1993 DODGE TRUCK Service Repair Manual

2 - 28
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE

DISCONNECT
AXLE/SHIFT
MOTOR
DIAGNOSIS
TWO-WHEEL DRIVE
OPERATION
DIAGNOSIS
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
INDICATOR
LIGHT
WILL NOT GO OUT WHEN
TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR
IS
MOVED FROM 4H TO 2H POSITION.

RAISE
VEHICLE SO ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE
FREE
TO ROTATE. INSPECT INDICATOR
SWITCH AND WIRING ON SHIFT MOTOR HOUSING FOR DAMAGE AND SHORT-CIRCUIT.

REPAIR
AS NECESSARY.
YES
i
START ENGINE DEPRESS BRAKE
PEDAL.
PLACE TRANSFER

CASE
SELECTOR IN 2H POSITION AND TRANSMISSION IN
DRIVE
(AUTOMATIC)
OR FIRST

GEAR
(MANUAL). EASE OFF FROM
BRAKE
AND LET WHEELS ROTATE SLOWLY. TEST COMPLETE
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT DOES
NOT ROTATE. FRONT DRIVE
SHAFT ROTATES.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR
LIGHT
REMAINS
ON. INSPECT TRANSFER

CASE
LINKAGE.

PLACE
TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. TEST FOR VACUUM
IN VACUUM HOSE

THAT
CONNECTS TO INBOARD SHIFT MOTOR PORT.
(VACUUM SHOULD BE
BETWEEN 10-20 IN. HG.)
CHECK
TRANSFER

CASE.
REPAIR

AS
NECESSARY.
NO VACUUM
OR LOW VACUUM. VACUUM OK
INSPECT INTAKE MANIFOLD
VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE CONNECTION,
TRANSFER CASE VACUUM SWITCH
CONNECTION, VACUUM RESERVOIR, AND SHIFT SYSTEM VACUUM HOSES
FOR PROPER CONNECTION, RESTRICTION,
AIR LEAKS, AND DAMAGE. REPAIR OR REPLACE
AS
NECESSARY. STOP ENGINE
—r~
FRONT AXLE

DISCONNECTS.

INSPECT VACUUM

HOSES
FOR AIR LEAKS, KINKS, ETC.
REPAIR
AS NECESSARY. FRONT AXLE

DOES
NOT
DISCONNECT.
REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR
HOUSING COVER. CONNECT VACUUM PUMP TO
SHIFT MOTOR PORT.

REPLACE
SHIFT MOTOR
IF ARMATURE DOES
NOT MOVE IN AND OUT FREELY. FRONT AXLE
WILL NOT DISCONNECT.

J9002-95
REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR HOUSING
COVER. INSPECT SHIFT FORK, COLLAR, AND AXLE SHAFTS.
REPAIR
OR REPLACE AS
NECESSARY

FRONT
SUSPENSION AND
AXLE
2 - 29
DISCONNECT AXLE/SHIFT MOTOR DIAGNOSIS
(CONT'D)

FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE
OPERATION
DIAGNOSIS
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR
LIGHT
DOES NOT
LIGHT
WHEN TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR IN 4H OR 4L POSITION.

RAISE
VEHICLE SO ALL FOUR
WHEELS ARE FREE TO ROTATE.
START ENGINE, DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL.

PLACE
TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR IN 4H
POSITION AND TRANSMISSION LEVER IN DRIVE
(AUTOMATIC)
OR IN FIRST GEAR
(MANUAL) TO CONFIRM TRANSFER CASE ENGAGEMENT IN 4H. LET WHEELS ROTATE SLOWLY.
FRONT DRIVE SHAFT DOES
NOT ROTATE. FRONT DRIVE
SHAFT TURNS.
INSPECT TRANSFER
CASE
LINKAGE.

CHECK
TRANSFER
CASE.
REPAIR AS
NECESSARY.
FRONT AXLE
CONNECTS.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR
LIGHT
DOES
NOT LIGHT.
INSPECT FWD INDICATOR SWITCH, WIRING, AND
LAMP FOR DAMAGE.

REPAIR
AS NECESSARY. RECOMMENDATION:

CHECK
VACUUM SHIFT SYSTEM FOR PROPER
OPERATION.
PLACE
TRANSMISSION
LEVER IN NEUTRAL POSITION. FRONT AXLE

DOES
NOT
CONNECT.
REMOVE VACUUM HOSES FROM AXLE SHIFT MOTOR PORTS.
START ENGINE. TEST FOR VACUUM AT HOSE REMOVED FROM
OUT­

BOARD
PORT ON SHIFT MOTOR,
SHOULD BE BETWEEN 10-20 IN HG.
NO VACUUM
OR LOW VACUUM. STOP ENGINE
H VACUUM OK
INSPECT INTAKE MANIFOLD
VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE CONNECTION, TRANSFER CASE VACUUM SWITCH
CONNECTION, VACUUM RESERVOIR, AND SHIFT
SYSTEM VACUUM HOSES FOR PROPER CONNECTION, RESTRICTION, LEAKS, AND DAMAGE.
REPAIR
OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY. CONNECT A VACUUM PUMP
TO THE OUTBOARD
SHIFT MOTOR PORT.
APPLY 15 INCHES HG. VACUUM AND ROTATE LEFT WHEEL.
NO VACUUM FRONT AXLE
CONNECTED.

CHECK
TRANSFER CASE
VACUUM SWITCH. REPLACE OR REPAIR IF SWITCH
PLUNGER IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE OR BINDS. FRONT AXLE

DOES
NOT
CONNECT.
INSPECT VACUUM HOSES FOR LEAKS, KINKS, ETC.
REPAIR
AS NECESSARY. REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR
HOUSING COVER. CONNECT VACUUM PUMP TO
SHIFT MOTOR PORT.

REPLACE
SHIFT MOTOR
IF ARMATURE DOES
NOT MOVE IN AND OUT FREELY. REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR HOUSING
COVER. INSPECT SHIFT FORK, COLLAR, AND AXLE SHAFTS.
REPAIR
OR REPLACE AS
NECESSARY.
*
REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR HOUSING
COVER. INSPECT SHIFT FORK, COLLAR, AND AXLE SHAFTS.
REPAIR
OR REPLACE AS
NECESSARY.
FRONT AXLE
WILL NOT CONNECT.
REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR HOUSING
COVER. INSPECT SHIFT FORK, COLLAR, AND AXLE SHAFTS.
REPAIR
OR REPLACE AS
NECESSARY.
FRONT AXLE
WILL NOT CONNECT.
REMOVE SHIFT MOTOR HOUSING
COVER. INSPECT SHIFT FORK, COLLAR, AND AXLE SHAFTS.
REPAIR
OR REPLACE AS
NECESSARY.

J9002-96

2
- 30
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE

• REMOVAUDISASSEMBL
Y

(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Disconnect the vacuum and wiring connector
from the shift housing. (3) Remove the shift motor housing cover, gasket
and shield from the housing.
(4) Remove the E-clips from the shift motor hous­
ing and shaft. Remove shift motor and shift fork
from the housing (Fig. 32).
Fig.
32
Vacuum
Shift Motor
Components

(5) Remove the O-ring seal from the shift motor
shaft. (6) Clean and inspect all the components. If any
component is excessively worn or damaged, it should
be replaced.
ASSEMBL Y/IHSTALLA TION (1) Install a replacement O-ring seal on the shift
motor shaft (Fig. 32). (2) Insert the shift motor shaft through the hole in
the housing and shift fork. The shift fork offset should be toward the differential.
(3) Install the E-clips on the shift motor shaft and
housing.
(4) Install the shift motor housing gasket and
cover. Ensure the shift fork is correctly guided
into the shift collar groove.
(5) Install the shift motor housing shield and bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 14 N*m (10 ft. lbs.) torque.

INTERMEDIATE AXLE SHAFT
REMOVAL/DISASSEMBLY (1) Remove the vacuum motor housing from the

axle,
refer to Vacuum Shift Motor Removal.
(2) Remove the hub, spindle and axle shaft, refer
to the removal procedures above.
(3) Remove the shift collar from the shift motor
housing.
(4) Remove the differential housing cover and
drain the lubricant.
(5) Push the intermediate axle shaft toward the center of the vehicle. Remove the C-lock from the
shaft and side gear in the differential.
(6) Remove the intermediate axle shaft with Re­
mover/Installer D-354-4 and Adaptor D-354-3 (Fig.

33).

J9202-104
Fig.
33
intermediate
Axle Shaft Removal/Installation
(7) Remove the intermediate axle shaft bearing
with Tool D-354-4, Tool
D-354-1,
and Slide Hammer C-637 (Fig. 34, 35).
(8) Remove the needle bearing from intermediate
axle shaft with Remover/Installer D-330 (Fig. 34, 35).

RK724

Fig.
34
Intermediate
Shaft Bearing
Removal

(9) Remove the inner axle shaft seal from the shift
motor housing. Certain vehicles could also have a
seal guard; discard both components. The guard is
not used with a replacement seal.

•

FRONT SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 - 31
Fig. 35 Disconnect Axle Service Tools ASSEMBLY/INSTALLATION
(1) Install the needle bearing in the end of the in­
termediate shaft with Installer D-328 and Driver Handle C-4171 (Fig. 36).
RK
727
Fig. 36 Intermediate Shaft Bearing installation (2) Install the intermediate axle shaft bearing with
Tool D-354-4, Tool 354-2 and Slide Hammer C-637 (Fig. 34, 35).
(3) Install the intermediate axle shaft with Tool
D-354-4 and Adaptor Tool D-354-3.
(4) Install the C-lock in the axle shaft and side
gear.
(5) Clean the tube bore and remove any rust from
the seal area.
(6) Place the axle shaft seal on Tool 5041-1 and po­
sition in housing. Thread Tool 5041-2 through the
seal into Tool
5041-1.
Install Tool 5041-3 and nut on
the end of the threaded bar tool. Tighten the nut un­
til the tool contacts the threaded bar shoulder.
(7) Install the shift collar on the splined end of the
intermediate axle shaft.
(8) Lubricate the splined end of the intermediate
axle shaft with multi-purpose lubricant.
(9) Install the axle shaft, spindle and hub, refer to
the installation procedures above. (10) Install the shift motor housing, refer to Vac­
uum Shift Motor Installation.
STEERING
KNUCKLE
ARM

REMOVAL
(1) Install Puller C-4150 on each drag-link ball
stud. Apply sufficient force with the tool to loosen
the drag-link ball stud from the steering arm.
(2) Remove the lock nuts that attach the steering
arm to the knuckle (Fig. 37). Tap the steering arm to
loosen it from the knuckle. Pry upward to remove. Fig. 37 Steering Knuckle Arm Removal

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the steering arm on the knuckle. In­
stall the nuts. Tighten the nuts to 122 N«m (90 ft.

lbs.).

(2) Position the drag link at steering knuckle arm.
(3) Install and tighten the ball stud nut to 81 N*m
(60 ft. lbs.) torque. Install new cotter pins.

COMPLETE
AXLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
SERVICE
INFORMATION
It is not necessary to remove the complete front
axle from the vehicle for routine service. If the hous­
ing or axle shaft tubes are damaged, the complete axle can be removed and installed via the following
procedures.
REMOVAL (1) Remove the front wheels/tires.
(2) Mark the front drive shaft and the pinion yoke
for installation alignment reference.
(3) Disconnect the front drive shaft from the axle
yoke. Attach the drive shaft to the frame rail with

wire.

(4) Remove the cotter pin, nut, and disconnect the
drag link from the steering knuckle arm (left side

only).
Discard the cotter pin.

2
- 32
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE

• (5) Disconnect flexible brake fluid hose fittings at
the frame crossmember. Plug the hoses at the fit­

tings.

(6) Remove the shock absorber lower nut and stud
from the axle shaft tube bracket. Remove the nuts and disconnect the stabilizer bar links from the
spring brackets.
(7) Disconnect the vacuum hoses and wiring con­
nections from the shift motor housing.
(8) Remove nuts and the washers from the spring
U-bolts. Remove the complete front axle from the ve­
hicle.

INSTALLATION
(1) Position the front axle under the front of the
vehicle with the axle spring pads under the springs.
Place the spring brackets over the springs. Make sure the stabilizer bar link bolt holes face toward the
rear of the vehicle.
(2) Install the spring U-bolts, washers and nuts.
Refer to Front Suspension — 4WD Vehicles within
this group. (3) Install the shock absorber. Refer to Front Sus­
pension — 4WD Vehicles within this group. (4) Connect the stabilizer bar links to the spring
brackets. Refer to Front Suspension-4WD Vehicles
within this group.
(5) Remove plugs and connect the brake hose fit­

tings.
Refer to Group 5, Brakes. (6) Connect the drag-link ball stud to the steering
knuckle arm. Refer to Group 19, Steering. (7) Connect the drive shaft to the pinion yoke with
the installation reference marks aligned. Install the
washers and the nuts and tighten to 19 N*m (14 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) Connect the vacuum hoses and wiring connec­
tions to the shift motor housing. (9) Remove the supports, lower the vehicle and re­
move the block from the brake pedal.
(10) Raise the vehicle.
• Bleed and adjust the brakes
• Lubricate all the ball stud fittings
• Inspect the differential housing lubricant level. Re­
fer to Group 0, Lubrication and Maintenance. (11) Lower the vehicle and test the axle and sus­
pension operation.

DIFFERENTIAL
DISASSEMBLY

REMOVAL/DISASSEMBLY (1) Note the installation reference letters
stamped on the bearing caps and housing ma­
chined sealing surface (Fig. 38). (2) Remove the differential bearing caps.
(3) Position Spreader W-129-A with the tool dowel
pins seated in the locating holes (Fig. 39). Install the
holddown clamps and tighten the tool turnbuckle fin­ ger-tight.
INSTALLATION

EFERENCE
LETTERS

J9003-92

Fig.
38 Bearing Cap
Identification
SPECIAL
TOOL

MODEL
44-W-129-A
MODEL
60-D-167
DIAL

INDICATOR

«ar"P—

J9202-113

Fig.
39
Differential
Housing
Separation
(4) Install a pilot stud at the left side of the differ­
ential housing. Attach Dial Indicator to housing pilot stud. Load the indicator plunger against the opposite
side of the housing (Fig. 39) and zero the indicator.

CAUTION:
Do not
spread
over the specified
dis­

tance.
If the
housing
is over-separated, it
could
be distorted or
damaged.

(5) Separate the housing enough to remove the
case from the housing. Separate housing a maxi­
mum distance of 0.38 mm (0.015 in) with the spreader tool. Measure the distance with the dial
indicator (Fig. 39).
(6) Remove the dial indicator.
(7) Pry the differential case loose from the hous­
ing. To prevent damage, pivot on housing with the end of the pry bar against case.
(8) Remove the case from housing. If they are re­
usable, retain the differential bearing cups and bear­ ings together as matched sets.

•

FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 - 33 (9) Clamp the differential case in a vise equipped
with soft jaws. Remove and discard the ring gear
bolts.
Tap the ring gear with a rawhide mallet and
remove (Fig. 40).

RING
GEAR SPECIAL
TOOL

C-3281

SPECIAL
TOOL
C-452
J9102-31
RAWHIDE

HAMMER

J9202-76
Fig.
40
Ring
Gear
Removal

(10) Remove the pinion yoke nut and washer. Use
Remover C-452 and Wrench C-3281 to remove the
pinion yoke (Fig. 41). (11) Use Remover C-748 to remove the pinion gear
seal.
(12) Remove oil slinger, front bearing and shims
(Fig. 42). Record the thickness of the shims. This will
Fig.
41
Pinion
Yoke
Removal

save time if they should become misplaced.
(13) Remove the front pinion bearing cup with Re­
mover D-158 and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 43). (14) Remove the rear bearing cup from housing
(Fig. 44). Use Remover D-162 and Handle C-4171.
(15) Remove the depth shims from the housing
bore. Record the thickness of the depth shims.
(16) Remove the inner bearing from the pinion
with Puller C-293-PA and Plate C-293-39 (Fig. 45).

PINION
YOKE WASHER
SLINGER

PINION

PRELOAD SHIMS
FRONT

BEARING CUP

PINION
PRELOAD
SPACER
PINION
NUT
PINION
OIL
SEAL

FRONT

BEARING CONE
SHOULDER
FOR

•
PINION
PRELOAD SPACER
J9203-63
Fig.
42
Pinion
Front Bearing and Preload
Shims

2
- 34
FRONT SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE

•

SPECIAL
TOOL
SPECIAL
TOOL
D-158
C-4171
Fig.
44 Rear Bearing Cup Removal (17) Clamp the differential case in a vise equipped
with soft jaws. Use a pin punch to remove the pinion gear mate shaft lock pin (Fig, 46).
(18) Remove the mate shaft with a drift and ham­
mer (Fig. 47).
(19) Rotate the differential side gears and remove
the pinion mate gears and thrust washers (Fig. 48).
(20) Remove the differential side gears and thrust
washers. (21) Remove the case from the vise.
SPECIAL

TOOL

C-293-PA

Fig.
46
Mate
Shaft
Lock
Pin
Removal
(22) Remove the bearings from the differential
case with Press C-293-PA, Plug C-293-3, Plate C-293-18 and a vise (Fig. 49).
Use care that adapter rings are placed so they
do not damage the bearing cage.
(23) Remove bearing shims from case hubs and
mark them (with hub identity) for assembly refer­

ence.
Record the thickness of the shims.
CLEANING/INSPECTION (1) Wash and clean all the differential components
with cleaning solvent. Dry with compressed air.
Do not steam clean the differential compo­

nents.

(2) Clean the axle shaft tubes. Insert a stiff wire
into each tube, attach a clean cloth to the wire at the

•

FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 - 35

PINION
MATE SHAFT ADAPTERS

DRIFT
J9203-60

Fig.
47
Mate
Shaft
Removal
THRUST

WASHER

PINION

MATE GEAR SIDE GEAR
J9203-61

Fig.
48
Pinion
Mate
Gear
Removal

housing opening. Draw the wire (and cloth) from the
housing outward through the tube. (3) Inspect the differential and pinion gear bearings.
Inspect the differential case and housing.
• Bearings and cups should have a smooth appear­
ance.

• Bearing races must not be distorted or cracked Cup and bearing must be replaced as a
matched set only. • All machined surfaces in the housing and on bearing
caps should be smooth and without any raised edges.
• Pinion gear front and rear bearing cup bores should be smooth
• Raised metal on shoulders of cup bores should be
removed with a hand stone
PLUG
SPECIAL

TOOL

C-293-PA

J9202-42

Fig.
49
Differential
Bearing
Removal
(4) Examine the differential pinion mate shaft,
pinion gears, side gears and thrust washers for wear and damage. Replace all defective components.
If either of the differential pinion gears is not
reusable, both gears must be replaced as a matched set only. Do not replace only one gear.
(5) Examine the ring gear and the pinion gear for
worn and chipped teeth. Examine the ring gear for damaged bolt threads.
If replacement of either gear is necessary, both
must be replaced as a matched set only.
(6) Inspect the pinion yoke for cracks, worn
splines, pitted areas, and a rough/corroded seal con­
tact surface. Repair or replace the yoke as necessary.
(7) Inspect the pinion bearing preload shims for
cracks, damage and distortion. Install replacement shims (if necessary) for the preload torque adjust­
ment.

DIFFERENTIAL
ASSEMBLY

ASSEMBLY (1) Install the following components in the differ­
ential case.
• Differential side gears and thrust washers
• Pinion gears and thrust washers