2002 DODGE RAM steering wheel

²136 N´m (110 ft. lbs.) Install the lower ball joint
cotter pin.
(6) Install the stabilizer bar link on the lower sus-
pension arm. Install the grommet, retainer and nut
and tighten to 37 N´m (27 ft. lbs.).
(7) Install the tie rod end on the steering knuckle
and tighten nut to 108 N´m (80 ft. lbs.). Install cotter
pin.
(8) Install the brake rotor and caliper assembly,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
ROTORS - INSTALLATION).
(9) Install the tire and wheel assembly, (Refer to
22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).
(10) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
(11) Tighten the suspension arm crossmember
nuts to 169 N´m (125 ft. lbs.).
SHOCK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - 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 shock absorber bushings do not require any
type of lubrication. Do not attempt to stop bushing
noise by lubricating them. Grease and mineral oil-
base lubricants will deteriorate the bushing.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove shock upper nut and remove retainer
and grommet.
(3) Remove lower mounting bolt from suspension
arm and remove shock (Fig. 5).
INSTALLATION
(1) Extend shock fully, install retainer and grom-
met on top of shock absorber. Check grommets and
retainer for wear.(2) Guide shock up through upper suspension arm
bracket. Install top grommet, retainer and nut.
Tighten nut to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(3) Align bottom end of shock into lower suspen-
sion arm and install mounting bolt. Tighten bolt to
142 N´m (105 ft. lbs.).
(4) Remove support and lower vehicle.
SPRING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
(3) Remove the brake caliper assembly and rotor,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
ROTORS - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the tie rod.
Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle
with Puller C-3894-A.
(5) Remove the stabilizer bar link from the lower
suspension arm.
(6) Support the lower suspension arm outboard
end with a jack. Place a jack under the arm in front
of the shock mount.
(7) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the lower
ball joint. Separate the ball joint with Remover
C-4150A.
(8) Remove the lower shock bolt from the suspen-
sion arm.
(9) Lower the jack and suspension arm until
spring tension is relieved. Remove spring and rubber
isolator (Fig. 6).
Fig. 5 Shock
1 - SHOCK
2 - JOUNCE BUMPER
BR/BEFRONT - 2WD 2 - 11
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install the rubber isolator on top of the spring.
Position the spring into the upper spring seat.
(2) Raise the lower suspension arm with a jack
and position the spring into the lower suspension
arm mount.
(3) Install the lower shock bolt and tighten to 142
N´m (105 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install the steering knuckle on the lower ball
joint. Install the lower ball joint nut and tighten to:
²136 N´m (110 ft. lbs.) Install the lower ball joint
cotter pin.
(5) Install the stabilizer bar link on the lower sus-
pension arm. Install the grommet, retainer and nut
and tighten to 37 N´m (27 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the tie rod end on the steering knuckle
and tighten nut to 108 N´m (80 ft. lbs.). Install cotter
pin.
(7) Install the brake rotor and caliper assembly,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
ROTORS - INSTALLATION).
(8) Install the tire and wheel assembly, (Refer to
22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).
(9) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
STABILIZER BAR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the link nuts, retainers and grommets
from lower suspension arm and stabilizer bar (Fig.
7).
(3) Remove the stabilizer bar clamps from the
frame rails. Remove the stabilizer bar.
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. Tighten
the bolts to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install links on stabilizer bar and lower sus-
pension arm. Install grommets, retainers and nuts.
Tighten nuts to 37 N´m (27 ft. lbs.).
(3) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
UPPER BALL JOINT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - UPPER BALL
JOINT
(1) Position a floor jack under the lower suspen-
sion arm. Raise the wheel and allow the tire to
lightly contact the floor (vehicle weight relieved from
the tire).
(2) Mount a dial indicator solidly on the upper sus-
pension arm.
(3) Position the indicator plunger against the
upper ball stud boss of the steering knuckle.
(4) Grasp the top of the tire and apply force in and
out. Look for movement at the ball joint between the
upper suspension arm and steering knuckle.
(5) If lateral movement is greater than 0.8 mm
(0.030 in.), replace the suspension arm.
Fig. 6 Coil Spring
1 - COIL SPRING
2 - RUBBER ISOLATER
Fig. 7 STABILIZER BAR
1 - STABILIZER BAR
2 - GROMMET
3 - GROMMET
4 - LINK
2 - 12 FRONT - 2WDBR/BE
SPRING (Continued)

FRONT - 4WD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT - 4WD
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION........................14
DESCRIPTION........................15
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART......................15
SPECIAL TOOLS
LINK/COIL SUSPENSION...............16
HUB / BEARING
REMOVAL.............................16
INSTALLATION.........................17
KNUCKLE
REMOVAL.............................19
INSTALLATION.........................19
UPPER CONTROL ARM
REMOVAL.............................19
INSTALLATION.........................19
UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL - DANA 44 & 60................19
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - DANA 44 AXLE..........20
INSTALLATION - DANA 60 AXLE..........20
LOWER CONTROL ARM
REMOVAL.............................20INSTALLATION.........................20
LOWER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - DANA 44 AXLE..............21
REMOVAL - DANA 60 AXLE..............21
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - DANA 44 AXLE..........21
INSTALLATION - DANA 60 AXLE..........22
SHOCK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SHOCK........22
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................22
SPRING
REMOVAL.............................23
INSTALLATION.........................23
STABILIZER BAR
REMOVAL.............................23
INSTALLATION.........................23
TRACK BAR
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRACK BAR....24
REMOVAL.............................24
INSTALLATION.........................24
FRONT - 4WD
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
The link/coil suspension allows each wheel to adapt
to different road surfaces. The suspension is com-
prised of (Fig. 1) :
²Shock absorbers
²Coil springs
²Upper and lower suspension arms
²Stabilizer bar
²Track bar
²Steering Knuckles
²Jounce Bumper
Fig. 1 Link/Coil Suspension
1 - STABILIZER BAR
2 - SHOCK ABSORBER
3 - COIL SPRING
4 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
5 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
6 - TRACK BAR
2 - 14 FRONT - 4WDBR/BE

SPECIAL TOOLS
LINK/COIL SUSPENSION
HUB / BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the hub extension mounting nuts and
remove the extension from the rotor if equipped (Fig.
2).(4) Remove the brake caliper, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the cotter pin and the hub nut from
the axle shaft (Fig. 3).
(6) Disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor wire
from under the hood. Remove the sensor wire from
the frame and steering knuckle if equipped.
(7) Back off the hub/bearing mounting bolts 1/4
inch each (Fig. 4). Then tap the bolts with a hammer
to loosen the hub/bearing from the steering knuckle.
(8) Remove the hub/bearing mounting bolts and
remove the hub/bearing.
Puller C-3894±A
Remover, Wheel Stud C-4150A
Fig. 2 Hub Extension
1 - HUB EXTENSION
2 - HUB
Fig. 3 Hub Nut Cotter Pin
1 - HUB NUT
2 - COTTER PIN
Fig. 4 Hub/Bearing Mounting Bolts
1 - SOCKET AND EXTENSION
2 - ROTOR AND HUB
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - 16 FRONT - 4WDBR/BE
FRONT - 4WD (Continued)

(9) Remove the rotor assembly (Fig. 5), brake
shield and spacer from the steering knuckle.
(10) Press out the wheel studs/hub extension studs
and separate the rotor from the hub (Fig. 6).
(11) Remove the wheel speed sensor (Fig. 7) from
the hub bearing if equipped.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the wheel speed sensor in the hub bear-
ing if equipped.
(2) Position the rotor on the hub/bearing.
(3) Press the wheel studs/hub extension studs
through the back side of the rotor and through the
hub bearing flange (Fig. 8).
Fig. 5 Rotor Hub/Bearing Assembly
1 - ROTOR AND HUB
2 - UNIT BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - SEAL
Fig. 6 Rotor And Hub/Bearing
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - ROTOR
Fig. 7 Wheel Speed Sensor
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
Fig. 8 Rotor, Hub/Bearing And Stud
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - ROTOR
3 - STUD
BR/BEFRONT - 4WD 2 - 17
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

(4) Apply a liberal quantity of anti-seize compound
to the splines of the front drive shaft.
(5) Insert the two rearmost, top and bottom rotor
hub bolts in the steering knuckle. Insert the bolts
through the back side of the knuckle so they extend
out the front face as shown.
(6) Position the hub spacer (Fig. 9) and brake
shield (Fig. 10) on bolts just installed in knuckle.
NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with a wheel speed
sensor the brake shield must be positioned on the
hub bearing (Fig. 11).
(7) Align the rotor hub with the drive shaft and
start the shaft into the rotor hub splines.
NOTE: Position wheel speed sensor wire at the top
of the knuckle if equipped.
(8) Align the bolt holes in the hub bearing flange
with the bolts installed in the knuckle. Then thread
the bolts into the bearing flange far enough to hold
the assembly in place.
(9) Install the remaining bolts. Tighten the hub/
bearing bolts to 166 N´m (122 ft. labs.
(10) Install the washer and hub nut and tighten to
245 N´m (180 ft. lbs.).
(11) Install a new cotter pin in the hub nut.
Tighten the nut as needed to align the cotter pin hole
in the shaft with the opening in nut.
(12) Install the brake caliper, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTALLATION).
(13) Install the sensor wire to the steering knuckle
and frame and if equipped. Connect the wheel speed
sensor wire under the hood.(14) Install the wheel and tire assemblies, (Refer
to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(15) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
(16) Apply the brakes several times to seat the
brake shoes and caliper piston. Do not move the vehi-
cle until a firm brake pedal is obtained.
Fig. 9 Hub Spacer
1 - ROTOR HUB BOLTS
2 - HUB SPACER (POSITION FLAT TO REAR)
3 - APPLY ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND TO SPLINES
Fig. 10 Brake Shield
1 - BRAKE SHIELD
2 - HUB BEARING BOLTS
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
Fig. 11 Brake Shield With Wheel Speed Sensor
1 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
2 - HUB BEARING
3 - SHIELD
2 - 18 FRONT - 4WDBR/BE
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Gear Teeth Broke 1. Overloading. 1. Replace gears. Examine other
gears and bearings for possible
damage.
2. Erratic clutch operation. 2. Replace gears and examine the
remaining parts for damage. Avoid
erratic clutch operation.
3. Ice-spotted pavement. 3. Replace gears and examine
remaining parts for damage.
4. Improper adjustments. 4. Replace gears and examine
remaining parts for damage. Ensure
ring gear backlash is correct.
Axle Noise 1. Insufficient lubricant. 1. Fill differential with the correct
fluid type and quantity.
2. Improper ring gear and pinion
adjustment.2. Check ring gear and pinion
contact pattern.
3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion. 3. Replace gears with a matched
ring gear and pinion.
4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or
pinion.4. Replace ring gear and pinion.
5. Loose pinion bearings. 5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load.
6. Loose differential bearings. 6. Adjust differential bearing
pre-load.
7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear. 7. Measure ring gear run-out.
Replace components as necessary.
8. Loose differential bearing cap
bolts.8. Inspect differential components
and replace as necessary. Ensure
that the bearing caps are torqued
tot he proper specification.
9. Housing not machined properly. 9. Replace housing.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheels and tires.
(3) Remove brake calipers and rotors. Refer to 5
Brakes for procedures.
(4) Remove ABS wheel speed sensors, if equipped.
Refer to 5 Brakes for procedures.
(5) Disconnect axle vent hose.
(6) Disconnect vacuum hose and electrical connec-
tor at disconnect housing.
(7) Remove front propeller shaft.
(8) Disconnect stabilizer bar links at the axle
brackets.
(9) Disconnect shock absorbers from axle brackets.
(10) Disconnect track bar from the axle bracket.
(11) Disconnect tie rod and drag link from the
steering knuckles.
(12) Position suitable lifting device under the axle
assembly.(13) Secure axle to lifting device.
(14) Mark suspension alignment cams for installa-
tion reference.
(15) Disconnect upper and lower suspension arms
from the axle bracket.
(16) Lower the axle. The coil springs will drop
with the axle.
(17) Remove the coil springs from the axle bracket.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber
bushings should be tightened with the weight of the
vehicle on the suspension, at normal height. If
springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle
ride comfort could be affected and premature bush-
ing wear may occur. Rubber bushings must never
be lubricated.
(1) Support the axle on a suitable lifting device.
3 - 18 FRONT AXLE - 248FBIBR/BE
FRONT AXLE - 248FBI (Continued)

(2) Secure axle to lifting device.
(3) Position the axle under the vehicle.
(4) Install springs, retainer clip and bolts.
(5) Raise axle and align it with the spring pads.
(6) Position upper and lower suspension arms in
the axle brackets. Install bolts, nuts and align the
suspension alignment cams to the reference marks.
Do not tighten at this time.
(7) Connect track bar to the axle bracket and
install the bolt. Do not tighten at this time.
(8) Install shock absorber and tighten bolts to 121
N´m (89 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install stabilizer bar link to the axle bracket.
Tighten the nut to 37 N´m (27 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install drag link and tie rod to the steering
knuckles and tighten the nuts to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.).
(11) Install ABS wheel speed sensors, if equipped.
Refer to 5 Brakes for procedures.
(12) Install rotors and brake calipers, refer to 5
Brakes for procedures.
(13) Connect the vent hose to the tube fitting.
(14) Connect vacuum hose and electrical connector
to disconnect housing.
(15) Install front propeller shaft.
(16) Check and add differential lubricant, if neces-
sary. Refer to Lubricant Specifications for lubricant
requirements.
(17) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(18) Remove supports and lower the vehicle.
(19) Tighten upper suspension arm nuts at axle to
121 N´m (89 ft. lbs.). Tighten upper suspension arm
nuts at frame to 84 N´m (62 ft. lbs.).
(20) Tighten lower suspension arm nuts at axle to
84 N´m (62 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower suspension
arm nuts at frame to 119 N´m (88 ft. lbs.).
(21) Tighten track bar bolt at the axle bracket to
176 N´m (130 ft. lbs.).
(22) Check front wheel alignment.
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched sets
only. The identifying numbers for the ring and pinion
gear are etched into the face of each gear (Fig. 3). A
plus (+) number, minus (±) number or zero (0) is etched
into the face of the pinion gear. This number is the
amount (in thousandths of an inch) the depth varies
from the standard depth setting of a pinion etched with
a (0). The standard setting from the center line of the
ring gear to the back face of the pinion is 127 mm (5.00
in.). The standard depth provides the best gear tooth
contact pattern. Refer to Backlash and Contact Pattern
in this section for additional information.
Compensation for pinion depth variance is
achieved with a select shim/slinger. The shims are
placed between the rear pinion bearing and the pin-
ion gear head (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 PINION GEAR ID NUMBERS
1 - PRODUCTION NUMBERS
2 - PINION GEAR DEPTH VARIANCE
3 - GEAR MATCHING NUMBER
Fig. 4 SHIM LOCATIONS
1 - PINION GEAR DEPTH SHIM/SLINGER
2 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
BR/BEFRONT AXLE - 248FBI 3 - 19
FRONT AXLE - 248FBI (Continued)