1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Alignment

INSTALLATION - OUTER TIE ROD END
NOTE: Do not twist the boot at anytime during
removal or installation.
(1) Thread the outer tie rod end onto the inner tie
rod, to it's original position (Fig. 2).
(2) Install the outer tie rod end into the steering
knuckle (Fig. 2).
(3) Tighten the ball stud nut on the ball stud to 61
N´m (45 ft. lbs.) then an additional 90É.
(4) Set wheel toe pattern, (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(5) Tighten jam nut to 75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 TIE ROD END
1 - JAM NUT
2 - TIE ROD - INNER
3 - TIE ROD END - OUTER
DRLINKAGE - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 19 - 33
TIE ROD END (Continued)

LINKAGE - LINK/COIL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
LINKAGE - LINK/COIL
DESCRIPTION.........................34
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LUBRICATION....34
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART......................35
SPECIAL TOOLS
STEERING LINKAGE...................35
DAMPER
REMOVAL.............................36
INSTALLATION.........................36
DRAG LINK
REMOVAL.............................36INSTALLATION.........................36
PITMAN ARM
REMOVAL.............................36
INSTALLATION.........................37
TIE ROD END
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................37
TRACK BAR
REMOVAL.............................38
INSTALLATION.........................38
LINKAGE - LINK/COIL
DESCRIPTION
The steering linkage is comprised of a tie rod end, tie
rod, drag link, steering damper and pitman arm (Fig. 1).
CAUTION: If any steering components are replaced
or serviced an alignment must be performed.
NOTE: To avoid damaging ball stud seals, use
Puller C-3894±A or an appropriate puller to remove
tie rod ends (Fig. 2).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LUBRICATION
Periodic lubrication of the steering system compo-
nents is required. Refer to Lubrication And Mainte-
nance for the recommended maintenance schedule.
The following components must be lubricated:
²Tie rod
²Tie rod end
²Drag link
Fig. 1 LINK/COIL FRONT SUSPENSION
1 - STABILIZER BAR
2 - PITMAN ARM
3 - STEERING GEAR
4 - STABILIZER LINK
5 - TIE ROD ENDS
6 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS
7 - DRAG LINK
8 - TRACK BAR
9 - DAMPER
10 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
Fig. 2 Ball Stud Puller
1 - CLAMP
2 - ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE
3 - PULLER TOOL C-3894±A
4 - SEAL
5 - TIE-ROD END
19 - 34 LINKAGE - LINK/COILDR

DAMPER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the steering damper mounting nuts
and bolts.
(2) Slide the damper from the isolation bushing.
(3) Remove the damper.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the steering damper on the axle and iso-
lation bushing. Tighten nut to 95 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install the steering damper on the tie rod.
Tighten nut to 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.).
DRAG LINK
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the draglink nut from the pitman arm
side.
(2)
Remove the drag link nut from the knuckle side.
(3) Remove the drag link from the right knuckle
and pitman arm with Puller C-3894A (Fig. 3).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the drag link to the pitman arm. Install
the nut and tighten to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install the drag link to the right steering
knuckle. Install the nut and tighten to 108 N´m (80
ft. lbs.).
(3) Install tie rod to the left steering knuckle and
drag link. Install the nuts and tighten to 108 N´m
(80 ft. lbs.).
(4) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle to
the surface. Center steering wheel and adjust toe,
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(5) After adjustment tighten tie rod adjustment
sleeve clamp bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Position the clamp on the sleeve so retain-
ing bolt is located on the bottom side of the sleeve.
PITMAN ARM
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the drag link from the right knuckle
and pitman arm with Puller C-4150A (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 DRAGLINK REMOVAL
1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - DRAGLINK
3 - C -3894-A PULLERFig. 4 PITMAN ARM REMOVAL
1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - C-4150A PULLER
19 - 36 LINKAGE - LINK/COILDR

(2) Mark the pitman arm and shaft positions for
installation reference. Remove the nut and washer
from the pitman arm (Fig. 5). Remove the pitman
arm with Puller C-4150A.
INSTALLATION
(1) Align reference marks and install pitman arm.
(2) Install the lock washer and retaining nut on
the pitman shaft and tighten nut to 251 N´m (185 ft.
lbs.).
(3) Install the drag link to the pitman arm (Fig. 6).
Install the nut and tighten to 108 N´m (80 ft. lbs.).(4) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle to
the surface. Center steering wheel and adjust toe,
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(5) After adjustment tighten tie rod adjustment
sleeve clamp bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Position the clamp on the sleeve so retain-
ing bolt is located on the bottom side of the sleeve.
TIE ROD END
REMOVAL
(1) Remove tie rod nuts (Fig. 7).
(2) Remove tie rod from drag link and left knuckle
with Puller C-4150A.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install tie rod to the left steering knuckle and
drag link. Install the nuts and tighten to 108 N´m
(80 ft. lbs.).
(2) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle to
the surface. Center steering wheel and adjust toe,
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(3) After adjustment tighten tie rod adjustment
sleeve clamp bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Position the clamp on the sleeve so retain-
ing bolt is located on the bottom side of the sleeve.
Fig. 5 PITMAN ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - PITMAN ARM
3 - NUT
4 - WASHER
Fig. 6 PITMAN ARM INSTALLED
1 - DRAGLINK
2 - STEERING GEAR
3 - SWAYBAR
4 - NUT/WASHER
5 - PITMAN ARM
Fig. 7 TIE ROD ENDS
1 - NUT
2 - TIE ROD ENDS
DRLINKAGE - LINK/COIL 19 - 37
PITMAN ARM (Continued)

(12) Remove bolts that attach front housing to the
rear housing (Fig. 11). Three bolts at extreme rear of
housing are for the output shaft bearing retainer.
Leave one bolt in place until geartrain is ready to be
removed from case.(13) Separate the housings (Fig. 12) by tapping the
front housing off alignment dowels with a plastic
hammer.
(14) Remove input shaft bearing and countershaft
front bearing race (Fig. 13).
Fig. 11 HOUSING & BEARING RETAINER BOLT
1 - RETAINER BOLTS
2 - HOUSING BOLTS
3 - RETAINER BOLT
4 - HOUSING BOLT LOCATIONS
Fig. 12 FRONT HOUSING
1 - FRONT HOUSING
2 - REAR HOUSING
3 - DOWELS (2)
4 - PLASTIC MALLET
Fig. 13 Input Shaft Bearing and Countershaft Front
Bearing Race
1 - INPUT SHAFT BEARING
2 - FRONT HOUSING
3 - COUNTERSHAFT FRONT BEARING
21 - 6 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(6) Install assembled output shaft and geartrain in
input shaft (Fig. 85). Carefully rotate output shaft
until the 3-4 synchro ring seats in synchro hub and
sleeve.
(7) Install Adapter 6747-2A on front bearing hub of
countershaft, if not previously done. The shoulder
goes toward the countershaft.
(8) Slide countershaft (and adapter) into fixture
slot. Verify countershaft and output shaft gears are
fully meshed with the mainshaft gears before pro-
ceeding (Fig. 86).
(9) Check alignment of countershaft and output
shaft gear teeth. Gears may not align perfectly a dif-
ference in height of 1.57 to 3.18 mm (1/16 to 1/8 in.)
will probably exist. This will not interfere with
assembly. If difference is greater than this, the coun-
tershaft adapter tool is probably upside down.
(10) Position reverse idler in support cup of fixture
(Fig. 87). Verify idler gear is properly meshed and
aligned with shaft gear teeth and that bolt holes are
facing out from the geartrain. Adjust pedestal up or
down if necessary and verify short end of idler shaft
is facing up as shown.
Fig. 85 OUTPUT SHAFT, GEARTRAIN & INPUT
SHAFT
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - INPUT SHAFT
3 - FIXTURE 6747
Fig. 86 COUNTERSHAFT ON FIXTURE
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - COUNTERSHAFT (SLIDE INTO PLACE ON FIXTURE TOOL)
Fig. 87 REVERSE IDLER ASSEMBLY ON FIXTURE
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT AND GEARTRAIN
2 - COUNTERSHAFT
3 - REVERSE IDLER ASSEMBLY
4 - PEDESTAL
21 - 28 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500DR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(11) On 2-wheel drive transmission, thread one
Alignment Pin 8120 in center or passenger side hole
of output shaft bearing retainer. Then position
retainer on fifth gear as shown (Fig. 88).
(12) Assemble 1-2 and fifth reverse-shift forks (Fig.
89). Arm of fifth-reverse fork goes through slot in 1-2
fork.
(13) Install assembled shift forks in synchro
sleeves and verify forks are seated in sleeves (Fig.
90).
REAR HOUSING - 2WD
NOTE: Transmission shift components must be in
Neutral position to prevent damaging the synchro
and shift components when installing the housings.(1) Drive adapter housing alignment dowels back
into housing until dowels are flush with mounting
surface (Fig. 91).
Fig. 88 ALIGN OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER
1 - ALIGNMENT PIN
2 - OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING RETAINER
Fig. 89 1-2 & FIFTH-REVERSE SHIFT FORKS
1 - 1-2 FORK
2 - 1-2 FORK ARM
3 - FIFTH-REVERSE FORK
Fig. 90 SHIFT FORKS IN SYNCHRO
1 - SYNCHRO SLEEVES
2 - FORK ARMS
3 - SHIFT FORKS
Fig. 91 REAR HOUSING DOWELS
1 - HOUSING ALIGNMENT DOWELS
2 - REAR HOUSING
3 - DOWEL FLUSH WITH SURFACE
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 29
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)

(9) Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to
housing bolt threads, bolt shanks and under bolt
heads (Fig. 95).
(10) Start first two bolts in retainer (Fig. 96). It
may be necessary to move retainer rearward (with
pilot stud) in order to start bolts in retainer.
(11) Remove Alignment Pin 8120 and install last
retainer bolt (Fig. 96).
(12) Tighten retainer bolts to 30-35 N´m (22-26 ft.
lbs.).ADAPTER HOUSING - 4WD
NOTE: Transmission shift components must be in
Neutral to prevents damaging to the synchro and
shift components when installing the housings.
(1) Install rear bearing in adapter housing. Use
wood hammer handle or wood dowel to tap bearing
into place.
(2) Position rear bearing retainer in adapter hous-
ing (Fig. 97).
(3) Apply Mopar Gasket Maker or equivalent to
threads, bolt shanks and under hex heads of bearing
retainer bolts (Fig. 95).
(4) Apply liberal quantity of petroleum jelly to
countershaft rear bearing and bearing race.
(5) Install countershaft rear bearing in bearing
race (Fig. 93).
NOTE: Large diameter side of the roller retainer
faces the countershaft and the small diameter side
faces the race and housing (Fig. 93).
(6) Apply extra petroleum jelly to hold counter-
shaft rear bearing in place when housing is installed.
(7) Apply light coat of petroleum jelly to shift shaft
bushing/bearing in adapter housing (Fig. 93).
(8) Install adapter housing on geartrain.
Fig. 95 HOUSING BOLTS
1 - GASKET MAKER
2 - RETAINER AND HOUSING BOLTS
3 - APPLY SEALER TO UNDERSIDE OF BOLT HEAD, SHANK
AND THREADS
Fig. 96 Alitgnment Pin And Retainer Bolts
1 - BEARING RETAINER BOLT
2 - ALIGNMENT PIN
Fig. 97 ADAPTER HOUSING
1 - BEARING RETAINER
2 - RETAINER BOLT
3 - IDLER SHAFT NOTCH
4 - COUNTERSHAFT BEARING RACE
5 - REAR BEARING
DRMANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 21 - 31
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - NV3500 (Continued)