1999 DODGE RAM steering

operation involving steering column components. See
appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article. DO NOT apply
electrical power to any component on steering column without
first deactivating air bag system. Air bag may deploy.
CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory
systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist
until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION
before disconnecting battery.
HORN SWITCH
NOTE: Horn switch removal and installation information for Dakota
and Durango is not provided by manufacturer.
Removal & Installation
Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove 4 air bag nuts from
back of steering wheel. Pull air bag module back far enough to
disconnect wiring connectors. Remove air bag module. To install,
reverse removal procedure. Tighten air bag nuts to 90-97 INCH lbs. (9-
11 N.m).
IGNITION SWITCH
CAUTION: DO NOT bump, jolt or hammer on steering shaft and gearshift
tube.
Removal
Remove lock cylinder. See LOCK CYLINDER. Remove 3 tamper-
proof Torx screws. See Fig. 5. Gently pull switch away from column.
Release connector locks on wiring connectors and remove switch from
connectors.
Fig. 5: Removing Ignition Switch Mounting Screws
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Installation
1) Rotate flag on ignition switch to RUN position. This

allows lock cylinder to mesh with switch. With key in lock cylinder,
turn lock cylinder to RUN position so retaining pin can be depressed.
Install lock cylinder in ignition switch (aligning slot) until
retaining pin engages. Turn key to OFF or LOCK position.
2) Pull on lock cylinder to ensure retaining pin is retained
in ignition switch and cylinder will not come out. On vehicles with
automatic transmission, ensure shifter is in Park and dowel pin on
ignition switch is in Park position. Ensure ignition switch is in LOCK
position. On all models, ensure flag on ignition switch is properly
indexed in Park position. The flag operates steering lock.
3) On vehicles with automatic transmission, apply a light
coating of grease to park lock dowel and park lock slider linkage. See
Fig. 6. Slide park lock slider linkage forward completely, then back .
25" (6 mm). Apply a light coating of grease to column lock flag.
4) Carefully install ignition switch on steering column,
ensuring flag is positioned above steering wheel lock lever, dowel
pins on switch align in holes on steering column and park lock dowel
pin slides into park lock slider linkage (automatic transmission
only). See Fig. 7. Tighten mounting screws to 22-30 INCH lbs. (2.5-3.5
N.m).
5) Connect wiring connectors to ignition switch. Install
upper and lower steering column covers. Tighten screws to 17 INCH lbs.
(2 N.m). Install tilt lever (if equipped). Reconnect negative batter\
y
cable. Check for proper operation of ignition switch in all positions.
Check for proper steering wheel lock operation. Check for proper
automatic shift lock operation.
Fig. 6: Positioning Park Lock Slider Linkage
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.

Fig. 7: Positioning Column Lock Flag
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
LOCK CYLINDER
Removal
Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. On tilt
columns, remove tilt lever. Remove upper and lower steering column
covers. Place shifter in Park (if vehicle has automatic transmission).\
With key inserted and ignition switch in RUN position, press on
retaining pin. See Fig. 8. Remove lock cylinder.
Installation
1) With key in lock cylinder, turn lock cylinder to RUN
position so retaining pin can be depressed. Install lock cylinder in
ignition switch (aligning slot) until retaining pin engages. Turn key
to OFF or LOCK position. Pull on lock cylinder to ensure retaining pin
is retained in ignition switch and cylinder will not come out.
2) Install upper and lower steering column covers. Tighten
screws to 17 INCH lbs. (2 N.m). Install tilt lever (if equipped).
Connect negative battery cable. Check for proper operation of ignition
switch in all positions. Check for proper steering wheel lock
operation. Check for proper automatic shift lock operation.

Fig. 8: Removing Lock Cylinder
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH
Removal & Installation
Disconnect negative battery cable. On tilt columns, remove
tilt lever. On all models, remove upper and lower steering column
covers. Remove tamper-proof Torx screws. Pull switch away from column,
and loosen connector screw (screw remains in connector). Remove
switch. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten screws to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS








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Application INCH Lbs. (N.m)\
Air Bag Retaining Nuts ................................ 90-97 (9-11)\
Ignition Switch Mounting Screw ..................... 22-30 (2.5-3.5)\
Multifunction Switch Connector Screw ........................ 17 (2)\
Multifunction Switch Mounting Screw ......................... 17 (2)\
Steering Column Cover Screw ................................. 17 (2)\









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WIRING DIAGRAMS
Fig. 9: Horn System Wiring Diagram (Dakota)


STE ER IN G K NUCKLE S - 4 W D

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1998-99 DRIVE AXLES
CHRY - 4WD Steering Knuckles
Ram Pickup
DESCRIPTION
Open type steering knuckles are used on all models. Open type
knuckles provide sharper turning angle, decreasing turning radius.
Axle shafts are free floating. Steering knuckles are attached to axle
housing by ball joints.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
REMOVAL
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Remove brake
caliper, and support aside. DO NOT allow caliper to hang by brake
hose. On one ton models, remove adapter hub bolts and hub from rotor
and hub assembly. On all models, remove cotter pin from rotor and hub
nut.
2) Remove rotor and hub nut. Remove bolts securing rotor and
hub assembly to steering knuckle. Bolts are accessible from inboard
side of steering knuckle. Remove rotor and hub assembly. Remove hub
spacer from steering knuckle. Note spacer position for installation
reference.
3) Disconnect tie rod end and drag link studs. Remove anti-
lock brake sensor from steering knuckle. Remove ball joint cotter pins
and nuts. Discard lower nut. Using a soft-face hammer, tap steering
knuckle to free it from ball joints.
4) Clean all components with solvent, and dry with compressed
air. Inspect all parts for burrs, chips, wear, flat spots or cracks.
Replace all damaged or worn parts.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: When aligning upper ball joint nut to install cotter pin,
always tighten nut to align holes. Never loosen nut to align
holes.
1) Position steering knuckle on ball joints, and install NEW
lower ball joint nut. Tighten nut to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS. Install upper ball joint nut, and tighten to
specification. Tighten, DO NOT loosen, nut to install NEW cotter pin.
2) Install hub bearing and axle shaft. Connect drag link stud
to steering knuckle arm. Install retaining nut, and tighten to
specification. Install NEW cotter pin. Connect tie rod end stud to
steering knuckle arm. Install retaining nut and tighten to
specification. Install NEW cotter pin. Install anti-lock brake sensor
to steering knuckle.
3) Apply anti-seize compound to splines of front drive axle.
Inspect hub grease seal and wheel bearing. Replace as necessary. From
rear of steering knuckle, install 2 rearward rotor and hub assembly
bolts in steering knuckle.
4) Apply chassis grease to hub spacer to secure on steering
knuckle. Position spacer on rotor and hub assembly bolts. Ensure
spacer is installed with flat edge toward rear of vehicle. Apply
Loctite to rotor and hub assembly bolt threads. Install rotor and hub

assembly to steering knuckle. Finger tighten bolts. Install 2
remaining rotor and hub assembly bolts. Tighten all bolts to
specification.
5) Install rotor and hub nut. Tighten nut to specification.
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Install cotter pin. On one ton models,
install adapter hub bolts and hub to rotor and hub assembly. Install
brake caliper, and tighten bolts to specification. Install wheels, and
tighten lug nuts to specification.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS








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Application (1) Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
ABS Sensor Bolt ............................................ 15 (11)\
Brake Caliper Bolt ......................................... 38 (52)\
Drag Link Nut .............................................. 65 (88)\
Hub-To-Steering Knuckle Bolt ..................... 125-160 (170-217)\
Lower Ball Joint Nut
216 FBI ................................................. 80 (108)\
248 FBI ........................................ 140-160 (190-217)\
Rotor & Hub Nut .................................. 160-200 (217-271)\
Shock Absorber Lower Bolt ................................ 100 (136)\
Stabilizer Bar Bolt ........................................ 27 (37)\
Tie Rod-To-Steering Knuckle Nut ............................ 65 (88)\
Upper Ball Joint Nut
216 FBI ................................................. 75 (102)\
248 FBI .................................................. 70 (94)\
Wheel Lug Nuts .................................... 95-145 (130-195)\
( 1) - Front axles can be identified by differential cover. The 216 FBI
has rounded edges, the 248 FBI has flat angled edges.









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STE ER IN G S YSTE M - P O W ER R EC IR CULA TIN G B ALL

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1998-99 STEERING
CHRY - Power Recirculating Ball - RWD Trucks
Dakota 4WD, Ram Pickup, Ram Van/Wagon
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
The recirculating ball power steering system consists of
steering gear, steering linkage, pressure and return fluid hoses and
fittings, and a hydraulic steering pump with fluid reservoir.
The steering gear is a power assisted recirculating-ball type
that acts as a rolling thread between worm shaft and rack piston. See
Fig. 1 . When worm shaft is turned, the rack piston moves and piston
teeth mesh with sector shaft teeth, turning pitman arm, which turns
steering linkage.
The steering linkage consists of pitman arm, idler arm(s),
tie rods, center link and drag link (if equipped).
The power steering pump is a constant flow rate and
displacement, vane-type pump. Pump is connected to steering gear by
pressure and return hoses. On gasoline models, pump shaft has pressed
on belt-driven pulley.
On diesel models, power steering pump is bolted onto rear of
vacuum pump and is driven by a common shaft.
Fig. 1: Exploded View Of Saginaw Rotary Valve Power Steering Gear
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
TESTING