2002 DODGE RAM clutch

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Loss Of Lubricant 1. Lubricant level too high. 1. Drain lubricant to the correct
level.
2. Worn axle shaft seals. 2. Replace seals.
3. Cracked differential housing. 3. Repair as necessary.
4. Worn pinion seal. 4. Replace seal.
5. Worn/scored yoke. 5. Replace yoke and seal.
6. Axle cover not properly sealed. 6. Remove, clean, and re-seal
cover.
Axle Overheating 1. Lubricant level low. 1. Fill differential to correct level.
2. Improper grade of lubricant. 2. Fill differential with the correct
fluid type and quantity.
3. Bearing pre-loads too high. 3. Re-adjust bearing pre-loads.
4. Insufficient ring gear backlash. 4. Re-adjust ring gear backlash.
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. Adjust backlash or
pinion depth.
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.
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 286RBI 3 - 111
REAR AXLE - 286RBI (Continued)

(12) Fill the differential with Mopar Hypoid Gear
Lubricant or equivalent to bottom of the fill plug
hole.
(13) Install fill hole plug and tighten to 34 N´m (25
ft. lbs.).
(14) Remove support and lower vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRAC-LOKT
The most common problem is a chatter noise when
turning corners. Before removing a Trac-lokŸ unit
for repair, drain, flush and refill the axle with the
specified lubricant. A container of Mopar Trac-lokŸ
Lubricant (friction modifier) should be added after
repair service or during a lubricant change.
After changing the lubricant, drive the vehicle and
make 10 to 12 slow, figure-eight turns. This maneu-
ver will pump lubricant through the clutches. This
will correct the condition in most instances. If the
chatter persists, clutch damage could have occurred.
DIFFERENTIAL TEST
The differential can be tested without removing the
differential case by measuring rotating torque. Make
sure brakes are not dragging during this measure-
ment.
(1) Place blocks in front and rear of both front
wheels.
(2) Raise one rear wheel until it is completely off
the ground.
(3) Engine off, transmission in neutral, and park-
ing brake off.
(4) Remove wheel and bolt Special Tool 6790 or
equivalent tool to studs.
(5) Use torque wrench on special tool to rotate
wheel and read rotating torque.
(6) If rotating torque is less than 22 N´m (30 ft.
lbs.) or more than 271 N´m (200 ft. lbs.) on either
wheel the unit should be serviced.
DISASSEMBLY
The Trac-Loktdifferential on this axle has a one-
piece cross shaft and uses one dished disc, regular 5
disc and 7 plates.
NOTE: Pay attention to the clutch pack arrangement
during disassembly. Note the direction of the con-
cave and convex side of the plates and discs.
(1) Mark the ring gear half and cover half for
installation reference (Fig. 35).
(2) Remove case attaching bolts and remove the
button cover half (Fig. 36).
(3) Remove top clutch pack.
(4) Remove top side gear clutch ring.(5) Remove top side gear.
(6) Remove pinion mate gears and cross shaft.
(7) Remove the same parts listed above from the
ring gear flange half of the case. Keep these parts
Fig. 35 CASE MARKED
1 - REFERENCE MARKS
Fig. 36 COVER HALF REMOVAL
1 - CLUTCH PLATES
2 - BUTTON HALF
3 - FLANGE HALF
3 - 128 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

with the flange cover half for installation in their
original positions.
ASSEMBLY
The Trac-Loktdifferential for this axle has a one-
piece cross shaft and uses one dished disc, 5 regular
disc and 7 plates for each clutch pack.
NOTE: The clutch discs are replaceable as com-
plete sets only. If one clutch disc pack is damaged,
both packs must be replaced.
Lubricate each component with gear lube before
assembly and installation.
(1) Saturate the clutch plates with Mopar Hypoid
Gear Lubricant or Additive.
(2) Assembly the discs and plates on the side gear
(Fig. 37) in the following order.
(a) Install dished disc on side gear.
(b) Install one disc on side gear.
(c) Install one plate on side gear.
(d) Install one disc on side gear.
(e) Install one plate on side gear.
(f) Install three discs on side gear.
(g) Install five plates on side gear.
(3) Line up the plate ears and install the assem-
bled pack into the flange half (Fig. 38). Verify clutch
plate lugs enter the slots in the case and clutch pack
bottoms out in the case.(4) Install pinion mate shafts and pinion mate
gears (Fig. 39).Verify shafts are correctly
installed according to the alignment marks.
(5) Lubricate and install the other side gear and
clutch pack (Fig. 38).
(6) Correctly align and assemble button half to
flange half. Install case body screws finger tight.
(7) Tighten body screws alternately and evenly to
122-136 N´m (90-100 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 40).
DIFFERENTIAL CASE
BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove differential case from the housing.
(2) Remove bearings from the differential case
with bridge and bearing splitter (Fig. 41).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install differential bearings with Installer
C-4190 and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 42).
(2) Install differential in the housing.
Fig. 37 CLUTCH PACK ASSEMBLY
1 - CLUTCH PLATES
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - CLUTCH RING
Fig. 38 CLUTCH PACK
1 - LUGS
2 - FLANGE HALF
3 - SIDE GEAR
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 286RBI 3 - 129
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK (Continued)

Fig. 39 CLUTCH PACK
1 - CLUTCH PACK
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - PINION GEARS AND MATE SHAFT
4 - ALIGNMENT MARKS
Fig. 40 CASE HALF BOLTS
1 - FIXTURE
2 - CASE BOLTS
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 41 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING
1 - BRIDGE
2 - SPLITTER
3 - DIFFERENTIAL
Fig. 42 CASE BEARING INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - BEARING
4 - INSTALLER
3 - 130 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS (Continued)

CLUTCH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION..........................1
OPERATION............................2
WARNING.............................2
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CLUTCH........2
SPECIFICATIONS - CLUTCH...............7
CLUTCH DISC
REMOVAL.............................7
INSTALLATION..........................8
CLUTCH HOUSING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CLUTCH
HOUSING............................9
REMOVAL.............................11
INSTALLATION.........................11
CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING
REMOVAL.............................12
INSTALLATION.........................12FLYWHEEL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FLYWHEEL.....13
DISASSEMBLY.........................13
ASSEMBLY............................14
PILOT BEARING
REMOVAL.............................14
INSTALLATION.........................14
CLUTCH PEDAL
REMOVAL.............................15
INSTALLATION.........................15
LINKAGE
REMOVAL.............................15
INSTALLATION.........................16
CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION SWITCH
DESCRIPTION.........................17
OPERATION...........................17
CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION
The clutch mechanism consists of a flywheel, dry-
type disc, diaphragm style pressure plate (Fig. 1) and
hydraulic linkage. The flywheel is bolted to the rear
flange of the crankshaft. The clutch pressure plate is
bolted to the flywheel with the clutch disc between
these two components. The clutch system provides
the mechanical, link between the engine and the
transmission. The system is designed to transfer the
torque output of the engine, to the transmission
while isolating the transmission from the engine fir-
ing pulses to minimize concerns such as gear rattle.
Fig. 1 ENGINE POWERFLOW
BR/BECLUTCH 6 - 1

OPERATION
When the clutch pedal is depressed, it actuates the
clutch master cylinder. This sends hydraulic pressure
to the clutch slave cylinder. The release fork is then
actuated by the slave cylinder mounted on the trans-
mission housing. The release fork pivots on a ball
stud mounted in the transmission housing and
pushes the release bearing. The release bearing then
depresses the pressure plate spring fingers, thereby
releasing pressure on the clutch disc and allowing
the engine crankshaft to spin independently of the
transmission input shaft (Fig. 2).
WARNING
WARNING: EXERCISE CARE WHEN SERVICING
CLUTCH COMPONENTS. FACTORY INSTALLED
CLUTCH DISCS DO NOT CONTAIN ASBESTOS
FIBERS. DUST AND DIRT ON CLUTCH PARTS MAY
CONTAIN ASBESTOS FIBERS FROM AFTERMAR-
KET COMPONENTS. BREATHING EXCESSIVE CON-
CENTRATIONS OF THESE FIBERS CAN CAUSE
SERIOUS BODILY HARM. WEAR A RESPIRATOR
DURING SERVICE AND NEVER CLEAN CLUTCH
COMPONENTS WITH COMPRESSED AIR OR WITH
A DRY BRUSH. EITHER CLEAN THE COMPONENTSWITH A WATER DAMPENED RAGS OR USE A VAC-
UUM CLEANER SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR
REMOVING ASBESTOS FIBERS AND DUST. DO NOT
CREATE DUST BY SANDING A CLUTCH DISC.
REPLACE THE DISC IF THE FRICTION MATERIAL IS
DAMAGED OR CONTAMINATED. DISPOSE OF ALL
DUST AND DIRT CONTAINING ASBESTOS FIBERS
IN SEALED BAGS OR CONTAINERS. THIS WILL
HELP MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO YOURSELF AND TO
OTHERS. FOLLOW ALL RECOMMENDED SAFETY
PRACTICES PRESCRIBED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)
AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AGENCY
(EPA), FOR THE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF
PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASBESTOS.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CLUTCH
A road test and component inspection (Fig. 3) is
recommended to determine a clutch problem.
During a road test, drive the vehicle at normal
speeds. Shift the transmission through all gear
ranges and observe clutch action. If the clutch chat-
ters, grabs, slips or does not release properly, remove
and inspect the clutch components. If the problem is
noise or hard shifting, further diagnosis may be
needed as the transmission or another driveline com-
ponent may be at fault.
CLUTCH CONTAMINATION
Fluid contamination is a frequent cause of clutch
malfunctions. Oil, water or clutch fluid on the clutch
disc and pressure plate surfaces will cause chatter,
slip and grab.
During inspection, note if any components are con-
taminated with oil, hydraulic fluid or water/road
splash.
Oil contamination indicates a leak at either the
rear main seal or transmission input shaft. Oil leak-
age produces a residue of oil on the housing interior
and on the clutch cover and flywheel. Heat buildup
caused by slippage between the cover, disc and fly-
wheel, can sometimes bake the oil residue onto the
components. The glaze-like residue ranges in color
from amber to black.
Road splash contamination means dirt/water is
entering the clutch housing due to loose bolts, hous-
ing cracks or through hydraulic line openings. Driv-
ing through deep water puddles can force water/road
splash into the housing through such openings.
Clutch fluid leaks are usually from damaged slave
cylinder push rod seals.
Fig. 2 CLUTCH OPERATION
1 - FLYWHEEL
2 - PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS
3 - PIVOT POINT
4 - RELEASE BEARING PUSHED IN
5 - CLUTCH DISC ENGAGED
6 - CLUTCH DISC ENGAGED
7 - RELEASE BEARING
6 - 2 CLUTCHBR/BE
CLUTCH (Continued)

Fig. 3 CLUTCH COMPONENTS AND INSPECTION
BR/BECLUTCH 6 - 3
CLUTCH (Continued)

IMPROPER RELEASE OR CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT
Clutch release or engagement problems are caused
by wear or damage to one or more clutch compo-
nents. A visual inspection of the release components
will usually reveal the problem part.
Release problems can result in hard shifting and
noise. Items to look for are: leaks at the clutch cylin-
ders and interconnecting line; loose slave cylinder
bolts; worn/loose release fork and pivot stud; dam-
aged release bearing; and a worn clutch disc, or pres-
sure plate.
Normal condensation in vehicles that are stored or
out of service for long periods of time can generate
enough corrosion to make the disc stick to the fly-
wheel, or pressure plate. If this condition is experi-
enced, correction only requires that the disc be
loosened manually through the inspection plate open-
ing.
Engagement problems usually result in slip, chat-
ter/shudder, and noisy operation. The primary causes
are clutch disc contamination; clutch disc wear; mis-
alignment, or distortion; flywheel damage; or a com-
bination of the foregoing. A visual inspection is
required to determine the part actually causing the
problem.
CLUTCH MISALIGNMENT
Clutch components must be in proper alignment
with the crankshaft and transmission input shaft.
Misalignment caused by excessive runout or warpage
of any clutch component will cause grab, chatter and
improper clutch release.
CLUTCH COVER AND DISC RUNOUT
Check the clutch disc before installation. Axial
(face) runout of anewdisc should not exceed 0.50
mm (0.020 in.). Measure runout about 6 mm (1/4 in.)
from the outer edge of the disc facing. Obtain
another disc if runout is excessive.
Check condition of the clutch before installation. A
warped cover or diaphragm spring will cause grab
and incomplete release or engagement. Be careful
when handling the cover and disc. Impact can distort
the cover, diaphragm spring, release fingers and the
hub of the clutch disc.
Use an alignment tool when positioning the disc on
the flywheel. The tool prevents accidental misalign-
ment which could result in cover distortion and disc
damage.
A frequent cause of clutch cover distortion (and
consequent misalignment) is improper bolt tighten-
ing.
DIAGNOSIS CHART
The clutch inspection chart (Fig. 3) outlines items
to be checked before and during clutch installation.
Use the chart as a check list to help avoid overlook-
ing potential problem sources during service opera-
tions.
The diagnosis charts Diagnosis Chart describe
common clutch problems, causes and correction.
Fault conditions are listed at the top of each chart.
Conditions, causes and corrective action are outlined
in the indicated columns.
The charts are provided as a convenient reference
when diagnosing faulty clutch operation.
DIAGNOSIS CHART
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Disc facing worn out 1. Normal wear. 1. Replace cover and disc.
2. Driver frequently rides (slips) the
clutch. Results in rapid overheating
and wear.2. Replace cover and disc.
3. Insufficient clutch cover
diaphragm spring tension.3. Replace cover and disc.
Clutch disc facing contaminated with
oil, grease, or clutch fluid.1. Leak at rear main engine seal or
transmission input shaft seal.1. Replace appropriate seal.
2. Excessive amount of grease
applied to the input shaft splines.2. Remove grease and apply the
correct amount of grease.
3. Road splash, water entering
housing.3. Replace clutch disc. Clean clutch
cover and reuse if in good condition.
4. Slave cylinder leaking. 4. Replace hydraulic clutch linkage.
6 - 4 CLUTCHBR/BE
CLUTCH (Continued)