1998 DODGE RAM 1500 grease

CENTER BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Remove rear propeller shaft.
(2) Mark the two shafts (Fig. 16) for installation
reference.(3) Remove slip joint boot clamp and separate the
two shafts.
(4) Use hammer and punch to tap slinger away
from shaft to provide room for bearing splitter.
(5) Position Bearing Splitter Tool 1130 between
slinger and shaft.
CAUTION: Do not damage shaft spline during
removal of center bearing.
(6) Set shaft in press and press bearing off the
shaft.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Two types of center bearings are used and
are not interchangeable. Install the same type as
the vehicle was built with.
(1) Install new slinger on shaft and drive into posi-
tion with appropriate installer tool.
(2) Install new center bearing on shaft with Bear-
ing Installer Tool 6052. Drive on shaft with hammer
until bearing is seated.
(3) Clean shaft splines and apply a coat of multi-
purpose grease.
(4) Align master splines and slide front and rear
half-shafts together. Reposition slip yoke boot and
install new clamp.
(5) Install propeller shaft in vehicle.
ADJUSTMENTS
CENTER BEARING
Launch shudder is a vibration that occurs at first
acceleration from a stop. Shudder vibration usually
peaks at the engines highest torque output. Shudder
is a symptom associated with vehicles using a two-
piece propeller shaft. To decrease shudder, lower the
center bearing in 1/8 inch increments. Use shim
stock or fabricated plates. Plate stock must be used
to maintain compression of the rubber insulator
around the bearing. Do not use washers. Replace the
original bolts with the appropriate increased length
bolts.
Fig. 15 REAR PROPELLER SHAFT - SRT
1 - SLIP YOKE
2 - PROPELLER SHAFT
3 - PINION YOKE
4 - CLAMP
5 - BOLTS
6 - OUTPUT SHAFT
Fig. 16 REFERENCE MARKS
1 - REFERENCE MARK
2 - CENTER BEARING
3 - BOOT CLAMP
4 - DUST BOOT
DRPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 9
REAR PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL
JOINTS
DISASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY - WITH SNAP RINGS
(1) Tap outside of bearing cap with a drift to
loosen snap ring.
(2) Remove snap rings (1) from both sides of yoke
(Fig. 17).
(3) Position yoke with the grease fitting if
equipped, pointing up.
(4) Position a socket with a inside diameter large
enough to receive the bearing cap, beneath the yoke
on a press.
(5) Place another socket with an outside diameter
smaller than bearing cap on the upper bearing cap
and press (1) the lower cap through the yoke (Fig.
18).
NOTE: If the bearing cap will not pull out of the
yoke by hand after pressing, tap the yoke ear near
the bearing cap to dislodge the cap.
(6) Pull bearing cap of the yoke.
(7) Turn yoke over in the press and straighten the
cross (1). Press the cross until the remaining bearing
cap (2) can be removed (Fig. 19).
CAUTION: If cross or bearing cap are not straight
during removal, the bearing cap will score the walls
of the yoke bore and damage can occur.
Fig. 17 SNAP RING
1 - SNAP RING
Fig. 18 PRESS OUT BEARING
1 - PRESS
2 - SOCKET
Fig. 19 PRESS OUT REMAINING BEARING
1 - CROSS
2 - BEARING CAP
3 - 10 PROPELLER SHAFTDR

(11) Position U-joint press (2) with receiver (1) on
flange (Fig. 26).
(12) Press remaining U-joint bearing cap out of
flange.
(13) Remove U-joint from flange.
ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY - WITH SNAP RINGS
(1) Apply (EP) N.L.G.I. Grade 1 or 2 grease to
inside of yoke bores.
Fig. 24 PRESS ON FLANGE
1 - RECEIVER
2 - PRESS
Fig. 25 BEARING OUT OF FLANGE
1 - BEARINGS
2 - FLANGE
Fig. 26 REMAINING BEARING
1 - RECEIVER
2 - PRESS
Fig. 27 CROSS IN YOKE
1 - CROSS
2 - YOKE
3 - 12 PROPELLER SHAFTDR
SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS (Continued)

(2) Position cross (1) in yoke with lube fitting
pointing up, if equipped (Fig. 27).
(3) Place a bearing cap (1) over the cross end (2)
and align cap with yoke bore (Fig. 28).
(4) Press bearing cap into the yoke bore enough to
clear snap ring groove.
(5) Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 to install the oppo-
site bearing cap.
NOTE: If joint is stiff or binding, strike the yoke with
a soft hammer to seat the needle bearings.
(6) Add grease to lube fitting, if equipped.
(7) Install propeller shaft.ASSEMBLY - WITH INJECTED RINGS
NOTE: Replacement joint has internal snap rings.
(1) Place joint in flange with one bearing cap.
(2) Position press (3) with receiver (1) on flange
and bearing cap (2) (Fig. 29).
Fig. 28 BEARING AND CROSS
1 - BEARING CAP
2 - CROSSFig. 29 PRESS ON FLANGE
1 - RECEIVER
2 - BEARING
3 - PRESS
Fig. 30 SNAP RING GROOVE
1 - YOKE
2 - GROOVE
DRPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 13
SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS (Continued)

DOUBLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL
JOINTS
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove propeller shaft.
(2) Mark propeller shaft, link yoke and flange yoke
for assembly reference.
(3) Tap outside of the bearing cap assembly with
drift to loosen snap rings.
(4) Remove all bearing cap snap rings (Fig. 39).
(5) Remove grease fittings if equipped.
(6) Position a socket on the press with an inside
diameter large enough to receive the bearing cap
under the link yoke.
(7) Place another socket with an outside diameter
smaller than the bearing cap on the upper bearing
cap.(8) Press one bearing cap from outboard side of the
link yoke, enough to grasp the cap with vise jaws
(Fig. 40).
(9) Grasp protruding bearing cap with vise jaws
and tap link yoke with a mallet to remove bearing
cap (Fig. 41).
Fig. 39 SNAP RINGS
Fig. 40 PRESS OUT BEARING
Fig. 41 REMOVE BEARING FROM YOKE
3 - 16 PROPELLER SHAFTDR

(10) Flip assembly and repeat Step 6, Step 7, Step
8 and Step 9 to remove the opposite bearing cap.
(11) Remove cross centering kit assembly and
spring (Fig. 42).
(12) Press remaining bearing caps out the other
end of the link yoke.
ASSEMBLY
CAUTION: All alignment marks on the link yoke and
propeller shaft yoke must be aligned during assem-
bled.
(1) Apply (EP) N.L.G.I. Grade 1 or 2 grease to
inside of yoke bores.
(2) Fit cross into the propeller shaft yoke (Fig. 43).(3) Place bearing cap over the trunnion and align
cap with the yoke bore (Fig. 44). Keep needle bear-
ings upright in the bearing cap.
(4) Press bearing cap into yoke bore enough to
clear snap ring groove and install snap-ring (Fig. 45).
Fig. 42 REMOVE CENTERING KIT
Fig. 43 INSTALL CROSS IN YOKE
Fig. 44 INSTALL BEARING CAP
Fig. 45 PRESS IN BEARING CAP
DRPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 17
DOUBLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS (Continued)

HALF SHAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HALF SHAFT
CAUTION.............................20
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................20
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................21
SPECIFICATIONS.......................21
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................21CV JOINT-OUTER
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................23
CV JOINT-INNER
REMOVAL.............................25
INSTALLATION.........................25
HALF SHAFT
CAUTION
CAUTION:: Never grasp half shaft assembly by the
boots. This may cause the boot to pucker or crease
and reduce the service life of the boot.
Avoid over angulating or stroking the C/V joints
when handling the half shaft.
Half shafts exposed to battery acid, transmission
fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid or gasoline may
cause the boots to deteriorate. Failure to heed cau-
tion may result in damage.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
Check inboard and outboard C/V joint for leaking
grease. This is a sign of boot or boot clamp damage.
NOISE/VIBRATION IN TURNS
A clicking noise or vibration in turns could be
caused by a damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint
seal boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the
loss/contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint. Noise could also
be caused by another component of the vehicle com-
ing in contact with the half shafts.
CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION
This noise may be a damaged or worn C/V joint. A
torn boot or loose/missing clamp on the inner/outer
joint which has allowed the grease to be lost will
damage the C/V joint.
SHUDDER/VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION
This could be a worn/damaged inner tripod joint or
a sticking tripod joint. Improper wheel alignment
may also cause a shudder or vibration.
VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
This problem could be a result of out of balance
front tires or tire/wheel runout. Foreign material
(mud, etc.) packed on the backside of the wheel(s)
will also cause a vibration.
REMOVAL
(1) With vehicle in neutral, position vehicle on
hoist.
(2) Remove half shaft hub nut.
(3) Remove brake caliper and rotor.
(4) Position hydraulic jack under lower suspension
arm and raise jack to unload rebound bumper.
(5) Remove lower shock absorber bolt.
(6) Remove upper ball joint nut and seperate ball
with Remover 8677 (Fig. 1).
(7) Disengage inner C/V joint from axle shaft with
two pry bars between the C/V housing and axle hous-
ing.
Fig. 1 UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
2 - REMOVER
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - 20 HALF SHAFTDR

(8) Tilt knuckle out and push half shaft out of the
knuckle (Fig. 2).
(9) Remove half shaft from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean hub bearing bore, hub bearing mating
surface and half shaft splines.
(2) Apply a light coating of grease to the front axle
shaft output splines.
(3) Install half shaft into the knuckle (Fig. 3).(4) Install half shaft on axle shaft. Push firmly to
engage axle shaft snap ring into the inner C/V hous-
ing.
(5) Install upper ball joint into the knuckle.
(6) Install upper ball joint nut and tighten to spec-
ification.
(7) Install lower shock absorber bolt and tighten to
specification.
(8) Install brake rotor and caliper.
(9) Install half shaft hub nut and tighten to 251
N´m (185 ft. lbs.).
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Half Shaft Nut 251 185 -
SPECIAL TOOLS
Fig. 2 STEERING KNUCKLE
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - SHOCK
3 - HALFSHAFT
4 - DISC BRAKE CALIPER
5 - HUB/BEARING
Fig. 3 HALF SHAFT AND HUB/BEARING
1 - HUB/BEARING MOUNTING NUTS
2 - HALF SHAFT
CLAMP INSTALLER C-4975A
DRHALF SHAFT 3 - 21
HALF SHAFT (Continued)