
- Track bar: RK661215
Fitment notes
These Moog numbers come from the 2007–2018 catalog’s Ram 1500 DS rows that include 2012. Do not use them on a 2019+ 5th-gen (DT) Ram 1500 unless it is a Classic. Measure the sway-bar diameter before ordering the frame bushing (32mm vs 36.8mm).
Diagrams for figures F335, F338, F339, F600, S094, and S322 are on the Ram 1500 catalog page. Related: how to diagnose suspension noises. The 2020 Ram 1500 5-inch lift kit is a different generation (DT), not this 2012 DS truck.
Related: 2012 Ram 1500 shock parts.
Leave a comment with 4×2 vs 4×4, coil vs air, and the noise if you want a part-number check. #HAPPYMOTORING
Need pads and rotors? See 2012 Ram 1500 brake parts.