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Dodge Ram 1994-Present: How to Replace Your Tire

At one point in your Dodge Ram's life, the tire will go flat and you will need to change it. Learn how to do so here.

By Neftali Medina - August 18, 2015
Contributors: Sam Leman Automotive Group

This article applies to the Dodge Ram 1500 (1994-present).

A blown tire is one of those things that can just happen, sometimes in even the best of conditions, so knowing how to replace one can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience or the early end to a night. On a Dodge Ram, the spare is held in place under the chassis of the truck. Fortunately, the truck has all the tools needed to replace a blown tire, including a jack, tire iron and wheel lock key (if applicable) in the special roadside compartment in the back of the cabin. Use the following instructions to replace the tire on your Dodge Ram.

Materials Needed

  • Tire iron
  • Truck jack
  • Spare tire

Step 1 – Remove jack assembly

If you look in your road side compartment located in the rear of the cabin, you'll find find the standard jack assembly. There are six pieces in total, all of which come together to create the tool needed to lower the spare tire and raise the truck.

Removing jack assembly from Dodge Ram
Figure 1. Remove the jack.

Step 2 – Lower spare tire

  • To lower the spare tire, take the three extensions from the jack kit and connect them together.
  • Insert the bar into the hole located above the center of the rear bumper.
  • Turn the bar clockwise and lower the spare tire.
  • Remove the bracket from the spare tire and detach it from the wench assembly.
  • Figure 2. Location of the access hole.
  • Figure 3. Wench hole.
  • Figure 4. Tire lowered.
  • Figure 5. Remove the bracket holding the wheel.

Step 3 – Loosen lug nuts

Keep the truck on the ground and use its weight to help break the lug nuts loose. Take the tire iron and loosen each lug nut, but do not completely remove them from the wheel.

Figure 6. Break the lug nuts loose.

Step 4 – Raise truck

This step is really simple, just be careful! There are specific jack-points located under the chassis of your truck. If you are replacing a rear tire, the jack-point is found under the axle, while the front is under the control arm.

Figure 7. Place the jack under the recommended jack-point.

(Related article: How to Jack up Your Truck - DodgeForum.com)

Step 5 – Replace tire

  • The lug nuts should be able to come off by hand; remove them.
  • Replace the tire.
  • Tighten each lug nut by hand.
  • Lower the truck.
  • Tighten each lug nut in a star-like pattern using the tire iron.
  • Figure 8. Mount the tire and tighten the lug nuts by hand.
  • Figure 9. Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Featured Video: Changing Your Tire with the Spare Tire | 2015 RAM 1500

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