I went to shift into 4WD a couple days ago on my 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 and found the shifter loose, basically flopping around. Looked under the truck and, no surprise, the linkage was gone. I searched the Internet for a bit and saw some other Dodge owners, mostly Durango owners, posting that this is a common problem due to the rubber grommets, that hold the linkage in place, dry rotting and falling out.

Anyway, I called the dealer and he quickly found the linkage rod so that wasn't a problem. But I happened to ask him if it also came with the pieces that fit on the end and he said no, I'd have to order the entire gear shift to get that grommet/bushing, and also order the manual level on the transfer case to get the other bushing. Total price for those two items was around $100. For two grommets. Joy. I dug around a bit more on the Internet and luckily found the part number for the grommets. Called the dealer back the next day, got a different guy this time, and asked if he had that part number in stock. He did, and they were $17 each. For a small piece of rubber. Joy. I mentioned that seemed really high and he was kind enough to share with me that he knows of an alternate grommet part number that will also work and it's only $11 each. So I bought a pair of those.

Anyway, I'm posting this because I wanted to share what I learned with other Ram owners in case they run into this problem. Maybe this post will save you some time and money. Here are the part numbers and prices I paid:

52105555-AA, "ROD GEAR SHIFT", $18.00
68078974-AA, "GROMMET NONE", $11.42

Installation took about 10 minutes. I greased up the grommets and used channel locks to smash them into the lever holes. The linkage rod then easily snapped into the grommets. Oh, and the linkage rod itself doesn't come with the bolt used to set the linkage adjustment. Fortunately the parts guy at my dealership noticed mine was missing when I set it on the counter and asked if I wanted one. He knew exactly which bolt it was. Pretty cool to find someone who knows their stuff.

 

Thanks for sharing!!

 

Thanks man! I need both of these grommets!

Can I get two of the $11 ones, or do I need one $18 and one $11 grommet? Thanks.

 

Order 2 of the $11 grommets and you'll be set.

 

My grommets failed me this morning while pulling my tractor to my hunting lease. I used the part number you provided and found them for 5.99 at factorymoparparts.com.

 

Yeah, but the shipping is $9! Ridiculous! I'll just go get them at my local dealer.

 

Yeah it sounds like I just got the problem, with me it happened right after I shifted into 4WD, so I'm stuck in 4x4 mode.

I'll know for sure when I get a chance to crawl under & look this afternoon...

 

Here are some updated part numbers from mopar.
Rod 52105555AA
Gromet- updated T/C side 5080227AA
Gromet- shifter side 52105551AB
Clamp-rod 52105212
Bolt for clamp J018077
And if you find or get a another rod from a pick and pull the gromet numbers would be 68078974AA x2 I don't know the price's, But I'm sure the dealer can tell you over the phone, now that you have the mopar numbers.

 

sounds like a common issue, is this used on a 2006 as well? has there been a recall on these?

 

I don't think you're gonna see a recall. I was talking to a friend of mine after I re-installed my linkage today who is a Jeep mechanic. He says ALL New Venture (NV) transfer cases that utilize a manual shifter work by the same principle, a rubber grommet (bushing) to secure the linkage to both sides. Doesn't matter if it's a Ford, GM, etc.
Necessary evil to allow the linkage to free float between the shifter and the transfer case.

He says he sees the problem about 2-3x a month on Jeeps with Select Trac...