2001 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual

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Page 65 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (4) Install upper grommet and retainer. Install
upper shock nut and tighten to 47 N´m (35 ft. lbs).
SPRING
DESCRIPTION
The springs use a rubber isolators between the
frame bracket and spring. The iso

(4) Install upper grommet and retainer. Install
upper shock nut and tighten to 47 N´m (35 ft. lbs).
SPRING
DESCRIPTION
The springs use a rubber isolators between the
frame bracket and spring. The isolators help prevent
road noise. The bottom of the spring sits on a seat
mounted to the axle.
OPERATION
The coil springs control ride quality and maintain
proper ride height.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. Position a
hydraulic jack under the axle to support it.
(2) Paint or scribe alignment marks on lower sus-
pension arm cam adjusters and axle bracket for
installation reference.
(3) Remove the upper suspension arm and loosen
lower suspension arm bolts.
(4) Mark and disconnect the front propeller shaft
from the axle 4x4 models.
(5) Disconnect the track bar from the frame rail
bracket.
(6) Disconnect the drag link from pitman arm.
(7) Disconnect the stabilizer bar link and shock
absorber from the axle.(8) Lower the axle until the spring is free from the
upper mount. Remove the coil spring.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the coil spring on the axle pad.
(2) Raise the axle into position until the spring
seats in the upper mount.
(3) Connect the stabilizer bar links and shock
absorbers to the axle bracket. Connect the track bar
to the frame rail bracket.
(4) Install the upper suspension arm.
(5) Install the front propeller shaft to the axle 4x4
model.
(6) Install drag link to pitman arm and tighten
nut to specifications. Install new cotter pin.
(7) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(8) Tighten the following suspension components
to specifications:
²Link to stabilizer bar nut.
²Lower shock bolt.
²Track bar bolt at axle shaft tube bracket.
²Upper suspension arm nut at axle bracket.
²Upper suspension nut at frame bracket.
²Align lower suspension arm reference marks and
tighten cam nut.
²Lower suspension nut at frame bracket.
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION
The stabilizer bar extends across the front under-
side of the chassis and connects to the frame rails.
Links are connected from the bar to the axle brack-
ets. Stabilizer bar mounts are isolated by teflon lined
rubber bushings.
OPERATION
The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front
sway during turns. The spring steel bar helps to con-
trol the vehicle body in relationship to the suspen-
sion.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Hold the stabilizer link shafts with a wrench
and remove the link nuts at the stabilizer bar.
(3) Remove the retainers and grommets from the
stabilizer bar links.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar link nuts from the
axle brackets.
(5) Remove the links from the axle brackets with
Puller C-3894-A (Fig. 18).
(6) Remove the stabilizer bar clamps from the
frame rails and remove the stabilizer bar.
Fig. 17 Shock Absorber Axle Mount
1 - SHOCK
2 - SPRING
3 - FLAG NUT
4 - SHOCK BOLT
2 - 22 FRONT - 4WDBR/BE
SHOCK (Continued)

Page 66 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual INSTALLATION
(1) Position the stabilizer bar on the frame rail
and install the clamps and bolts. Ensure the bar is
centered with equal spacing on both sides.
(2) Tighten the clamp bolts to 54 N´m (40

INSTALLATION
(1) Position the stabilizer bar on the frame rail
and install the clamps and bolts. Ensure the bar is
centered with equal spacing on both sides.
(2) Tighten the clamp bolts to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install links to the axle bracket and tighten
nut to 47 N´m (35 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install links, retainers, grommets and nuts to
the stabilizer bar. Hold the link shaft with a wrench
and tighten the nuts to 37 N´m (27 ft. lbs.).
(5) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
TRACK BAR
DESCRIPTION
The bar is attached to a frame rail bracket with a
ball stud and is isolated with a bushing at the axle
bracket.
OPERATION
The track bar is used to control front axle side-to-
side movement.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRACK BAR
(1) Turn the front wheel 90É to the left of center.
(2) Mount a dial indicator to the left frame rail in
front of the track bar ball joint (Fig. 19).
(3) Position the dial indicator plunger on the ball
joint end cap next to the grease fitting and zero the
indicator.
NOTE: Dial indicator plunger must be perpendicular
to the ball joint end cap.(4) Turn the front wheel 180É to the right and
record the dial indicator reading. Repeat this step
three times and record all readings.
(5) If any of the readings exceed 2.03 mm (0.080
in) replace the track bar.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the ball
stud end at the frame rail bracket (Fig. 20) .
(3) Remove ball stud from bracket with Puller
C-4150A (Fig. 21) .
(4) Remove the bolt and flag nut from the axle
bracket and remove the track bar (Fig. 20) .
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the track bar at axle bracket. Loosely
install the retaining bolt and flag nut.
(2) Pry the axle assembly over to install the track
bar at the frame rail bracket.
(3) Install the retaining nut on the stud. Tighten
the ball stud nut to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.). Install a new
cotter pin.
(4) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(5) Tighten the bolt at the axle bracket to 176 N´m
(130 ft. lbs.).
UPPER CONTROL ARM
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the upper suspension arm nut and bolt
at the axle bracket (Fig. 22) .
Fig. 18 Stabilizer Link
1 - PULLER
2 - LINK
Fig. 19 Dial Indicator Location
1 - TRACK BAR BALL JOINT
BR/BEFRONT - 4WD 2 - 23
STABILIZER BAR (Continued)

Page 67 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (3) Remove the nut and bolt at the frame rail and
remove the upper suspension arm.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the upper suspension arm at the axle
and frame rail.
(2) Install the bolts and finger tight

Page 68 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (2) Position tools as shown to remove lower ball
stud (Fig. 24).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position tools as shown to install lower ball
stud (Fig. 25).
UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL -
(1) Position tools as shown t

Page 69 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual REAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR
DESCRIPTION...........................26
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................26
SPRING AND SHOCK....................26
SPECIFICATIONS........................27

REAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR
DESCRIPTION...........................26
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................26
SPRING AND SHOCK....................26
SPECIFICATIONS........................27
SPECIAL TOOLS.........................28
BUSHINGS
REMOVAL..............................28
INSTALLATION...........................28
JOUNCE BUMPER
DESCRIPTION...........................28
OPERATION.............................28
SHOCK
DESCRIPTION...........................28OPERATION.............................28
REMOVAL..............................28
INSTALLATION...........................28
SPRING
DESCRIPTION...........................28
OPERATION.............................28
REMOVAL..............................28
INSTALLATION...........................29
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION...........................30
OPERATION.............................30
REMOVAL..............................30
INSTALLATION...........................30
REAR
DESCRIPTION
The rear suspension is comprised of:
²Shock Absorbers
²Jounce Bumpers
²Stabilizer Bar (optional)
²Leaf Springs
²Drive Axle
CAUTION: A vehicle should always be loaded so
the vehicle weight center-line is located immedi-
ately forward of the rear axle. Correct vehicle load-
ing provides proper front tire-to-road contact. This
results in maximum vehicle handling stability and
safety. Incorrect vehicle weight distribution can
cause excessive tire tread wear, spring fatigue or
failure, and erratic steering.
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/ure-
thane bushings (except stabilizer bar) should be
tightened with the vehicle at normal ride height. It is
important to have the springs supporting the weight
of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued. If
springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle
ride comfort could be affected and premature bush-
ing wear may occur.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SPRING AND
SHOCK
A knocking or rattling noise from a shock absorber
may be caused by movement between mounting
bushings and metal brackets or attaching compo-
nents. These noises can usually be stopped by tight-
ening the attaching nuts. If the noise persists,
inspect for damaged and worn bushings, and attach-
ing components. Repair as necessary if any of these
conditions exist.
A squeaking noise from the shock absorber may be
caused by the hydraulic valving and may be intermit-
tent. This condition is not repairable and the shock
absorber must be replaced.
The shock absorbers are not refillable or adjust-
able. If a malfunction occurs, the shock absorber
must be replaced. To test a shock absorber, hold it in
an upright position and force the piston in and out of
the cylinder four or five times. The action throughout
each stroke should be smooth and even.
The spring eye and shock absorber bushings do not
require any type of lubrication. Do not attempt to
stop spring bushing noise by lubricating them.
Grease and mineral oil-base lubricants will deterio-
rate the bushing rubber.
If the vehicle is used for severe, off-road operation,
the springs should be examined periodically. Check
for broken and shifted leafs, loose and missing clips,
and broken center bolts. Refer to Spring and Shock
Absorber Diagnosis chart for additional information.
2 - 26 REARBR/BE

Page 70 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
SPRING SAGS 1. Broken leaf. 1. Replace spring.
2. Spring fatigue. 2. Replace spring.
SPRING NOISE 1. Loose spring clamp bolts. 1. Tighten

Page 71 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual SPECIAL TOOLS
SUSPENSION-REAR
BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the spring from the vehicle.
(2) Position the spring eye in a press.
(3) Press the bushing out with an appropriate size
driver.
INSTALLATION
(

SPECIAL TOOLS
SUSPENSION-REAR
BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the spring from the vehicle.
(2) Position the spring eye in a press.
(3) Press the bushing out with an appropriate size
driver.
INSTALLATION
(1) Press new bushing into the spring eye with an
appropriate size driver. The bushing should be cen-
tered in the spring eye.
(2) Install the spring on the vehicle.
JOUNCE BUMPER
DESCRIPTION
The jounce bumpers are bolted to the frame rail
above the axle.
OPERATION
The jounce bumpers are used to limit the spring
and axle travel.
SHOCK
DESCRIPTION
The top of the shock absorbers are bolted to the
body crossmember. The bottom of the shocks are
bolted to the axle bracket.
OPERATION
The shocks dampen the jounce and rebound as the
vehicle travels over various road conditions.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle and support axle.
(2) Remove the bolt and flag nut from the frame
crossmember bracket (Fig. 1) .
(3) Remove the bolt and nut from the axle bracket.(4) Remove the rear shock absorber from the vehi-
cle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the shock absorber in the brackets.
(2) Install the bolts through the brackets and the
shock. Install the flag nut on the top bolt and nut on
lower bolt.
(3) Tighten the upper and lower bolt/nuts Tighten
to 136 N.m (100 ft. lbs.)
(4) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
SPRING
DESCRIPTION
The rear suspension system uses a multi-leaf
springs and a solid drive axle. The forward end of the
springs are mounted to the body rail hangers
through rubber bushings. The rearward end of the
springs are attached to the body by the use of shack-
les. The spring and shackles use rubber bushings.
OPERATION
The springs control ride quality and maintain vehi-
cle ride height. The shackles allow the springs to
change their length as the vehicle moves over various
road conditions.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle and support the axle to
remove all weight from the springs.
Puller C-3894-A
Fig. 1 Shock Absorber
1 - FLAG NUT
2 - AXLE
3 - SHOCK
2 - 28 REARBR/BE
REAR (Continued)

Page 72 of 2889

DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual (2) Remove the nuts and spring clamp bolts that
attach the spring to the axle (Fig. 2) and (Fig. 3)and
(Fig. 4).
(3) Remove the nuts and bolts from the spring
front and rear shackle eyes.Note: To remo

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