2001 DODGE RAM power steering

SPECIFICATIONS
POWER STEERING GEAR
SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Steering Gear
TypeRecirculating Ball
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Gear Code & Ratio
AM17.5:1
Gear Code & Ratio
HC/FW14:1
Gear Code & Ratio
JZ16-13:1
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Wormshaft Bearing
Preload0.85-1.64 Ð 7.5-14.5
Pitman Shaft Overcenter Drag
New Gear (under 400 miles)0.23-0.68 Ð 2-6
+ Wormshaft Preload
TORQUE CHART
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Steering Gear Mounting
Frame Bolts176 130 Ð
Line Fittings
Pressure31 23 Ð
Line Fittings
Return31 23 Ð
Steering Gear
Adjustment Cap Locknut108 80 Ð
Steering Gear
Adjustment Screw Locknut49 36 Ð
Steering Gear
Pitman Shaft Nut251 185 Ð
Steering Gear
Rack Piston Plug150 111 Ð
Steering Gear
Side Cover Bolts60 44 Ð
Steering Gear
Return Guide Clamp Bolt4.8 Ð 43
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 19

SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR
PITMAN BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Clean exposed end of pitman shaft and housing
with a wire brush.
(2) Remove preload adjuster nut (Fig. 11).
(3) Rotate the stub shaft with a 12 point socket
from stop to stop and count the number of turns.
(4) Center the stub shaft by rotating it from the
stop 1/2 of the total amount of turns.
(5) Remove side cover bolts and remove side cover,
gasket and pitman shaft as an assembly (Fig. 11).
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(6) Remove pitman shaft from the side cover.
(7) Remove dust seal from the housing with a seal
pick (Fig. 12).
CAUTION: Use care not to score the housing bore
when prying out seals and washer.
(8) Remove retaining ring with snap ring pliers.
(9) Remove washer from the housing.
Remover/Installer, Steering Plug C-4381
Remover, Pitman Arm C-4150A
Remover/Installer Steering Rack Piston C-4175
Fig. 11 Side Cover and Pitman Shaft
1 - SIDE COVER BOLTS
2 - PRELOAD ADJUSTER NUT
3 - SIDE COVER
4 - GASKET SEAL
5 - PITMAN SHAFT GEAR
6 - HOUSING ASSEMBLY
Fig. 12 Pitman Shaft Seals & Bearing
1 - BEARING
2 - WASHER
3 - DUST SEAL
4 - RETAINER
5 - OIL SEAL
19 - 20 GEARBR/BE

(8) Remove the O-ring between the worm shaft
and the stub shaft.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Clean and dry all components, then lubricate
with power steering fluid.(1) Install spool valve spool O-ring.
(2) Install spool valve in valve body by pushing
and rotating. Hole in spool valve for stub shaft pin
must be accessible from opposite end of valve body.
(3) Install stub shaft in valve spool and engage
locating pin on stub shaft into spool valve hole (Fig.
30).
NOTE: Notch in stub shaft cap must fully engage
valve body pin and seat against valve body shoul-
der.
(4) Install O-rings and teflon rings over the
O-rings on valve body.
(5) Install O-ring into the back of the stub shaft
cap (Fig. 31).
(6) Install stub shaft and valve assembly in the
housing. Line up worm shaft to slots in the valve
assembly.
(7) Install thrust support assembly.
NOTE: The thrust support is serviced as an assem-
bly. If any component of the thrust support is dam-
aged the assembly must be replaced.
(8) Install adjuster nut and lock nut.
(9) Adjust Thrust Bearing Preload and Over-Cen-
ter Rotating Torque, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR
- ADJUSTMENTS).
Fig. 28 Spool Valve
1 - SPOOL VALVE
2 - ROTATE VALVE TO REMOVE
3 - VALVE BODY
Fig. 29 Valve Seals
1 - O-RING SEALS
Fig. 30 Stub Shaft Installation
1 - NOTCH IN CAP
2 - VALVE BODY PIN
19 - 26 GEARBR/BE
SPOOL VALVE (Continued)

STEERING GEAR HOUSING
PLUG
REMOVAL
(1) Unseat and remove retaining ring from groove
with a punch through the hole in the end of the
housing (Fig. 32).
(2) Slowly rotate stub shaft with 12 point socket
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE to force the end plug out
from housing.
CAUTION: Do not turn stub shaft any further than
necessary. The rack piston balls will drop out of the
rack piston circuit if the stub shaft is turned too far.
(3) Remove O-ring from the housing (Fig. 33).
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate O-ring with power steering fluid and
install into the housing.
(2) Install end plug by tapping the plug lightly
with a plastic mallet into the housing.
(3) Install retaining ring so one end of the ring
covers the housing access hole (Fig. 34).
WORM SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove housing end plug, (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/GEAR/STEERING GEAR HOUSING
PLUG - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove rack piston plug (Fig. 35).
(3) Remove side cover and pitman shaft.
(4) Turn stub shaft COUNTERCLOCKWISE until
the rack piston begins to come out of the housing.
(5) Insert Arbor C-4175 into bore of rack piston
(Fig. 36) and hold tool tightly against worm shaft.
(6) Turn the stub shaft with a 12 point socket
COUNTERCLOCKWISE, this will force the rack pis-
Fig. 31 Stub Shaft Cap O-Ring
1 - VALVE BODY
2 - STUB SHAFT CAP
3 - O-RING
Fig. 32 End Plug Retaining Ring
1 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 33 End Plug Components
1 - HOUSING ASSEMBLY
2 - HOUSING END PLUG O-RING SEAL
3 - HOUSING END PLUG
4 - RETAINING RING
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 27
SPOOL VALVE (Continued)

INSTALLATION
NOTE: Clean and dry all components and lubricate
with power steering fluid.(1) Check for scores, nicks or burrs on the rack
piston finished surface. Slight wear is normal on the
worm gear surfaces.
(2) Install O-ring and teflon ring on the rack pis-
ton.
(3) Install worm shaft in the rack piston and align
worm shaft spiral groove with rack piston ball guide
hole (Fig. 40).
CAUTION: The rack piston balls must be installed
alternately into the rack piston and ball guide. This
maintains worm shaft preload. There are 12 black
balls and 12 silver (Chrome) balls. The black balls
are smaller than the silver balls.
(4) Lubricate and install rack piston balls through
return guide hole while turning worm shaft COUN-
TERCLOCKWISE (Fig. 40).
(5) Install remaining balls in guide using grease to
hold the balls in place (Fig. 41).
(6) Install the guide onto rack piston and install
clamp and clamp bolts. Tighten bolts to 4.8 N´m (43
in. lbs.).
(7) Insert Arbor C-4175 into bore of rack piston
and hold tool tightly against worm shaft.
(8) Turn the worm shaft COUNTERCLOCKWISE
while pushing on the arbor. This will force the rack
piston onto the arbor and hold the rack piston balls
in place.
(9) Install the races and thrust bearing on the
worm shaft and install shaft in the housing (Fig. 39).
(10) Install the stub shaft with spool valve, thrust
support assembly and adjuster nut in the housing.
Fig. 38 Rack Piston Teflon Ring and O-Ring
1 - TEFLON SEAL
2 - BACK-UP O-RING MUST BE INSTALLED UNDER PISTON
RING
3 - RACK PISTON NUT
Fig. 39 Worm Shaft
1 - GEAR HOUSING
2 - BEARING RACE
3 - WORM SHAFT
4 - BEARING
Fig. 40 Installing Balls in Rack Piston
1 - INSTALL BALLS IN THIS HOLE WHILE SLOWLY ROTATING
WORM COUNTER CLOCKWISE
2 - WORM FLANGE
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 29
WORM SHAFT (Continued)

PUMP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PUMP
DESCRIPTION...........................31
OPERATION.............................31
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................31
PUMP LEAKAGE.......................31
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................31
POWER STEERING PUMP - INITIAL
OPERATION...........................31
FLUSHING POWER STEERING SYSTEM.....32
REMOVAL..............................33
INSTALLATION...........................35SPECIAL TOOLS.........................36
PULLEY
REMOVAL..............................36
INSTALLATION...........................36
HOSES - PRESSURE
DESCRIPTION...........................37
OPERATION.............................37
HOSES - RETURN
DESCRIPTION...........................37
OPERATION.............................37
PUMP
DESCRIPTION
The P-Series pump is used on these vehicles (Fig.
1). The pump shaft has a pressed-on pulley that is
belt driven by the crankshaft pulley on gasoline
engines. The pump is driven off the back of the vac-
uum pump on the diesel engine.
Trailer tow option vehicles are equipped with a
power steering pump oil cooler. The oil cooler is
mounted to the front crossmember.
NOTE: Power steering pumps are not interchange-
able with pumps installed on other vehicles.
OPERATION
Hydraulic pressure is provided by the pump for the
power steering gear. The power steering pump is a
constant flow rate and displacement, vane-type
pump. The pump is connected to the steering gear
via the pressure hose and the return hose. On vehi-
cles equipped with a hydraulic booster, the pump
supplies the hydraulic pressure for the booster.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PUMP LEAKAGE
(1) Possible pump leakage areas. (Fig. 2).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - POWER STEERING
PUMP - INITIAL OPERATION
WARNING: THE FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE
CHECKED WITH ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT INJURY
FROM MOVING COMPONENTS.
CAUTION: Use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid or
equivalent. Do not use automatic transmission fluid
and do not overfill.
Wipe filler cap clean, then check the fluid level.
The dipstick should indicateCOLDwhen the fluid is
at normal temperature.
(1) Turn steering wheel all the way to the left
(2) Fill the pump fluid reservoir to the proper level
and let the fluid settle for at least two (2) minutes.
(3) Raise the front wheels off the ground.
(4) Slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock 20
times with the engine off while checking the fluid
level.
Fig. 1 P-SeriesÐPump
1 - RESERVOIR CAP AND DIPSTICK
2 - RESERVOIR
BR/BEPUMP 19 - 31

NOTE: Vehicles with long return lines or oil coolers
turn wheel 40 times.
(5) Start the engine. With the engine idling main-
tain the fluid level.
(6) Lower the front wheels and let the engine idle
for two minutes.
(7) Turn the steering wheel in both direction and
verify power assist and quit operation of the pump.
If the fluid is extremely foamy or milky looking,
allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat
the procedure.
CAUTION: Do not run a vehicle with foamy fluid for
an extended period. This may cause pump damage.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - FLUSHING POWER
STEERING SYSTEM
Flushing is required when the power steering/hy-
draulic booster system fluid has become contami-
nated. Contaminated fluid in the steering/booster
system can cause seal deterioration and affect steer-
ing gear/booster spool valve operation.(1) Raise the front end of the vehicle off the
ground until the wheels are free to turn.
(2) Remove the return line from the pump.
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic
booster remove both return lines from the pump.
(3) Plug the return line port/ports at the pump.
(4) Position the return line/lines into a large con-
tainer to catch the fluid.
(5) While an assistant is filling the pump reservoir
start the engine.
(6) With the engine running at idle turn the wheel
back and forth.
NOTE: Do not contact or hold the wheel against the
steering stops.
(7) Run a quart of fluid through the system then
stop the engine and install the return line/lines.
Fig. 2 Power Steering Pump
1 - CHECK OIL LEVEL; IF LEAKAGE PERSISTS WITH THE
CORRECT LEVEL AND CAP TIGHT, REPLACE THE CAP
2 - SHAFT SEAL3 - RESERVOIR O-RING
4 - O-RING SEAL
19 - 32 PUMPBR/BE
PUMP (Continued)

(8) Fill the system with fluid and perform Steering
Pump Initial Operation, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
PUMP - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(9) Start the engine and run it for fifteen minutes
then stop the engine.
(10) Remove the return line/lines from the pump
and plug the pump port/ports.
(11) Pour fresh fluid into the reservoir and check
the draining fluid for contamination. If the fluid is
still contaminated, disassemble and clean the steer-
ing gear and flush the system again.
(12) Install the return line/lines and perform
Steering Pump Initial Operation, (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/PUMP - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
REMOVAL - GASOLINE ENGINE
(1) Remove the serpentine drive belt, (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL) OR (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ACCESSORY
DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the hoses from the power steering
pump and cap the fittings.
(3) Remove battery ground cable and unthread
stud from cylinder head, do not remove from bracket.
(4) Loosen upper bracket bolt and remove the
lower bracket to engine block bolts.
(5) Pivot the pump assembly past the coolant tube.
(6) Remove the upper stud and remove upper bolt
from cylinder head.
(7) Remove steering pump and mounting bracket
from engine as an assembly.
(8) Remove the pump pulley with Puller C-4333, to
access pump attaching bolts, (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/PUMP/PULLEY - REMOVAL).
(9) Remove the front pump bracket (Fig. 3). On
8.0L engine remove rear pump bracket (Fig. 4).
REMOVAL - DIESEL ENGINE
(1) Remove and cap steering pump hoses and vac-
uum pump vacuum line.
(2) Remove the sender unit from engine block and
plug hole in block (Fig. 5).
(3) Remove the serpentine belt, (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove and cap the oil feed line from the bot-
tom of the vacuum pump (Fig. 6).
(5) Remove the lower bolt that attaches the vacu-
um/steering pump assembly to the engine block.
Remove the nut from the steering pump attaching
bracket (Fig. 6).
(6) Remove upper bolt from the pump assembly
(Fig. 7) and remove the assembly.
(7) Remove the mounting gasket.
(8) Remove the steering pump to vacuum pump
bracket attaching nuts (Fig. 8).
Fig. 3 Pump Mounting 8.0L
1 - FRONT BRACKET
2 - REAR BRACKET
3 - STEERING PUMP
4 - PULLEY
Fig. 4 Pump Mounting 8.0L
1 - FRONT BRACKET
2 - REAR BRACKET
3 - STEERING PUMP
4 - PULLEY
BR/BEPUMP 19 - 33
PUMP (Continued)