
GROUP TAB LOCATOR 
Introduction 
0
 Lubrication
 and
 Maintenance 
 2
 Front Suspension
 and
 Axle 
3
 Rear Suspension
 and
 Axles 
5
 Brakes 
6
 Clutch 
 7
 Cooling System 
8
 Electrical 
9
 Engines 
 11
 Exhaust System
 and
 Intake
 Manifold 
13
 Frame
 and Bumpers 
14
 Fuel
 System 
16
 Propeller Shafts 
19
 Steering 
21
 Transmission
 and
 Transfer Case 
22
 Wheels and Tires 
23
 Body Components 
24
 Heating
 and Air
 Conditioning 
25
 Emission Control Systems  Component and System Index 
Service Manual Comment Forms (Rear
 of
 Manual)   

0 - 4
 LUBRICATION
 AND
 MAINTENANCE 
COMPONENTS
 REQUIRING
 NO
 LUBRICATION 
There are many components that should not be lu
bricated. The components that should not be lubri cated are:  • Air pumps 
• Generator bearings 
• Brake booster cylinder  • Clutch release bearings 
• Distributors 
• Drive belts  • Drive belt idler pulleys  • Drive shaft center bearings 
• Idler arms • Rubber bushings 
• Starter motor bearings  • Suspension strut bearings 
• Rear spring shackle bolts  • Rear wheel bearings (not equipped with a Dana 
or 70 axle) 
• Throttle control cables 
• Throttle linkage ball joints • Water pump bearings   

0
 - 22
 LUBRICATION
 AND
 MAINTENANCE 
DRIVETRAIN 
INDEX 
page 
Axles
 25 
 Clutch
 and
 Brake Pedal
 Bushings
 ............ 22 
Clutch Master Cylinder
 22 
Drive Shafts
 26 
 page 
Front Axle U-Joint
 and
 Pivot Bearings
 ......... 26 
Transfer
 Case
 (4WD
 Vehicles)
 . . ........ 24 
Transmissions
 . 22 
CLUTCH
 AND
 BRAKE PEDAL 
 If the clutch and brake pedal mechanism squeaks, 
the pivot bushings should be lubricated (Fig. 1). Use 
MOPAR®Multi-Purpose Lubricant, or an equivalent. 
CLUTCH
 MASTER CYLINDER 
HYDRAULIC FLUID LEVEL  The clutch master cylinder fluid level should be in
spected at the same time as underhood maintenance 
is conducted. The fluid level should be at indicating 
line (Fig. 1). If the fluid level is low, locate and cor
rect any possible leaks. Fill the reservoir with clean, 
moisture-free brake fluid. 
FLUID SPECIFICATION  The only fluid recommended for use is 
MOPAR®Brake Fluid, or an equivalent product. The 
 SLAVE 
CYLINDER 
CLUTCH 
HOUSING 
 23
 N«m
 (200 IN.
 LBS.) 
 product is identified as SAE J-1703 or DOT 3 flu
id.Do not use any other type of
 fluid. 
CAUTION:
 Never
 use
 reclaimed brake fluid
 or
 fluid 
from
 an
 unsealed container.
 Do not use
 fluid that 
 has
 been opened
 and
 allowed
 to
 stand
 for an ex
tended length
 of
 time. 
TRANSMISSIONS 
SPECIAL ADDITIVES  Chrysler Motors does not recommend the addition 
of any special additives to a transmission. Black 
light detection dye can be used as an aid in detecting 
fluid leaks. 
 RESERVOIR 
STUD 
VIEW
 IN
 DIRECTION 
 GtAKBQWZ 
LUBRICATE 
CLUTCH 
 PEDAL 
 23 N#m 
(200 IN. LBS.) 
 5
 N«m 
(40 IN.
 LBS 
MASTER 
CYLINDER 
COTTER
 PIN 
NUT
 23 N*m (200 IN.
 LBS.)  WAVE WASHER RETAINING RING 
BRAKE
 PEDAL  VIEW
 IN
 DIRECTION FLAT WASHER 
OF ARROW
 Y 
 RR06F1 
Fig.
 1
 Clutch
 & Brake
 Pedal
 Mechanism   

• ___— . ^
 FRONT
 SUSPENSION
 AND
 AXLE
 2 - 53 
SCREWDRIVER
 J9202-70 
Fig.
 9
 Lock
 Ring
 Removal 
 (8) Remove the wheel bearing outer lock nut from 
the spindle with Wrench 7158 (Fig. 11). Remove the 
tabbed lock washer from the spindle. 
(9) Remove the wheel bearing inner lock nut ring 
from the spindle with Wrench 7158 (Fig. 11). 
(10) Remove the hub and rotor assembly from the 
spindle. 
(11) Remove the nuts that attach the spindle to 
the steering knuckle. Remove the spindle from the  knuckle, use a soft faced mallet if necessary to tap 
loose (Fig. 12). 
 SNAP
 HUB
 LOCKING
 PRESSURE
 CLUTCH
 SNAP 
RING
 SEAL
 CAP
 J9202-71 
 Fig.
 10
 Locking
 Hub
 Components 
Fig.
 11
 Lock
 Nut
 Ring
 Removal 
 (12) Pull the axle shaft (with spacer, seal and 
slinger) from the steering knuckle (Fig. 13). 
(13) Clamp the spindle in a soft-jawed vise. Do not 
clamp at the bearing contact surfaces. Remove the 
bearing seal. 
(14) Use Puller D-131 to remove needle bearings 
from the spindle (Fig. 14). 
ASSEMBL
 Y/INSTALLA
 TION 
(1) Install needle bearing in the spindle with In
staller C-4370 and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 15).   

• 
REAR
 SUSPENSION
 AND
 AXLE
 3 - 1 
CONTENTS 
page 
8
 3/8 and 9 1/4
 AXLE
 11 
 GENERAL
 INFORMATION
 1 
MODEL
 60 and 70
 AXLES
 29 
POWER-LOK DIFFERENTIAL
 55 
REAR
 SUSPENSION—2WD
 and 
 4WD VEHICLES
 3 
 page 
SERVICE
 DIAGNOSIS
 6 
SPECIFICATIONS
 27 
SURE-GRIP
 DIFFERENTIAL SERVICE
 28 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
 59 
TRAC-LOK DIFFERENTIAL
 51 
GENERAL INFORMATION 
SUSPENSION 
 Ram Truck rear suspensions
 are
 comprised
 of; 
• Drive axle 
• Leaf springs 
• Dual-action shock absorbers 
• Jounce bumpers (used
 to
 limit
 the
 travel
 of the 
 suspension)  All
 Ram
 Truck
 and
 Ramcharger vehicles
 are 
equipped with leaf-type rear springs.
 The
 springs 
have
 a
 one-piece, rubber bushing pressed into their  main leaf front
 eye.
 Model
 150 and
 Ramcharger
 ve
hicles
 are
 equipped with
 a
 fixed-rate type leaf spring.  Progressive-rate type rear leaf springs
 are
 standard equipment
 for all
 Model
 250 and 350
 vehicles. 
AXLES 
 The
 8 3/8, 9
 1/4-Inch
 ,
 Model
 60 and 70
 axle hous
ings consist
 of a
 cast iron center section. They also 
have
 two
 steel axle shaft tubes that
 are
 pressed into  and welded
 to the
 differential housing.  The removable, stamped steel cover provides
 a 
means
 for
 inspection
 and
 service without removing 
the complete axle from
 the
 vehicle.  Both axle types
 are
 equipped with
 a
 remote vent 
fitting.  A small, stamped metal axle gear ratio identifica
tion
 tag is
 attached
 to the
 housing cover.  The rear wheel anti-lock (RWAL) brake speed sen
sor
 is
 attached
 to the top,
 forward exterior
 of the dif
ferential housing.
 A
 seal
 is
 located between
 the 
 sensor
 and the
 wire harness connector.
 The
 seal 
must
 be
 in-plaee when
 the
 wire connector
 is 
 connected
 to the
 sensor.
 The
 RWAL brake exciter 
ring
 is
 press-fitted onto
 the
 differential case against 
the flange.  A rear axle equipped with
 a
 Sure-Grip differential 
is optionally available
 for
 both
 Ram
 Truck
 and
 Ram
charger vehicles.
 The
 Sure-Grip
 has a
 two-piece case 
that
 is
 interchangeable with
 a
 standard differential. 
A limited-slip differential
 is
 optional
 on
 Model
 60, 
and
 70
 rear axles.
 The
 Model
 60
 uses
 the
 Trac-Lok 
differential
 and the
 Model
 70
 uses
 the
 Power-Lok
 dif
ferential.
 The
 Trac-Lok differential uses
 a
 one-piece  case while
 the
 Power-Lok differential uses
 a two-
piece case. Both
 use the
 same internal components
 as 
 a standard differential, plus
 two
 clutch disc packs. 
IDENTIFICATION  The axle differential covers
 can be
 used
 for
 identi
fication (Fig.
 1, 2, 3). 
 Model
 60
 axle
 has the
 assembly part number
 and 
gear ratio listed
 on a tag. The tag is
 attached
 to the 
 left side
 of the
 housing cover
 (Fig. 3).
 Build date 
identification codes
 on
 axles
 are
 stamped
 on the
 axle 
shaft tube cover side. 
LUBRICANTS 
 Multi-purpose, hypoid gear lubricant should
 be 
used
 for
 rear axles with either
 a
 standard
 or a
 Sure- Grip differential.
 The
 lubricant should have MIL-L-
2105-B
 and by API GL 5
 quality specifications. 
MOPAR Hypoid Gear Lubricant conforms
 to
 both
 of 
these specifications.
 In
 addition,
 4
 ounces
 of
 Hypoid  Additive must
 be
 included with
 a
 re-fill
 for
 Sure-Grip  differentials. 
If
 the
 rear axle
 is
 submerged
 in
 water,
 the lu
bricant must
 be
 replaced immediately. Avoid  axle failure resulting from water contamination 
of
 the
 lubricant. 
REAR
 SUSPENSION
 AND
 AXLE   

3
 - 8
 REAR SUSPENSION
 AND
 AXLE 
• level. Where axle bearing damage is slight, the noise 
is usually not noticeable at speeds above 30 mph. 
LOW SPEED KNOCK 
 Low speed knock is generally caused by a worn 
U-joint or by worn side-gear thrust washers. A worn 
pinion gear shaft bore will also cause low speed  knock. 
VIBRATION 
 Vibration at the rear of the vehicle is usually 
caused by a: 
• Damaged drive shaft 
• Missing drive shaft balance weight 
• Worn, out-of-balance wheel and tires 
• Loose wheel lug nuts 
• Worn U-joint  • Loose spring U-bolts 
• Loose/broken rear springs or shackles 
• Damaged axle shaft bearings 
• Loose pinion gear nut 
• Excessive pinion yoke run out 
• Bent axle shaft  Check for loose or damaged front-end components 
or engine/transmission mounts. These components 
can contribute to what appears to be a rear-end vi
bration. Do not overlook engine accessories, brackets  and drive belts.  All driveline components should be examined be
fore starting any repair.  Refer to Group 22, Wheels and Tires for additional 
information. 
DRIVELINE SNAP 
 A snap or clunk noise when the vehicle is shifted 
into gear (or the clutch engaged), can be caused by:  • High engine idle speed 
• Loose engine/transmission/transfer case mounts 
9
 Worn U-joints 
• Loose spring shackles or U-bolts 
• Loose pinion gear nut and yoke 
• Excessive ring gear backlash 
• Excessive differential side gear-to-case clearance  A worn bushing in the transmission extension 
housing can also cause noise.  The source of a snap or a clunk noise can be deter
mined with the assistance of a helper. Raise the ve
hicle on a hoist with the wheels free to rotate.  Instruct the helper to shift the transmission into gear. Listen for the noise, a mechanics stethoscope is 
helpful in isolating the source of a noise. 
LIMITED
 SLIP DIFFERENTIAL 
 Under normal traction conditions, engine torque is 
divided evenly. With low-traction surfaces, engine 
torque is transferred to the wheel with the most tire 
traction. When diagnosing a limited-slip differential 
problem condition, the wheel with the least traction  can continue spinning.  The most common problem is a chatter noise when 
turning corners. Check for incorrect or contaminated  lubricant. Replace the gear lubricant if necessary. 
• With Sure-Grip differentials add a container of 
MOPAR® Hypoid Gear Additive  This will correct the condition in most instances. If 
the chatter persists, clutch damage could have oc curred.  After changing the lubricant, drive the vehicle and 
make 10 to 12 slow, figure-eight turns. This maneu
ver will pump lubricant through the clutches.   

REAR
 SUSPENSION
 AND
 AXLE
 3 - 9 
SERVICE DIAGNOSIS 
Condition 
 Possible
 Cause 
 Correction 
WHEEL
 NOISE 
AXLE
 SHAFT
 NOISE 
AXLE
 SHAFT
 BROKE 
DIFFERENTIAL
 CASE 
CRACKED 
DIFFERENTIAL
 GEARS 
SCORED 
LOSS
 OF
 LUBRICANT 
 (a) Wheel loose. 
(b) Faulty, brinelled
 wheel
 bearing. 
(a) Misaligned axle shaft tube. 
(b) Bent or sprung axle shaft.  (c) End play in drive pinion bearings. 
(d) Excessive gear backlash
 between
 ring 
 gear
 and pinion gear. 
(e) Improper adjustment of drive pinion 
 gear
 shaft bearings. 
(f) Loose drive pinion gearshaft yoke nut. 
(g) Improper
 wheel
 bearing adjustment.  (h) Scuffed gear tooth contact surfaces. 
(a) Misaligned axle shaft tube. 
(b) Vehicle overloaded. 
(c) Erratic clutch operation 
(d) Grabbing clutch. 
(a) Improper adjustment of
 differential 
 bearings. 
(b) Excessive ring gear backlash. 
(c) Vehicle overloaded.  (d) Erratic clutch operation. 
(a) Insufficient lubrication. 
(b) Improper grade of lubricant. 
(c) Excessive spinning of one
 wheel/tire. 
(a) Lubricant
 level
 too high.  (a) Tighten loose nuts. 
(b) Faulty or brinelled bearings must be 
replaced. 
(a) Inspect axle shaft
 tube
 alignment.  Correct as necessary. 
(b) Replace bent or sprung axle shaft. 
(c) Refer to Drive Pinion Bearing Pre-Load  Adjustment. 
(d) Check adjustment of ring gear 
 backlash
 and pinion gear. Correct as 
necessary. 
(e) Adjust drive pinion shaft bearings. 
(f) Tighten drive pinion gearshaft yoke nut 
 with
 specified torque. 
(g) Readjust as necessary. 
(h) If necessary, replace scuffed gears. 
(a) Replace broken axle shaft
 after 
 correcting axle shaft
 tube
 alignment. 
(b) Replace broken axle shaft. Avoid 
 excessive
 weight on vehicle. 
(c) Replace broken axle shaft
 after 
 inspecting for other possible
 causes. 
Avoid
 erratic
 use of clutch. 
(d) Replace broken axle shaft. Inspect  clutch and make necessary repairs or adjustments. 
(a) Replace cracked case; examine gears  and bearings for possible damage. At 
reassembly,
 adjust 
differential
 bearings properly. 
(b) Replace cracked case; examine gears  and bearings for possible damage. At 
reassembly,
 adjust ring gear backlash properly. 
(c) Replace cracked case; examine gears  and bearings for possible damage. 
Avoid
 excessive weight on vehicle. 
(d) Replace cracked case.
 After
 inspecting  for other possible
 causes,
 examine 
gears
 and bearings for possible 
damage.
 Avoid
 erratic
 use of clutch. 
(a) Replace scored gears. Scoring marks 
 on
 the drive face of gear
 teeth
 or in 
the bore are caused by instantaneous 
fusing
 of the mating surfaces. Scored 
 gears
 should be replaced.
 Fill
 rear 
differential
 housing to
 required
 capacity 
with
 proper lubricant. Refer to 
 Specifications. 
(b) Replace scored gears. Inspect all 
 gears
 and bearings for possible 
damage.
 Clean and
 refill
 differential 
 housing
 to
 required
 capacity
 with 
proper lubricant. 
(c) Replace scored gears. Inspect all 
 gears,
 pinion bores and shaft for 
damage.
 Service as necessary. 
(a) Drain excess lubricant by removing
 fill 
 plug and allow lubricant to
 level
 at lower edge of
 fill
 plug hole. 
J9003-49   

3-10
 REAR SUSPENSION
 AND
 AXLE 
SERVICE DIAGNOSIS (CONT'D) 
Condition 
 Possible
 Cause 
 Correction 
AXLE OVERHEATING 
GEAR TEETH BROKE 
(RING GEAR
 AND 
 PINION) 
AXLE NOISE 
 (b) Worn axle
 shaft
 seals. 
(c) Cracked
 differential
 housing. 
(d) Worn
 drive
 pinion
 gear
 shaft
 seal. 
(e) Scored and worn yoke. 
(f) Axle cover not
 properly
 sealed. 
(a)
 Lubricant
 level
 too low.  (b)
 Incorrect
 grade of
 lubricant. 
(c) Bearings
 adjusted
 too
 tight. 
(d) Excessive gear wear. 
(e)
 Insufficient
 ring
 gear backlash, 
(a) Overloading. 
(b)
 Erratic
 clutch
 operation. 
(c) Ice-spotted pavements. 
(d) Improper adjustments. 
(a)
 Insufficient
 lubricant. 
(b) Improper
 ring
 gear and
 drive
 pinion 
 gear
 adjustment. 
(c) Unmatched
 ring
 gear and
 drive 
 pinion
 gear. 
(d) Worn
 teeth
 on
 ring
 gear or
 drive 
 pinion
 gear. 
(e) Loose
 drive
 pinion
 gear
 shaft
 bearings. 
(f) Loose
 differential
 bearings. 
(g) Misaligned or sprung
 ring
 gear. 
(h) Loose
 differential
 bearing cap bolts.  (b) Replace worn
 seals. 
(c) Repair or replace housing as 
 necessary. 
(d) Replace worn
 drive
 pinion
 gear
 shaft 
 seal. 
(e) Replace worn or scored yoke and seal. 
(f) Remove cover and clean flange and  reseal. 
(a)
 Refill
 differential
 housing.  (b) Drain,
 flush
 and
 refill
 with
 correct 
 amount of the
 correct
 lubricant. 
(c) Readjust bearings. 
(d) Inspect gears for excessive wear or  scoring. Replace as necessary. 
(e) Readjust
 ring
 gear backlash and  inspect gears for possible scoring. 
(a) Replace gears. Examine
 other
 gears  and bearings for possible damage. Replace parts as needed. Avoid 
overloading of vehicle. 
(b) Replace gears and examine the  remaining parts for possible damage. 
Avoid
 erratic
 clutch
 operation. 
(c) Replace gears. Examine the remaining  parts for possible damage. Replace 
parts as required. 
(d) Replace gears. Examine
 other
 parts for  possible damage. Ensure
 ring
 gear 
backlash is
 correct. 
(a)
 Refill
 axle
 with
 correct
 amount of the  proper
 lubricant.
 Also inspect for leaks 
and
 correct
 as necessary. 
(b) Check
 ring
 gear and
 pinion
 gear
 teeth 
 contact
 pattern. 
(c) Remove unmatched
 ring
 gear and 
 drive
 pinion
 gear. Replace
 with 
matched gear and
 drive
 pinion
 gear 
set. 
(d) Check
 teeth
 on
 ring
 gear and
 drive
 pi nion gear for
 correct
 contact. 
If necessary, replace
 with
 new 
matched set. 
(e) Adjust
 drive
 pinion
 gearshaft bearing  preload
 torque. 
(f) Adjust
 differential
 bearing preload 
 torque. 
(g) Measure
 ring
 gear
 runout. 
(h) Tighten
 with
 specified
 torque. 
J9003-50