1999 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual


WHEEL A LIG NM EN T T H EO RY/O PER ATIO N

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
GENERAL INFORMATION
Wheel Alignment Theory & Operation
ALL MODELS
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
NOTE: This article is intended for general information purposes
only. This information may not apply to all makes and models.
PRE-ALIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL ALIGNMENT CHECKS
Before adjusting wheel alignment, check the following:
* Each axle uses tires of same construction and tread style,
equal in tread wear and overall diameter. Verify that radial
and axial runout is not excessive. Inflation should be at
manufacturer's specifications.
* Steering linkage and suspension must not have excessive play.
Check for wear in tie rod ends and ball joints. Springs must
not be sagging. Control arm and strut rod bushings must not
have excessive play. See Fig. 1.
Fig. 1: Checking Steering Linkage
* Vehicle must be on level floor with full fuel tank, no
passenger load, spare tire in place and no load in trunk.
Bounce front and rear end of vehicle several times. Confirm

vehicle is at normal riding height.
* Steering wheel must be centered with wheels in straight ahead
position. If required, shorten one tie rod adjusting sleeve
and lengthen opposite sleeve (equal amount of turns). See
Fig. 2.
* Wheel bearings should have the correct preload and lug nuts
must be tightened to manufacturer's specifications. Adjust
camber, caster and toe-in using this sequence. Follow
instructions of the alignment equipment manufacturer.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to correct alignment by straightening parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced.
Fig. 2: Adjusting Tie Rod Sleeves (Top View)
CAMBER
1) Camber is the tilting of the wheel, outward at either top
or bottom, as viewed from front of vehicle. See Fig. 3.
2) When wheels tilts outward at the top (from centerline of
vehicle), camber is positive. When wheels tilt inward at top, camber
is negative. Amount of tilt is measured in degrees from vertical.

Fig. 3: Determining Camber Angle
CASTER
1) Caster is tilting of front steering axis either forward or
backward from vertical, as viewed from side of vehicle. See Fig. 4.
2) When axis is tilted backward from vertical, caster is
positive. This creates a trailing action on front wheels. When axis is
tilted forward, caster is negative, causing a leading action on front
wheels.
Fig. 4: Determining Caster Angle
TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT
Toe-in is the width measured at the rear of the tires

subtracted by the width measured at the front of the tires at about
spindle height. A positive figure would indicate toe-in and a negative
figure would indicate toe-out. If the distance between the front and
rear of the tires is the same, toe measurement would be zero. To
adjust:
1) Measure toe-in with front wheels in straight ahead
position and steering wheel centered. To adjust toe-in, loosen clamps
and turn adjusting sleeve or adjustable end on right and left tie
rods. See Figs. 2 and 5.
2) Turn equally and in opposite directions to maintain
steering wheel in centered position. Face of tie rod end must be
parallel with machined surface of steering rod end to prevent binding.
3) When tightening clamps, make certain that clamp bolts are
positioned so there will be no interference with other parts
throughout the entire travel of linkage.
Fig. 5: Wheel Toe-In (Dimension A Less Dimension B)
TOE-OUT ON TURNS
1) Toe-out on turns (turning radius) is a check for bent or
damaged parts, and not a service adjustment. With caster, camber, and
toe-in properly adjusted, check toe-out with weight of vehicle on
wheels.
2) Use a full floating turntable under each wheel, repeating
test with each wheel positioned for right and left turns. Incorrect
toe-out generally indicates a bent steering arm. Replace arm, if
necessary, and recheck wheel alignment.

STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
1) Steering axis inclination is a check for bent or damaged
parts, and not a service adjustment. Vehicle must be level and camber
should be properly adjusted. See Fig. 6.
2) If camber cannot be brought within limits and steering
axis inclination is correct, steering knuckle is bent. If camber and
steering axis inclination are both incorrect by approximately the same
amount, the upper and lower control arms are bent.
Fig. 6: Checking Steering Axis Inclination


WIN DO W S - P O W ER

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1999 ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT
CHRY - Power Windows
Caravan, Dakota, Durango, Ram Pickup, Ram Van, Ram Wagon,
Town & Country, & Voyager
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
A permanent magnet motor moves each of the power windows,
including power vent windows. A positive and negative battery
connection to either of the 2 motor terminals will cause the motor to
rotate in one direction. Reversing current through these same 2
connections will cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction.
Each individual motor is grounded through the master switch by a wire
attached to the instrument panel reinforcement.
Caravan, Durango, Town & Country and Voyager are equipped
with an Auto Down feature. Drivers window can be lowered without
having to hold the switch in the down position. Auto Down feature can
be activated by pressing down switch past first detent. Caravan, Town
& Country and Voyager have optional power vent windows. Power rear
vent windows are operated by switches mounted in driver's door panel.
NOTE: Power window circuits on Caravan, Town & Country, and Voyager
use Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) devices. The PTC
is a specified amperage solid-state resettable fuse. PTCs are
located in junction box behind driver's side of instrument
panel, to left of steering column. To reset PTC, all current
must be removed from PTC for approximately 20 seconds.
ADJUSTMENTS
WINDOWS
Remove door trim panel. See DOOR TRIM PANEL under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. Loosen bolts holding window to regulator. Raise window
fully, seating window in frame. Tighten bolts. Install door trim
panel.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
CARAVAN, TOWN & COUNTRY, & VOYAGER
Inspect both No. 8 and 9 (9-amp) PTCs in junction block.
Junction block is located under left side of instrument panel.
* Inspect fuse No. 23 (40-amp) in Power Distribution Center
(PDC). PDC is located on left side of engine compartment.
* Inspect ground at instrument panel left side cowl.
DAKOTA & DURANGO
Inspect circuit breaker No. 20 (20-amp on Dakota, 25-amp on
Durango) in fuse block. Fuse block is located on left end of
instrument panel.
* Inspect fuse No. 9 (40-amp) in Power Distribution Center
(PDC). PDC is located in left front corner of engine

compartment.
* Inspect power window system ground circuit. See WIRING
DIAGRAMS.
RAM PICKUP
Inspect fuse No. 2 (30-amp) located in Power Distribution
Center (PDC). PDC is located in left side of engine compartment.
* Inspect circuit breaker No. 1 (20-amp) in fuse block. Fuse
block is located under left side of instrument panel.
* Inspect power window system ground circuit. See WIRING
DIAGRAMS.
RAM VAN & RAM WAGON
Inspect circuit breaker No. 20 (20-amp) in junction block.
Junction block is located in left end of instrument panel.
* Inspect fuse No. 12 (40-amp) in Power Distribution Center
(PDC). PDC is located in left side of engine compartment.
* Inspect power window system ground circuit. See WIRING
DIAGRAMS.
COMPONENT TESTS
CIRCUIT BREAKER
Dakota, Durango, Ram Pickup, Ram Van & Ram Wagon
1) Locate circuit breaker for power window system. See
TROUBLE SHOOTING. Pull circuit breaker out slightly, but ensure
circuit breaker terminals still contact terminals in fuse block.
2) Connect voltmeter negative lead to ground. Using voltmeter
positive lead, check both terminals of circuit breaker for battery
voltage. If voltmeter indicates battery voltage at both terminals,
circuit breaker is okay.
3) If voltmeter indicates battery voltage at one terminal
only, replace faulty circuit breaker. If voltmeter indicates no
voltage at either terminal, check for an open or shorted circuit to
circuit breaker. Repair as necessary and recheck system operation.
VENT WINDOW MOTOR
Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager
1) Remove "D" pillar trim panel. See "D" PILLAR TRIM PANEL
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect vent window motor connector.
Using jumper wires, apply battery voltage to vent window motor
terminals. Motor should rotate in one direction, moving window open or
closed. If window is in full closed or open position, no movement will
be observed and motor will make a grunting noise.
2) Reverse battery leads. Window should move in opposite
direction. If window does not move or window does not make a grunting
noise, replace vent window motor. If window moved completely open and
closed, motor should be reversed one more time to complete a full
window movement inspection.
3) If motor grunts and window does not move, remove motor
assembly. Check window motor crank for binding. Repair as necessary.
Recheck window operation. If window moves, check power window switch
continuity. See POWER WINDOW SWITCH. Replace switch as necessary. If
window switch is okay, check for open circuit between window motor and
window switch. See WIRING DIAGRAMS. Repair as necessary.

POWER WINDOW MOTOR
NOTE: On Dakota, window motor and regulator are serviced as an
assembly.
1) Remove door trim panel. See DOOR TRIM PANEL under REMOVAL
& INSTALLATION. Disconnect window motor connector. Using jumper wires,
apply battery voltage to window motor terminals. Motor should operate,
unless window is already at maximum travel.
2) Reverse jumper wires. Window should move in opposite
direction. If window does not move in either direction, replace window
motor.
3) If motor operates in one direction only, replace motor.
See POWER WINDOW MOTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If motor grunts
and does not move, disconnect window glass from regulator plate. Check
window glass, tracks and regulator for sticking, binding or improper
adjustment. Repair as necessary and recheck system operation.
POWER WINDOW SWITCH
1) Remove window switch from door trim panel. See POWER
WINDOW SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Using an ohmmeter, check
switch continuity. See appropriate WINDOW SWITCH CONTINUITY table.
Replace power window switch as necessary. See appropriate
illustration. See Figs. 1 - 6.
2) Vehicles equipped with Auto Down feature have electronic
components in switch to actuate Auto Down. To test, check switch
continuity, reconnect switch, turn ignition on and test feature. If
Auto Down does not work, replace switch.
Fig. 1: Identifying Driver's Window Switch Terminals (Caravan,
Durango, Town & Country, & Voyager)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Fig. 2: Identifying Passenger's Window Switch & Vent Switch
Terminals (Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager)