1999 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual


SU SPEN SIO N - F R O NT - L IN K/C O IL S PR IN G

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1998-99 SUSPENSION
CHRY - Front - Link/Coil Spring
Ram Pickup
DESCRIPTION
Link/coil front suspension uses upper and lower suspension
arms attached to frame and drive axle (4WD) or tube axle (2WD). Shoc\
k
absorbers are mounted inside the coil springs, and attached at top to
a bracket with grommets. These brackets are bolted onto the frame with
3 studs on a ring. The shock is mounted at bottom of axle below the
spring seat. See Fig. 1.
A track bar is used, and is attached to a frame rail bracket
with a ball stud. The track bar is isolated with a bushing at the axle
bracket. Other components of the link/coil spring suspension system
are a stabilizer bar, links, upper and lower suspension arms, bushings
and ball joints.
Fig. 1: Exploded View Of Front Suspension Assembly
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
NOTE: See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL
ALIGNMENT.

WHEEL BEARING & HUB
Wheel bearing and hub assembly is not serviceable, and is
replaced as an assembly only.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
COIL SPRING
Removal & Installation
1) Raise and support vehicle. Position jack under axle for
added support. Scribe alignment marks on lower control arm cam
adjusters and axle bracket for installation reference.
2) Remove upper control arm. See UPPER CONTROL ARM. Loosen
lower control arm bolts. See Fig. 1. On 4WD models, scribe marks on
front drive shaft for installation reference. Disconnect front drive
shaft from axle. On all models, disconnect track bar from frame rail
bracket. See TRACK BAR. Disconnect drag link from pitman arm.
3) Disconnect stabilizer bar link and shock absorber from
axle. Lower axle until spring is free from upper mount. Remove coil
spring. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts
to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
Removal & Installation
1) Raise and support vehicle. Scribe alignment marks on cam
adjusters and suspension arm for installation reference. Remove lower
control arm nut, cam and cam bolt from axle. See Fig. 1.
2) Remove nut and bolt from frame rail bracket. Remove lower
control arm. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and
bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
UPPER CONTROL ARM
Removal & Installation
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove upper control arm nut
and bolt at axle bracket. See Fig. 1. Remove nut and bolt at front
rail and remove upper control arm assembly.
2) To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and
bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
SHOCK ABSORBER
Removal & Installation
1) Remove nut, retainer and grommet from upper stud in engine
compartment. See Fig. 2. Remove 3 nuts from upper shock bracket.
Remove lower bolt from axle bracket. Remove shock absorber from engine
compartment.
2) To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and
bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.

Fig. 2: Removing Front Shock Absorber Assembly
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
STABILIZER BAR

Removal & Installation
Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect stabilizer bar links
from axle brackets. See Fig. 3. Disconnect stabilizer bar from links.
Disconnect stabilizer bar clamps from frame rails. Remove stabilizer
bar. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
Fig. 3: Removing Stabilizer Bar Assembly
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
STEERING KNUCKLE
Removal & Installation
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
Remove tie-rod or drag link end from steering knuckle arm. Remove ABS
sensor wire and bracket from knuckle.
2) Remove cotter pin and nut from upper and lower ball joint
stud. Strike steering knuckle with brass hammer to loosen. Remove
knuckle. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts
to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
TRACK BAR
Removal & Installation

1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove cotter pin and nut from
ball joint stud at end of frame rail bracket. See Fig. 4. Remove ball
stud from bracket with Puller C-4150A.
2) Remove bolt and flag nut from axle bracket. Remove track
bar. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
Fig. 4: Removing Track Bar Assembly
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
WHEEL BEARINGS & HUB ASSEMBLY (5 STUDS)
Removal & Installation
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove caliper
and rotor. Remove ABS sensor (if equipped). Remove cotter pin and axle\
hub nut.
2) Remove wheel bearing and hub assembly hub-to-knuckle
bolts. Remove wheel bearing and hub assembly from steering knuckle and
axle shaft. Remove brake dust shield and spacer. To install, reverse
removal procedure. Tighten retaining nuts and bolts to specification.
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
WHEEL BEARINGS & HUB ASSEMBLY (8 STUDS)
Removal & Installation
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove caliper
and rotor. Remove hub extension mounting nuts and remove extension
rotor (if equipped).

2) Remove brake caliper. Remove cotter pin and axle hub nut.
3) Disconnect ABS speed sensor wire. Remove sensor wire from
frame and steering knuckle (if equipped).
4) Remove wheel bearing and hub assembly hub-to-knuckle
bolts. Remove wheel bearing and hub assembly from steering knuckle and
axle shaft. Remove brake dust shield and spacer.
5) Press out wheel studs/hub extension studs and separate
rotor from hub. Remove wheel speed sensor from hub bearing (if
equipped). To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten retaining
nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS








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Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)\
Anti-Rattle Springs & Clips ................................ 15 (20)\
Axle Nut ................................................. 175 (237)\
Ball Joint Nut
Model 44
Lower .................................................. 80 (108)\
Upper .................................................. 75 (102)\
Model 60
Lower ......................................... 140-160 (190-217)\
Upper ................................................... 70 (95)\
Cam Adjustment Nut ....................................... 170 (230)\
Control Arm
Lower
At Axle Bracket ........................................ 95 (129)\
At Frame Bracket ...................................... 125 (169)\
Upper
At Axle Bracket ........................................ 89 (121)\
At Frame Bracket ....................................... 80 (108)\
Drag Link-To-Pitman Arm .................................... 65 (88)\
Shock Absorber
Bracket Nut .............................................. 55 (75)\
Lower Mounting Bolt .................................... 100 (135)\
Upper Mounting Nuts ...................................... 35 (47)\
Stabilizer Bar
Bar-To-Link .............................................. 50 (68)\
Link-To-Axle Nut (1988 Models) ........................... 27 (37\
)
Link-To-Axle Nut (1999 Models) ........................... 35 (47\
)
Frame Bracket ............................................ 40 (54)\
Steering Knuckle Arm Nut ................................... 55 (75)\
Track Bar
Axle End ............................................... 130 (176)\
Frame End ................................................ 70 (95)\
Wheel Bearing & Hub Assembly-To-Knuckle Bolt ............. 125 (169)\
Wheel Lug Nuts
5 Stud Wheel
1998 Models ............................................ 95 (129)\
1999 Models .................................... 80-110 (108-149)\
8 Stud Wheel
1998 Models ........................................... 135 (183)\
1999 Models ................................... 120-150 (163-203)\
8 Stud Dual Wheel ...................................... 145 (196)\









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* S U SPEN SIO N U NIF O RM IN SPEC TIO N G UID ELIN ES *

1 999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
GENERAL INFORMATION
Steering, Suspension, Wheel Alignment, Wheels and Tires
Motorist Assurance Program
Standards For Automotive Repair
All Makes and Models
INTRODUCTION TO MOTORIST ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAP)
CONTENTS
Motorist Assurance Program (MAP)
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OF SERVICE REQUIREMENTS & SUGGESTIONS
Steering and Suspension
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SHOCKS AND AIR STRUTS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SPRING VALVES
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SPRINGS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - COMPRESSORS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - HEIGHT SENSORS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - MODULES
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - RELAYS (COMPRESSOR)
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - SWITCHES (ON/OFF)
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - TORSION SPRINGS (COUNTER BALANCING)
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - TUBING
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - WARNING LAMPS
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - WIRING HARNESSES
BALL JOINTS
BUSHINGS
CENTER LINKS
CONTROL ARM SHAFTS
CONTROL ARMS
DRAG LINKS
ELECTRONIC RIDE CONTROL SHOCKS AND STRUTS
IDLER ARMS
KING PINS
PITMAN ARMS
POWER STEERING HOSES
POWER STEERING (HYDRAULIC) PUMPS
RADIUS ARMS
RELAY RODS
SHOCK ABSORBERS, STRUT CARTRIDGES AND STRUT ASSEMBLIES
SPINDLES
SPRINGS - COIL, LEAF AND TORSION BAR
STEEL POWER STEERING LINES
STEERING ARMS
STEERING DAMPERS
STEERING GEARS (EXCEPT RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEARS - RACK AND PINION
STEERING KNUCKLES
STRIKE OUT BUMPERS
STRUT RODS
STRUT UPPER BEARING PLATE ASSEMBLIES
SWAY BAR LINKS
SWAY BARS

TIE ROD ENDS (INNER AND OUTER)
TRACK BARS
TRAILING ARMS
WHEEL BEARINGS, RACES AND SEALS
Wheel Alignment
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Wheels and Tires
TIRES
VALVE STEMS
WHEEL ATTACHMENT HARDWARE
WHEELS (RIMS)
MOTORIST ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAP)
OVERVIEW
The Motorist Assurance Program is the consumer outreach
effort of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association, Inc.
(AMRA). Participation in the Motorist Assurance Program is drawn from
retailers, suppliers, independent repair facilities, vehicle
manufacturers and industry associations.
Our organization's mission is to strengthen the relationship
between the consumer and the auto repair industry. We produce
materials that give motorists the information and encouragement to
take greater responsibility for their vehicles-through proper,
manufacturer-recommended, maintenance. We encourage participating
service and repair shops (including franchisees and dealers) to adopt
1) a Pledge of Assurance to their Customers and 2) the Motorist
Assurance Program Standards of Service. All participating service
providers have agreed to subscribe to this Pledge and to adhere to the
promulgated Standards of Service demonstrating to their customers that
they are serious about customer satisfaction.
These Standards of Service require that an inspection of the
vehicle's (problem) system be made and the results communicated to the\
customer according to industry standards. Given that the industry did
not have such standards, the Motorist Assurance Program successfully
promulgated industry inspection communication standards in 1994-95 for
the following systems: Exhaust, Brakes, ABS, Steering and Suspension,
Engine Maintenance and Performance, HVAC, and Electrical Systems.
Further, revisions to all of these inspection communication standards
are continually re-published. In addition to these, standards for
Drive Train and Transmissions have recently been promulgated.
Participating shops utilize these Uniform Inspection & Communication
Standards as part of the inspection process and for communicating
their findings to their customers.
The Motorist Assurance Program continues to work
cooperatively and proactively with government agencies and consumer
groups toward solutions that both benefit the customer and are
mutually acceptable to both regulators and industry. We maintain the
belief that industry must retain control over how we conduct our
business, and we must be viewed as part of the solution and not part
of the problem. Meetings with state and other government officials
(and their representatives), concerned with auto repair and/or
consumer protection, are conducted. Feedback from these sessions is
brought back to the association, and the program adjusted as needed.
To assure auto repair customers recourse if they were not
satisfied with a repair transaction, the Motorist Assurance Program
offers mediation and arbitration through MAP/BBB-CARE and other non-