
0 - 2
LUBRICATION
AND
MAINTENANCE
• Commercial service
When a vehicle is continuously subjected to severe
driving conditions, lubricate:
• Body components
• All the driveline coupling joints
• Steering linkage More often than normal driving conditions
DUSTY
AREAS
With this type of severe driving condition, special
care should be given to the:
• Engine air cleaner filter
• PCV filter
• Crankcase ventilation system
• Brake booster control valve air filter. Verify that the filters and the associated compo
nents are clean. Also verify that they are functioning
effectively. This will minimize the amount of abra sive particles that enter the engine.
OFF-ROAD
(4WD)
OPERATION
After off-road (4WD) operation, inspect the under
side of the vehicle. Inspect the:
• Tires
• Body structure
• Steering components
• Suspension components • Exhaust system
• Threaded fasteners
HARSH
SURFACE ENVIRONMENTS
After extended operation in harsh environments,
the brake drums, brake linings, and rear wheel bear ings should be inspected and cleaned. This will pre
vent wear and erratic brake action.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
The following routine maintenance is recommended
on a monthly basis: TIRES—Inspect the tires for unusual wear/damage.
Determine if the inflation pressure is adequate for
the vehicle load. BATTERY—Inspect and clean the terminals.
Tighten the terminals if necessary. FLUIDS—Determine if the component fluid levels
are acceptable. Add fluid, if necessary. LIGHTS/ELECTRICAL—Test all the electrical sys
tems in the vehicle for proper operation. It is also recommended that the engine oil and the
washer fluid level be determined at each fuel fill-up.
VEHICLE
NOISE CONTROL
Vehicles with a GVWR of 4 535 kg (10,000 lbs), or
more, are required to comply with Federal Exterior Noise Regulations (Fig. 2).
VEHICLE
NOISE
EMISSION
CONTROL INFORMATION
DATE
OF
VEHICLE
MANUFACTURE
THIS
VEHICLE CONFORMS
TO
U.S. EPA REGULATIONS FOR NOISE EMISSION
APPLICABLE
TO
MEDIUM
AND HEAVY
DUTY
TRUCKS. THE
FOLLOWING
ACTS OR THE CAUSING THEREOF BY ANY PERSON ARE PROHIBITED BY THE NOISE CONTROL ACT
OF 1972. (A) THE
REMOVAL
OR
RENDERING
INOPERATIVE, OTHER
THAN
FOR
PURPOSES
OF
MAINTENANCE,
REPAIR.
OR REPLACEMENT, OF ANY NOISE CONTROL DEVICE OR ELEMENT OF
DESIGN
(LISTED
IN
THE
OWNERS
MANUAL)
INCORPORATED
INTO
THIS
VEHICLE
IN COMPLIANCE
WITH
THE NOISE CONTROL
ACT:
(B) THE
USE
OF
THIS
VEHICLE
AFTER SUCH DEVICE
OR
ELEMENT
OF
DESIGN HAS BEEN REMOVED
OR
RENDERED
INOPERATIVE.
PU626D
Fig.
2 Vehicle
Noise
Emission
Control Information
Label
UNAUTHORIZED
DEFEAT
OF
NOISE
CONTROL COMPONENTS
Federal law prohibits removal, altering or other
wise defeating any noise control component. This in
cludes before or after the vehicle is in use. Federal
law also prohibits the use of a vehicle after a noise
control component is defeated.
REQUIRED MAINTENANCE/SERVICE
FOR
NOISE
CONTROL
The following maintenance is required after each
6-month or 9 600 km (6,000 miles) interval. This will
ensure that the vehicle noise control components are
operating properly.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
Inspect exhaust system for exhaust leaks and dam
aged components. The exhaust hangers, clamps and
U-bolts should be attached and in good condition.
Burned or ruptured mufflers, damaged exhaust pipes should be replaced. Refer to Group 11—Exhaust Sys
tem/Intake Manifold for service information.
AIR
FILTER
HOUSING/CANISTER
Inspect the air filter assembly for proper fit. Verify
the cover is securely attached to the housing/canis
ter. Inspect all the air filter housing hoses for con nections. The gasket between the air filter housing and throttle body must be in good condition. The air
filter element should be clean and serviced according
to the maintenance schedule.
FUEL
REQUIREMENTS
GASOLINE
ENGINES
All engines require the use of unleaded gasoline to
reduce the effects of lead to the environment. Also unleaded fuel is necessary to prevent damage to the
catalytic converter/02 sensor. The fuel must have a
minimum octane rating of 87 based on the (R + M)/2
calculation method.

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

•
FRONT SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 - 1
CONTENTS
page
FRONT SUSPENSION—2WD VEHICLES
......
7
FRONT SUSPENSION—4WD VEHICLES
14
FRONT WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
...............
3
GENERAL INFORMATION
1
page
MODEL
44
FRONT AXLE
17
MODEL
80
FRONT AXLE
49
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
75
GENERAL
INFORMATION
FRONT SUSPENSION—2WD VEHICLES
All two-wheel drive (2WD)
Ram
Truck
and
Ram
charger vehicles
are
equipped with (Fig
1);
• Steering knuckles
• Stabilizer
bar
(optional) • Suspension arms
• Strut
rod
• Coil springs
• Dual-action shock absorbers
• Jounce bumpers (used
to
limit
the
travel
of the
suspension) The upper and lower suspension arms (Fig.
1)
have
replaceable bushings located
at the
inboard end.
Re
placeable ball studs
are
located
at
the
outboard end.
The lower suspension arms
are
equipped with ten sion-type ball studs. The upper suspension arms also
provide
for
caster
and
camber adjustments.
STABILIZER
BAR
J9102-67
Fig. 1 Front Suspension—2WD Vehicles
FRONT SUSPENSION—4WD VEHICLES
All four-wheel drive (4WD) Ram Truck
and
Ram
charger vehicles
are
equipped with (Fig
2);
• Leaf-springs (fixed-rate type)
• Dual-action shock absorbers • Stabilizer
bar
(optional)
• Jounce bumpers (used
to
limit
the
travel
of the
suspension)
Air-adjustable shock absorbers
are
installed
on
ve
hicles equipped with
the
Heavy Duty Snow Plow Package with
the
Diesel engine. Refer
to
the Own
ers Manual
for
additional information.
FRONT DRIVE AXLE The front axle
on 4WD Ram
Truck
and
Ram
charger vehicles
has a
hypoid gear differential.
Model
44
and
60
axles consists
of
an iron center cast
ing with axle shaft tubes extending from either side.
Ram Truck
and
Ramcharger vehicles equipped
for
standard duty 4WD operation use
the
Model
44
front
axle.
Vehicles equipped
for
heavy duty 4WD operation
use
a Model 60 front axle. The Model 60 front axle has lock
ing hubs that must
be
engaged
for
4WD operation.
The steel cover provides
a
means
for
service with
out removing
the
complete axle. A metal axle gear ratio identification
tag is at
tached
to the
housing cover
via one of the
cover
bolts.
This
tag
also identifies
the
number
of
ring and
pinion gear teeth.
IDENTIFICATION Model
44 and 60
axles have
the
assembly part
number
and
gear ratio listed
on a
tag. The
tag
is at
tached
to
the
left side
of
the housing cover (Fig.
3,
4).
Build date identification codes
on
axles
are
stamped
on
the
axle shaft tube cover side.
LUBRICANTS
Multi-purpose API
GL
5
quality hypoid gear lubri
cant should
be
used
for
front axles. MOPAR Hypoid Gear Lubricant conforms
to
these specifications. The axle
has a
fitting
for a
vent hose used
to re
lieve internal pressure. If the front axle
is
submerged
in
water,
the
lu
bricant must
be
replaced immediately.
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE

2 - 4 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE
•
I
FRONT END
|
|*?£E;
LOOSE
OR WORN
FRONT WHEEL
BEARINGS
LOOSE
C
SHOCKS
MOUNTir
WAR
SHOCK
A )RWORN
JSORBER
nIG
HARD-
E
OR
BSORBER
EXCiSSIVE
PLAY
STEERING
LINKAGE
LOOSE
OR WORN
FRONT WHEEL
BEARINGS
LOOSE
C
STEERINC
SHAFT
C
)RWORN
7
COLUMN
OUPLING
DIFFICULT
STEERING
LOOSE
OR WORN
WHEEL BEARINGS
TIRE/V
OUT OF
f
VHEEL
JA
LANCE
LOW OR UNEVEN
TIRE
AIR
PRESSURE
LO(
WHEEL B
DSE
EARINGS
LOW OR UNEVEN
TIRE AIR
PRESSURE
1vsnciEi
I
1
PULLS
TO I
I
|
ONE SIDE
j
LOOSE,
WORN
OR
GLAZED
P/S PUMP BELT LOW OR UNEVEN
TIRE PRESSURE
WHILE BR
REFE
BRAKES
AKING—
R
TO
SERVICE
LOOSE
STEERING
GEAR-TO-FRAME
RAIL BOLTS
LOOSE
STEERING
GEAR-TO-FRAME
RAIL BOLTS UNEVEN TIRE TREAD
WEAR,
OR
EX
CESSIVELY
WORN TIRE TREAD
BROKEN
OR WEAK
REAR
SPRING LOW
POWER STEERING
FLUID
LEVEL
BROKEN
OR WEAK
REAR
SPRING
WORN
UPPER
SUSPENSION ARM BUSHINGS WORN TIE-
ROD
END
BALL
STUDS WORN TIE-
ROD
END
BALL
STUDS
SHOCK
ABSORBER
NOT FUNCTIONING
CORRECTLY
LACK
OF ASSIST
FROM POWER
STEERING
PUMP
LOOSE
OR WORN
SUSPENSION
BUSHINGS
WORN LOWER
SUSPENSION
ARM
PIVOT
BUSHINGS INCORRECT
STEERING
GEAR ADJUSTMENT
LOOSE
OR WORN
SUSPENSION
ARM
BUSHINGS
INCORRECT
STEERING
GEAR ADJUSTMENT
BALL
STUDS
REQUIRE
LUBRICATION INCORRECT FRONT
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (EITHER CASTER OR CAMBER)
LOOSE
LOWER
SUSPENSION
ARM
LOOSE
OR WORN
UPPER
SUSPENSION ARM BALL STUDS
LOOSE
OR WORN
SUSPENSION
ARM
BUSHINGS
STEERING
GEAR
LUBRICANT LEVEL LOW
WORN ISOLATOR
PAD
BETWEEN COIL
SPRING
AND
FRAME
BRACKET INCORRECT FRONT-
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (PARTICULARLY
CASTER)
INCORRECT FRONT
WHEEL ALIGNMENT INCORRECT
STEERING
GEAR ADJUSTMENT
STEERING
GEAR
MALFUNCTION
INCORRECT FRONT
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (PARTICULARLY
CASTER)
J9002-97
SUSPENSION AND STEERING
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSIS

•
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 - 5 (4) Front wheels for excessive radial, lateral
runout and unbalance. Refer to Group 22, Wheels and Tires for diagnosis information.
(5) Suspension components for wear and noise. Check
components for correct torque. Refer to Groups 2 and 3, Suspension and Axle for additional information.
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
MEASUREMENTS/ADJUSTMENTS
The front wheel alignment positions must be set to
the specified limits. This will prevent abnormal tire
tread wear. The equipment manufacturer's recommenda
tions for use of their
equipment
should always
be followed. All
damaged
front suspension sys
tem components
should
be replaced. Do not at tempt to straighten any
bent
component.
CAMBER AND CASTER-2WD VEHICLES Camber and caster angle adjustments involve repo
sitioning the upper suspension arm cam adjustment
bolts (Fig. 2). Alignment adjustments are accom
plished by loosening the nuts and changing the posi
tion of the cam bolt.
(1) Remove all foreign material from the adjust
ment bolt threads.
(2) Record the camber and caster measurements
before loosening the adjustment bolt nuts.
(3) The camber angle should be adjusted as near as
possible to the preferred angle. The caster should be
the same at both sides of the vehicle. Refer to the Specifications chart.
CAMBER AND CASTER—4WD VEHICLES For 4WD vehicles, the correct wheel camber (verti
cal tilt) angle is factory preset at zero degree (0°).
Camber cannot be altered by adjustment.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to
adjust
the
camber
an
gle by
heating
or bending the axle or any
suspen
sion
component. If camber angle is
incorrect,
the
component(s)
causing
an
incorrect
angle must be replaced.
(1) It is important that the camber (vertical tilt)
angle be the same for both front wheels.
(2) The camber angle should be measured with ac
curate wheel alignment equipment. The acceptable
range is -1° to +1°. Refer to the Specifications chart.
Road test the vehicle and observe the steering
wheel return-to-center position. Before road testing,
check
and
correct
the tire
inflation pressures. Inflate
both
of the front tires
with exactly the
same
pressure.
During the road test, make vehicle turns to both
the left and right. If the steering wheel returns to
ward the center position unassisted, the caster angle is correct. However, if the steering wheel does not re turn toward the center position unassisted, an incor
rect caster angle is probable.
(1) The caster angle is factory preset at positive
two degrees
(
+
2°).
The acceptable range is +1/2° to +
3
1/2°.
(2) The caster angle should be measured with ac
curate wheel alignment equipment.
(3) Caster angle can be adjusted by installing ta
pered shims between the front axle pads and the spring brackets. The caster angle should be adjusted
as near as possible to the preferred angle.
(4) Record the caster measurement before remov
ing the original shims from the spring pads.
(5) The caster should be the same at both sides of
the vehicle. Refer to the Specifications chart.
RN1030
Fig.
2 Caster &
Camber
Adjustment Location—2WD
Vehicles
WHEEL TOE POSITION The wheel toe position adjustment should be the fi
nal front wheel alignment adjustment. In all in stances, follow the equipment manufacturer's
recommended procedure.
(1) Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels
in the straight-ahead position. For vehicles equipped
with power steering, start the engine before straight ening the wheels.
With power steering, the engine should be op
erating during the wheel toe position adjust
ment.
(2) Loosen the tie rod adjustment sleeve clamp
bolts (Fig. 3).
(3) Adjust the wheel toe position by rotating the
tie rod adjustment sleeve (Fig. 3). Rotate each tie-rod end in the direction of
sleeve rotation during the adjustment (Fig. 3).
This will ensure that both tie-rod ends are at the center of their travel.
(4) If applicable, turn the ignition switch off.

•
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 • 7
FRONT SUSPENSION
—2WD
VEHICLES
INDEX
page
Coil Springs
9
Lower Ball Stud
. 10
Lower Suspension
Arm 10
Lower Suspension
Arm
Bushing
11
Lower Suspension
Arm
Strut
8
Service
Information
7
Shock
Absorber
9
page
Stabilizer
Bar 8
Steering Knuckle
13
Upper Ball Stud
11
Upper Suspension
Arm 11
Upper Suspension
Arm
Bushing Replacement
. . . 12
Wheel
Hub and
Bearings
7
SERVICE
INFORMATION
Periodic lubrication of the front suspension (steer
ing) system components is required. Refer to Group 0, Lubrication And Maintenance for the service in
terval.
Rubber bushings must never be lubricated.
All front suspension components that are
cushioned by rubber should be tightened with
the suspension system at the normal height.
WHEEL
HUB
AND
BEARINGS
REMOVAL (1) Block the brake pedal in the up (non-depressed)
position.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle.
(3) Remove the wheel.
(4) Remove bolts from the disc brake caliper.
(5) Separate the disc brake caliper from the rotor.
Position and support the caliper away from the im
mediate work area. Do not allow the caliper to
hang from the brake fluid hose.
(6) Remove the dust cap, cotter pin, and remaining
hub components from the spindle (Fig. 1).
CAUTION:
Use care
to
prevent
the
inner wheel bear
ing
and
bearing seal from contacting
the
steering
knuckle spindle threads during removal
(Fig. 1).
Otherwise,
the
threads, bearing,
and
seal could
all
be damaged.
(7) Carefully slide the wheel hub/rotor from steer
ing knuckle spindle (Fig. 1).
(8) For bearing cleaning or replacement, remove
the seal and inner wheel bearing from the wheel
hub/rotor bore (Fig. 1).
CLEANING AND INSPECTION (1) Thoroughly clean both wheel bearings and in
terior of the hub/rotor (Fig. 1). Remove all of the residual lubricant.
(2) To clean the bearings:
• Soak them in an appropriate cleaning solvent
BRAKE
INNER
Fig.
1 Front
Wheel
Bearings
&
Hub/Rotor
• Strike the flat of each bearing against a hardwood
block several times • Flush bearing between strikes
• Repeat the procedure above until each bearing is
clean
• Dry the bearings with compressed air but do not spin them
(3) After cleaning, apply engine oil to each bear
ing. (4) Rotate each bearing slowly while applying
downward force. Examine the rollers for pitting and
roughness. Replace worn or otherwise defective bear
ings.
If a bearing has pitted and/or rough surfaced
rollers, replace both the bearing and bearing cup (Fig. 1).
(5) If reusable, remove the engine oil from each
bearing. Pack each bearing with multi-purpose NLGI, grade 2, EP-type lubricant. Place the bearings
in a clean, safe place.
Ensure that lubricant is forced into all the cav
ities between the bearing cage and rollers.

2
- 8
FRONT SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
• INSTALLATION
(1) If a bearing and cup must be replaced, remove
the cup from the wheel hub/rotor bore (Fig. 1). Use a
brass drift or an appropriate removal tool to tap out
the cup.
(2) Install the replacement bearing cup(s) with an
appropriate installation tool. (3) Apply lubricant to surface area of the wheel
hub/rotor bore. Install the inner wheel bearing in the
hub/rotor. Install a replacement bearing seal with an appropriate seal installation tool. (4) Inspect the bearing and seal contact surfaces on
the steering knuckle spindle for burrs and/or rough ness (Fig. 1).
(5) Remove all the rough contact surfaces from the
spindle. Apply a coating of multi-purpose NLGI,
grade 2, EP-type lubricant to the spindle surface.
CAUTION: Us© care to prevent the inner
wheel
bear
ing
and bearing
seal
from contacting the steering
knuckle
spindle
threads during removal (Fig. 1).
Otherwise,
the threads, bearing, and
seal
could
be
damaged.
(6) Carefully slide the wheel hub/rotor onto the
spindle.
Install the outer wheel bearing, the washer and
nut.
(7) Tighten the nut to 41 to 54 Nnn (30 to 40 ft.
lbs.) torque while rotating the wheel hub/rotor. Stop
the hub/rotor and loosen the nut to completely re
lease the bearing preload torque. Next, tighten the
nut finger-tight, install the nut lock. Install a re
placement cotter pin.
(8) The wheel bearing adjustment (above) should
have 0.001 to 0.003 inch (0.254 to 0.0762 mm) end
play.
(9) Clean the dust cap. Apply a coating of multi
purpose NLGI, grade 2, EP-type lubricant to internal surface. Install the cap. Do not fill the dust cap with lubricant. (10) Install the brake caliper, refer to Group 5,
Brakes. (11) Install the wheel and tire, refer to Wheel and
Tire Installation in this section. Lower the vehicle.
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM STRUT
REMOVAL (1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Use a small drift and a hammer to drive the
spring pin from the front of the strut. Remove the
spring pin, nut, retainer and bushing from the end of
the strut (Fig. 2).
(3) Remove the strut rear bolts and jounce bumper
from the bracket. Remove the strut from the vehicle (Fig. 2).
NUT
FRONT
RETAINER
STRUT
J9002-120
Fig. 2 Lower Suspension Arm Strut Removal/ Installation INSTALLATION
(1) Position the rear retainer and rear bushing on
the front end of the strut (Fig. 2).
(2) Carefully slide the strut into position. Install
the rear bolts. Tighten the bolts to 182 Nnn (135 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install the front bushing, front retainer and
nut at the front end of the strut. Tighten the nut
with 70 Nnn (52 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Install the spring pin.
STABILIZER
BAR
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the link rod nut at each end of the sta
bilizer bar (Fig. 3). Fig. 3 Stabilizer Bar

•
FRONT
SUSPENSION
AND
AXLE
2 - 11 (2) Position the seal over the ball stud (if neces
sary, use a replacement seal). Force portion of the
seal downward on the ball stud housing with an ap
propriate size socket wrench until it is securely locked in place.
(3) Install lower suspension arm using procedure
under Lower Suspension Arm Installation.
LOWER SUSPENSION
ARM
BUSHING
REMOVAL (1) Follow procedure under Coil Spring and Lower
Suspension Arm Removal.
(2) Use an arbor press and an appropriate size
sleeve to force the original bushing from the lower
suspension arm bore.
INSTALLATION (1) Use an arbor press and an appropriate size
sleeve to force the replacement bushing into the
lower suspension arm bore. Ensure that it is com
pletely seated in the bore.
(2) Install the lower suspension arm according to in
structions provided within the installation procedure.
UPPER SUSPENSION
ARM REMOVAL (1) Raise the vehicle. Position support stands un
der the frame rail and lower the front of the hoist.
Remove the wheel/tire.
(2) Remove shock absorber, refer to above proce
dures.
(3) Install Spring Compressor DD-1278 (Fig. 5).
Tighten the nut finger-tight and then loosen it 1/2 of- a-turn.
(4) Remove the cotter pins and the ball stud nuts.
(5) Install Ball Stud Remover C^3564-A (Fig. 8).
Turn the threaded portion of the tool to lock it se curely against the upper ball stud (Fig. 8). Spread
the tool enough to apply force against the upper ball stud. Strike the steering knuckle sharply with a
hammer to loosen the upper ball stud. Do not at
tempt to force the ball stud out of the steering knuckle bore with the loosening tool.
(6) Remove the loosening tool. Remove the nuts,
eccentric (cam) bolts and suspension arm from the
vehicle (Fig. 9).
INSTALLATION (1) Position the suspension arm and install the ec
centric (cam) bolts (Fig. 9). and nuts finger-tight.
(2) Install upper ball stud into steering knuckle.
Install nuts on the ball studs. Tighten to 142 N« (105
ft. lbs.) torque. Install replacement cotter pins.
(3) Remove the spring compressor tool (Fig. 5).
Fig.
8
Ball
Stud
Loosening
Tool Installed
(4) Install the shock absorber. Tighten nut to 34
N*m (25 ft. lbs.) torque and lower bolts to 23 N*m (200 in. lbs.) torque.
(5) Install the wheel/tire. Raise the vehicle, remove
the support stands and lower the vehicle to the surface.
(6) Adjust the caster and camber angles. Tighten
the eccentric (cam) nuts to 95 N*m (70 ft. lbs.)
torque.
UPPER BALL STUD
INSPECTION (1) Position a floor jack under the lower suspension
arm. Raise the wheel and allow the tire to lightly
contact the floor (vehicle weight relieved from the
tire).
(2) Grasp the top of the tire and apply force in and
out. Look for any movement at the ball joints be
tween the upper suspension arm and steering knuckle.
(3) If any lateral movement is evident, replace the
ball joint.
REMOVAL (1) Position a support under the outer end of the
lower suspension arm. Lower the vehicle so that the
support compresses the coil spring.
(2) Remove the wheel/tire.
(3) Remove the ball stud nuts. Use Ball Stud Re
mover C-3564-A to loosen the upper ball stud (Fig.
8).
(4) Use Wrench C-3561 to un-thread the upper ball
stud from the upper suspension arm.