1998 DODGE RAM 1500 shock absorbers

INSTALLATION
(1) Raise axle with lift and align to the leaf spring
centering bolts.
(2) Install axle U-bolts and tighten to 149 N´m
(110 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install shock absorbers to axle and tighten to
specification.
(4) Install all brake components.
(5) Align propeller shaft and pinion companion
flange reference marks and tighten companion flange
bolts to 115 N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the wheels and tires.
(7) Fill differential to specifications.
(8) Remove lift from axle and lower the vehicle.
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched
sets. Compensation for pinion depth variance is
achieved with a select shim. The shim is located
between the rear pinion bearing and the pinion gear
head.
PINION DEPTH MEASUREMENT AND ADJUSTMENT
Measurements are taken with pinion bearing cups
and pinion bearings installed in the housing. Take
measurements with Pinion Gauge Set and Dial Indi-
cator C-3339 (Fig. 3).
(1) Assemble Pinion Height Block 6739, Pinion
Block 8899 and rear pinion bearing onto Screw 6741
(Fig. 3).
(2) Insert assembled height gauge components,
rear bearing and screw into the housing through pin-
ion bearing cups (Fig. 4).
(3) Install front pinion bearing and Cone-nut 6740
onto the screw. Tighten cone-nut until Torque To
Rotate the screw is 1.7-2.26 N´m (15-20 in. lbs.) (Fig.
3).
(4) Place Arbor Disc 6732 on Arbor D-115-3 in posi-
tion in the housing side bearing cradles (Fig. 5).
(5) Install differential bearing caps on arbor discs
and snug the bearing cap bolts. Then cross tighten
cap bolts to 165 N´m (122 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Arbor should rotate freely in the arbor discs.
(6) Assemble Dial Indicator C-3339 into Scooter
Block D-115-2 and secure set screw.
(7) Position Scooter Block/Dial Indicator flush on
the pinion height block. Hold scooter block and zero
the dial indicator.
(8) Slowly slide the scooter block across the pinion
height block over to the arbor (Fig. 6). Move the
scooter block till dial indicator crests the arbor, then
record the highest reading.
(9) Select a shim equal to the dial indicator read-
ing.(10) Install the select shim between the rear pin-
ion bearing and the pinion gear head.
Fig. 3 PINION GEAR DEPTH GAUGE TOOLS
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - ARBOR
3 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
4 - CONE
5 - SCREW
6 - PINION BLOCK
7 - SCOOTER BLOCK
8 - ARBOR DISC
Fig. 4 PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
1 - PINION BLOCK
2 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
3 - 116 REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Axle Noise 1. Insufficient lubricant. 1. Fill differential with the correct fluid
type and quantity.
2. Improper ring gear and pinion
adjustment.2. Check ring gear and pinion contact
pattern. Adjust backlash or pinion
depth.
3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion. 3. Replace gears with a matched ring
gear and pinion.
4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or
pinion.4. Replace ring gear and pinion.
5. Loose pinion bearings. 5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load.
6. Loose differential bearings. 6. Adjust differential bearing pre-load.
7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear. 7. Measure ring gear run-out. Replace
components as necessary.
8. Loose differential bearing cap
bolts.8. Inspect differential components and
replace as necessary. Ensure that the
bearing caps are torqued tot he
proper specification.
9. Housing not machined properly. 9. Replace housing.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Position a lifting device under axle and secure
lift to the axle.
(3) Remove wheels and tires assemblies.
(4) Remove all brake components.
(5) Mark propeller shaft and companion flange for
installation alignment reference.
(6) Remove propeller shaft.
(7) Remove shock absorbers from axle (Fig. 1).
(8) Remove U-bolts from axle (Fig. 2).(9) Remove axle from the vehicle.
Fig. 1 SHOCK ABSORBER
1 - NUT
2 - AXLE
3 - SHOCK ABSORBER
Fig. 2 REAR SPRING
1 - LEAF SPRING
2 - PLATE
3 - NUTS
4 - FRONT NUT & BOLT
5 - SPRING CLAMP BOLTS
6 - SHACKLES
DRREAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA 3 - 143
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Raise axle with lift and align to the leaf spring
centering bolts.
(2) Install axle U-bolts and tighten to 149 N´m
(110 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install shock absorbers to axle and tighten to
specification.
(4) Install all brake components.
(5) Align propeller shaft and pinion companion
flange reference marks and tighten companion flange
bolts to 115 N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the wheels and tires.
(7) Fill differential to specifications.
(8) Remove lift from axle and lower the vehicle.
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched
sets. Compensation for pinion depth variance is
achieved with a select shim, located between the rear
pinion bearing and pinion gear head.
PINION DEPTH MEASUREMENT AND ADJUSTMENT
Measurements are taken with pinion bearing cups
and pinion bearings installed in the housing. Take
measurements with Pinion Gauge Set and Dial Indi-
cator C-3339 (Fig. 3).(1) Assemble Pinion Height Block 6739, Pinion
Block 8897 and rear pinion bearing onto Screw 6741
(Fig. 3).
(2) Insert assembled height gauge components,
rear bearing and screw into the housing through pin-
ion bearing cups (Fig. 4).
(3) Install front pinion bearing and Cone-nut 6740
onto the screw. Tighten cone-nut until Torque To
Rotate the screw is 1.7-2.26 N´m (15-20 in. lbs.) (Fig.
3).
(4) Place Arbor Discs 8289 on Arbor D-115-3 in
position in the housing side bearing cradles (Fig. 5).
(5) Install differential bearing caps on arbor discs
and snug the bearing cap bolts. Then cross tighten
cap bolts to 281 N´m (207 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Arbor should rotate freely in the arbor discs.
(6) Assemble Dial Indicator C-3339 into Scooter
Block D-115-2 and secure set screw.
(7) Position Scooter Block/Dial Indicator flush on
the pinion height block. Hold scooter block and zero
the dial indicator.
(8) Slowly slide the scooter block across the pinion
height block over to the arbor (Fig. 6). Move the
scooter block till dial indicator crests the arbor, then
record the highest reading.
(9) Select a shim equal to the dial indicator read-
ing.
(10) Install the select shim between the rear pin-
ion bearing and the pinion gear head.
Fig. 3 PINION GEAR DEPTH GAUGE TOOLS
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - ARBOR
3 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
4 - CONE
5 - SCREW
6 - PINION BLOCK
7 - SCOOTER BLOCK
8 - ARBOR DISC
Fig. 4 PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
1 - PINION BLOCK
2 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
3 - 144 REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

STANDARD PROCEDURE - REAR FRAME
H-SECTION REPLACEMENT
CAUTION: This procedure is designed to replace
the H-section/spare tire support located at the rear
of the frame assembly. Prior to any cutting, the
vehicle must be mounted on the appropriate frame
repair equipment (ªframe rackº), checked with three
dimensional measuring equipment, and the neces-
sary pull corrections made. If damage remains in
the frame beyond the area covered by this service
part after the pull, the frame must be replaced in its
entirety.
(1) Before proceding with this repair procedure
review the required service warnings and precau-
tions. (Refer to 13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME -
WARNING)
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(3) Remove the cargo box. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EX-
TERIOR/CARGO BOX - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove the trailer hitch. (Refer to 13 - FRAME
& BUMPERS/FRAME/TRAILER HITCH -
REMOVAL)
(5) Raise and support the frame so the tires are off
floor.(6) Remove the shock absorbers. (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/REAR/SHOCK - REMOVAL)
(7) Remove the rear leaf spring shackle bolts and
let the axle rest on the ground. (Fig. 20)
(8) Remove the spare wheel.
Fig. 19 ENGINE COMPARTMENT/FRONT STRUCTURE
Fig. 20 REAR SPRING
1 - SPRING SHACKLE
2 - LEAF SPRING EYE BOLT/NUT
3 - REAR LEAF SPRING
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 13
FRAME (Continued)