1998 DODGE RAM 1500 4 wheel drive

SPECIFICATIONS - FRAME DIMENSIONS
NOTE: Frame dimensions are listed in metric scale.
All dimensions are from center to center of Princi-
pal Locating Point (PLP), or from center to center of
PLP and fastener location.
VEHICLE PREPARATION
Position the vehicle on a level work surface. Using
screw or bottle jacks, adjust the vehicle PLP heights
to the specified dimension above a level work surface.
Vertical dimensions can be taken from the work sur-
face to the locations indicated were applicable.
INDEX
DESCRIPTION FIGURE
Frame Dimensional Graphics, Side
And Top View23
140.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
2 Wheel Drive24
140.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
4 Wheel Drive25
160.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
2 Wheel Drive26
160.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
4 Wheel Drive27
13 - 16 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 24 140.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 2 WHEEL DRIVE
13 - 18 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 25 140.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 4 WHEEL DRIVE
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 19
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 26 160.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 2 WHEEL DRIVE
13 - 20 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 27 160.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 4 WHEEL DRIVE
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 21
FRAME (Continued)

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove sensor from
its mounting bracket as electronic calibration will
be destroyed (sensor-to-bracket mounting screws
are permanently attached). Two accelerator lever
set screws (Fig. 3) are used to position lever. Do
not attempt to alter positions of these set screws as
electronic calibration will be destroyed.
(1) Disconnect both negative battery cables at both
batteries.
(2) Remove cable cover (Fig. 1). Cable cover is
attached with 2 Phillips screws, 2 plastic retention
clips and 2 push tabs (Fig. 1). Remove 2 Phillips
screws and carefully pry out 2 retention clips. After
clip removal, push rearward on front tab, and
upward on lower tab for cover removal.
(3) Using finger pressure only, disconnect end of
speed control servo cable from throttle lever pin by
pulling forward on connector while holding lever
rearward (Fig. 2).DO NOT try to pull connector
off perpendicular to lever pin. Connector will
be broken.
(4) Using two small screwdrivers, pry throttle
cable connector socket from throttle lever ball (Fig.
2).Be very careful not to bend throttle lever
arm.
(5) Disconnect transmission control cable at lever
arm (if equipped). Refer to 21, Transmission.
(6) Squeeze pinch tabs on speed control cable (Fig.
2) and pull cable rearward to remove from cable
mounting bracket.
(7) Squeeze pinch tabs on throttle cable (Fig. 2)
and pull cable rearward to remove from cable mount-
ing bracket.
(8) Refer to 21, Transmission for transmission con-
trol cable removal procedures.
(9) Disconnect wiring harness clip (Fig. 3) at bot-
tom of bracket.
(10) Remove 6 mounting bolts (Fig. 3) and par-
tially remove APPS assembly from engine. After
assembly is partially removed, disconnect electrical
connector from bottom of sensor by pushing on con-
nector tab (Fig. 4).
(11) Remove APPS assembly from engine.
Battery Tray Mounted Sensor :
The APPS is serviced (replaced) as one assembly
including the sensor, plastic housing and cable. The
APPS assembly is located under the left (drivers
side) vehicle battery tray (Fig. 5). Access to APPS is
gained from over top of left / front tire.
(1) Disconnect negative battery cable at battery.
(2) Disconnect APPS cable at accelerator pedal.
Refer to Accelerator Pedal Removal / Installation.
(3) Remove wheel house liner at left / front wheel.
Refer to Body.(4) Gain access to APPS electrical connector by
opening swing-down door (Fig. 6). Disconnect electri-
cal connector.
(5) Remove 3 mounting bolts (Fig. 6).
(6) Remove APPS assembly from battery tray.
Fig. 1 CABLE/LEVER/THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER
1 - CABLE/LEVER/LINKAGE COVER
2 - PUSH UP LOWER TAB
3 - SCREWS/CLIPS (2)
4 - TAB PUSH HERE
Fig. 2 SERVO CABLE AT THROTTLE LEVER
1 - PINCH (2) TABS
2 - CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET
3 - PINCH TABS (2)
4 - OFF
5 - THROTTLE CABLE
6 - THROTTLE LEVER
7 - THROTTLE LEVER PIN
8 - OFF
9 - CONNECTOR
10 - SPEED CONTROL CABLE
DRFUEL INJECTION - DIESEL 14 - 69
ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR (Continued)

STEERING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
STEERING
DESCRIPTION..........................1
OPERATION............................1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
STEERING SYSTEM....................2
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
STEERING FLOW AND PRESSURE........4
SPECIAL TOOLS
STEERING...........................5COLUMN...............................6
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION..17
GEAR - LINK/COIL.......................20
LINKAGE - INDEPENDENT FRONT
SUSPENSION...........................32
LINKAGE - LINK/COIL....................34
PUMP.................................39
STEERING
DESCRIPTION
CAUTION: MOPARTATF+4 is to be used in the
power steering system. No other power steering or
automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the
system. Damage may result to the power steering
pump and system if any other fluid is used, and do
not overfill.
Power steering systems consist of:
²Steering column
²Rack and pinion steering gear
²Belt driven hydraulic steering pump
²Pump pressure and return hoses
²Oil Cooler
OPERATION
The steering column shaft is attached to the gear
pinion. The rotation of the pinion moves the gear
rack from side-to-side. This lateral action of the rack
pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction
of the front wheels (Fig. 1).
Power assist is provided by an engine mounted
hydraulic pump which supplies hydraulic fluid pres-
sure to the steering gear.
Fig. 1 STEERING COMPONENTS
1 - POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY
2 - RESERVOIR
3 - HOSES
4 - TIE ROD ENDS
5 - MOUNTING BOLTS
6 - RACK & PINION
DRSTEERING 19 - 1

NOTE: When servicing the steering wheel after
removing the old bolt a new bolt must be used
when installing.
NOTE: When servicing the coupler a new bolt must
be used when installing.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
COLUMN
If the vehicle is involved in a front end collision/the
air bag has deployed the column must be inspected.
This inspection will determine if the Column has col-
lapsed. Inspect the column mounting capsules visu-
ally and manually push and pull them to check for
separation or fractures. If capsules are fractured or
have moved the column MUST be replaced.
REMOVAL
WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING
COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DIS-
ARMED. REFER TO ELECTRICAL RESTRAINT SYS-
TEM FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE TO DO
SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF
THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.CAUTION: All fasteners must be torqued to specifi-
cation to ensure proper operation of the steering
column.
(1) Position the front wheelsstraight ahead.
(2) Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from
the battery.
(3) Remove the two switches from the steering
wheel.
(4) Remove the airbag, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the steering wheel with special tool
CJ98±1 or an appropriate steering wheel puller.
CAUTION: Ensure the puller bolts are fully engaged
into the steering wheel and not into the clock-
spring, before attempting to remove the wheel. Fail-
ure to do so may damage the steering wheel/
clockspring.
(6) Remove the steering column opening cover
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/STEER-
ING COLUMN OPENING COVER - REMOVAL).
(7) Remove the tilt lever.
(8) Remove the column shrouds (Fig. 2).
(9) Remove the clock spring, (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
REMOVAL).
(10) Disconnect the wiring harness to the column.
Fig. 1 STEERING COLUMN
1 - LOCK CYLINDER
2 - GEAR SHIFT LEVER
3 - MOUNTING HOLES
4 - STEERING COLUMN
5 - TILT LEVER
Fig. 2 UPPER & LOWER SHROUDS
1 - UPPER SHROUD
2 - LOWER SHROUD
DRCOLUMN 19 - 7
COLUMN (Continued)