1998 DODGE RAM 1500 wheel bolts

INSTALLATION
NOTE: Before installing gear inspect bushings and
replace if worn or damaged.
NOTE: In the frame there is two holes for the
mounting of the steering gear one is slotted and
one is round, When tightening the gear to specifi-
cations make sure to tighten the mounting bolt with
the hole first to avoided movement of the steering
gear.
(1) Install the gear on the front crossmember and
tighten the mounting bolts to 319 N´m (235 ft. lbs.).
(Fig. 4) & (Fig. 3).
(2) Slide the shaft coupler onto the gear. Install
newpinch bolt and tighten to 49 N´m (36 ft. lbs.).
(3) Clean and dry the tie rod end studs and the
knuckle tapers.
(4) Install the tie rod ends into the steering knuck-
les and tighten the nuts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) thenan additional 90É. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINK-
AGE/TIE ROD END - INSTALLATION).
(5) Install the pressure power steering hose to the
steering gear and tighten to 32 N´m (23 ft. lbs.).
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES - INSTAL-
LATION).
(6) Install the return power steering hose to the
steering gear and tighten to 71 N´m (52 ft. lbs.).
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES - INSTAL-
LATION).
(7) Install the front skid plate (Refer to 13 -
FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/FRONT SKID PLATE
- INSTALLATION).
(8) Install the tire and wheel assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(9) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
(10) Fill the system with fluid, (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/PUMP - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(11) Adjust the toe position. (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
Fig. 3 STEERING GEAR 4X2
1-SWAYBAR
2 - STEERING GEAR
3 - LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END
4 - LOWER CONTROL ARMS
5 - LEFT INNER & RIGHT OUTER (TIE ROD ENDS)
Fig. 4 STEERING GEAR 4X4
1 - FRONT AXLE
2 - STEERING GEAR MOUNTING NUTS & BUSHINGS
19 - 18 GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONDR
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Rack and Pinion Steering
Gear
Gear to Frame Bolts319 235 Ð
Rack and Pinion Steering
Gear
Coupler Bolt49 36 Ð
Tie Rod End
Knuckle Nut61
Then tighten an additional
90É45
Then tighten an additional
90ÉÐ
Tie Rod End
Jam Nut75 55 Ð
Power Steering Line
Pressure Line32 23 Ð
Power Steering Line
Return Line71 52 Ð
Power Steering Line
Pressure Line To Pump37 27 Ð
BUSHING
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the steering gear (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
CAUTION: Do not overtighten the vise on the gear
case.
(2) Mount the steering gear in a soft jawed vise.
NOTE: If the bushings are seized a brass punch can
be used to remove the bushings from the gear
using care not to strike the gear.
(3) Remove the front mounting bushings.
(4) Remove the rear mounting bushings.
(5) Remove the steering gear from the vise and
place it on the bench.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Coat all bushings with a thin rubber lubri-
cate oil prior to installation.
NOTE: A rubber mallet can be used to assist in the
installation of the bushings once lubricated.
(1) Coat the rear bushings with a thin rubber
lubricate oil then install the rear bushings using a
rubber mallet to seat the bushings in the gear.
(2) Coat the front bushings with a thin rubber
lubricate oil then install the front bushings using a
rubber mallet to seat the bushings in the gear.
(3) Install the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
(4) Adjust the toe position (if necessary) (Refer to 2
- SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE).
DRGEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 19 - 19
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION (Continued)

GEAR - LINK/COIL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR - LINK/COIL
DESCRIPTION.........................20
OPERATION...........................20
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................21
ADJUSTMENTS
ADJUSTMENT........................21
SPECIFICATIONS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............22
TORQUE CHART......................23
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............23
PITMAN SHAFT SEAL
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - GAS ENGINE...............25REMOVAL - DIESEL...................25
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - GAS ENGINE...........26
INSTALLATION - DIESEL................26
STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT SEAL
REMOVAL.............................27
INSTALLATION.........................29
PITMAN SHAFT
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - GAS......................30
REMOVAL - DIESEL...................30
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - GAS..................31
INSTALLATION - DIESEL................31
GEAR - LINK/COIL
DESCRIPTION
The power steering gear is a recirculating ball type
gear (Fig. 1). The gear ratio's used are 12.5:1.
OPERATION
The gear acts as a rolling thread between the
worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is sup-
ported by a thrust bearing at the lower end and a
bearing assembly at the upper end. When the worm
shaft is turned from input from the steering column
the rack piston moves. The rack piston teeth mesh
with the pitman shaft. Turning the worm shaft, turns
the pitman shaft, which turns the steering linkage.
REMOVAL
(1) Place the front wheels in a straight-ahead posi-
tion.
NOTE: The steering column on vehicles with an
automatic transmission may not be equipped with
an internal locking shaft that allows the ignition key
cylinder to be locked with the key. Alternative meth-
ods of locking the steering wheel for service will
have to be used.
(2) Lock the steering wheel.
(3) Siphon out as much power steering fluid as
possible.
Fig. 1 STEERING GEAR
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - OUTLET
3 - INLET
4 - VALVE ASSEMBLY HOUSING
5 - PITMAN SHAFT COVER BOLTS
6 - STEERING GEAR
7 - MESHLOAD ADJUSTER NUT
8 - PITMAN SHAFT
19 - 20 GEAR - LINK/COILDR

(4) Disconnect and cap the fluid hoses from steer-
ing gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES -
REMOVAL).
(5) Remove coupler pinch bolt at the steering gear
and slide shaft off gear (Fig. 2).
(6) Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for
installation reference. Remove the pitman arm from
the shaft with Puller C-4150A (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - REMOVAL), (Fig. 3).
(7) Remove steering gear three mounting bolts
(Fig. 4). Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the steering gear on the frame rail and
install the three mounting bolts (Fig. 4). Tighten the
mounting bolts to 196 N´m (145 ft. lbs.).(2) Align steering coupler on gear shaft. Install
pinch bolt and tighten to 49 N´m (36 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Align and install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLA-
TION).
(4) Install the washer and retaining nut on the pit-
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 305 N´m (225 ft. lbs.).
(5) Connect fluid hoses to steering gear (Refer to
19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES - INSTALLATION),
tighten to 31 N´m (23 ft. lbs.).
(6) Add fluid, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(7) Reset the toe and center the steering wheel
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
ADJUSTMENTS
ADJUSTMENT
CAUTION: Steering gear must be adjusted in the
proper order. If adjustments are not performed in
order, gear damage and improper steering response
may result.
NOTE: Adjusting the steering gear in the vehicle is
not recommended. Remove gear from the vehicle
and drain the fluid. Then mount gear in a vise to
perform adjustments.
(1) Remove the steering gear from the vehicle
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
(2) Mount the gear carefully into a soft-jawed vise.
Fig. 2 COLUMN SHAFT
1 - STEERING COUPLER
2 - STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT
Fig. 3 PITMAN ARM REMOVAL
1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - C-4150A PULLER
Fig. 4 STEERING GEAR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - MOUNTING BOLTS (3)
DRGEAR - LINK/COIL 19 - 21
GEAR - LINK/COIL (Continued)

PITMAN SHAFT SEAL
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - GAS ENGINE
(1) Seperate the pitman arm from the gear box
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM -
REMOVAL).
(2) Clean exposed end of pitman shaft and housing
with a wire brush.
(3) Rotate the steering wheel from stop to stop and
count the number of turns.
(4) Center the steering wheel by rotating it from
the stop back 1 1/2 turns to achieve center position.
(5) Remove the pitman shaft cover bolts.
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(6) Remove the pitman shaft from the gear.
(7) Remove dust seal from the housing with a spe-
cial tool (Fig. 5).
CAUTION: Use care not to score the housing bore
when prying out seals and washer.
(8) Remove retaining ring with snap ring pliers.
(9) Remove washer from the housing.
NOTE: Tighten the slide hammer adapter 8990 into
the seal using wrenches, in order to make a tight fit
to pull the seal out. If this is not performed the seal
may tear on the removal making it difficult to
remove.(10) Remove oil seal from the housing with a spe-
cial tool 8990 with slide hammer C-3752.
REMOVAL - DIESEL
(1) Seperate the pitman arm from the gear box
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM -
REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the steering gear box (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
(3) Install the steering gear in a soft jawed bench
vise.
(4) Clean exposed end of pitman shaft and housing
with a wire brush.
(5) Rotate the input shaft with a 12 point socket
from stop to stop and count the number of turns (Fig.
6).
(6) Center the input shaft by rotating it from the
stop 1/2 of the total amount of turns (Fig. 6).
(7) Remove the pitman shaft cover bolts.
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(8) Remove the pitman shaft from the gear.
(9) Remove dust seal from the housing with a spe-
cial tool 8990 (Fig. 5).
CAUTION: Use care not to score the housing bore
when prying out seals.
(10) Remove retaining ring with snap ring pliers.
(11) Remove washer from the housing.
Fig. 5 SLIDE HAMMER
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - SLIDE HAMMER C-3752 USED WITH SPECIAL TOOL
ADAPTER
8990
Fig. 6 CENTERING STEERING GEAR
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - 12 POINT SOCKET
3 - RATCHET
4 - INPUT SHAFT
DRGEAR - LINK/COIL 19 - 25

(11) Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
(12) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
STEERING GEAR INPUT
SHAFT SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the steering gear from the vehicle
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
CAUTION: Do not overtighten the vise on the gear
case. This may affect the adjustment
(2) Mount the steering gear upside down over a
drain pan in a soft jawed vise.
(3) Place a drain pan under the gear and rotate
the input shaft back and forth several times lock-to-
lock to discharge the fluid from the steering gear
(4) Drain all the remaining fluid from the gear.
(5) Rotate the input shaft from stop to stop and
count the number of turns using a 12 point socket
(Fig. 9).
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(6) Center the input shaft by rotating it from the
stop back 1 1/2 turns to achieve center position (Fig.
9).(7) Remove the pitman shaft (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/GEAR/PITMAN SHAFT - REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the four bolts securing the valve hous-
ing.
(9) Remove the valve housing from the steering
gear (Fig. 10).
(10) Remove the valve housing and wormshaft
assembly from the steering gear housing and place
the valve housing in a soft jawed vise (Fig. 11).
Fig. 9 CENTERING STEERING GEAR
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - 12 POINT SOCKET
3 - RATCHET
4 - INPUT SHAFT
Fig. 10 VALVE ASSEMBLY
1 - VALVE HOUSING
2 - WORMSHAFT BALLS
3 - STEERING GEAR HOUSING
Fig. 11 VALVE HOUSING AND WORMSHAFT
1 - VALVE HOUSING
2 - SET SCREW
3 - RETAINER RING
DRGEAR - LINK/COIL 19 - 27
PITMAN SHAFT SEAL (Continued)

(7) Install the input shaft seal protector 8986 (Fig.
20).
(8) Coat the new seal inhigh temp greaseand
Install the new oil seal using special tool 8987 driver
and C-4171 handle (Fig. 21).
NOTE: Drive the oil seal into the housing until the
outer edge does not quite clear the snap ring
groove.
(9) Insert the snap ring into the housing. Using
special tool 8987 driver and C-4171 handle push the
snap ring and oil seal together until the snap ring
seats in the groove.NOTE: Generous amounts of the high temperature
grease from the seal kit should be applied to areas
between the pitman shaft bearing and oil seals and
also between the dust seals and snap ring.
(10) Install the new dust seal usinghigh temp
grease, special tool C-4171 (driver) and 8987 (han-
dle).
(11) Check to make sure the gear is centered in
the middle tooth before installing the pitman shaft
(Fig. 19).
(12) Install the pitman shaft into the steering gear
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR/PITMAN SHAFT -
INSTALLATION).
(13) Perform over-center meshload adjustment
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
(14) Install the steering gear to the vehicle (Refer
to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
(15) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
PITMAN SHAFT
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - GAS
(1) Separate the pitman arm from the gear box
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM -
REMOVAL).
(2) Clean exposed end of pitman shaft and housing
with a wire brush.
(3) Rotate the steering wheel from stop to stop and
count the number of turns.
(4) Center the steering wheel by rotating it from
the stop back 1 1/2 turns to achieve center position.
(5) Remove the pitman shaft cover bolts.
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(6) Remove the pitman shaft from the gear (Fig.
22).
(7) Remove the cover if needed by loosing the
adjuster nut, Then removing the cover from the pit-
man shaft.
REMOVAL - DIESEL
(1) Separate the pitman arm from the gear box
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM -
REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the steering gear box (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
(3) Install the steering gear in a soft jawed bench
vise.
Fig. 20 INPUT SHAFT SEAL PROTECTOR
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8986
Fig. 21 INPUT SHAFT SEAL INSTALLATION
1 - VALVE HOUSING
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8987
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
19 - 30 GEAR - LINK/COILDR
STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT SEAL (Continued)

(4) Clean exposed end of pitman shaft and housing
with a wire brush.
(5) Rotate the stub shaft with a 12 point socket
from stop to stop and count the number of turns (Fig.
23).
(6) Center the stub shaft by rotating it from the
stop 1/2 of the total amount of turns (Fig. 23).
(7) Remove the pitman shaft cover bolts.
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(8)
Remove the pitman shaft from the gear (Fig. 24).
(9) Remove the cover if needed by loosing the
adjuster nut, Then removing the cover from the pit-
man shaft.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - GAS
(1) Coat the seal withpower steering fluid.
(2) Install pitman shaft into the steering gear until
it fully seats into the bearing.
(3) Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68
N´m (50 ft. lbs.).
(4) Perform over-center meshload adjustment,
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
(5) Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
(6) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
INSTALLATION - DIESEL
(1) Coat the seal withpower steering fluid.
(2) Install the pitman shaft into the steering gear
until it fully seats into the bearing.
(3) Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68
N´m (50 ft. lbs.).
(4) Perform over-center meshload adjustment
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
(5) Install the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
(6) Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
(7) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
Fig. 22 PITMAN SHAFT
1 - PITMAN SHAFT
2 - O-RING SEAL
3 - COVER
4 - ADJUSTING NUT
Fig. 23 CENTERING STEERING GEAR
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - 12 POINT SOCKET
3 - RATCHET
4 - INPUT SHAFT
Fig. 24 PITMAN SHAFT
1 - PITMAN SHAFT
2 - O-RING SEAL
3 - COVER
4 - ADJUSTING NUT
DRGEAR - LINK/COIL 19 - 31
PITMAN SHAFT (Continued)