2002 DODGE RAM power

LOOSE STEERING AND VEHICLE LEAD
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING
WHEEL1. Worn or loose suspension or
steering components.1. Inspect and repair as necessary.
2. Worn or loose wheel bearings. 2. Inspect and repair or adjust
bearings.
3. Steering gear mounting. 3. Tighten gear mounting bolts to
specification.
4. Gear out of adjustment. 4. Adjust gear to specification.
5. Worn or loose steering coupler. 5. Inspect and replace as
necessary.
VEHICLE PULLS OR LEADS TO
ONE SIDE.1. Tire Pressure. 1. Adjust tire pressure.
2. Radial tire lead. 2. Rotate tires.
3. Brakes dragging. 3. Repair as necessary.
4. Wheel alignment. 4. Align front end.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER STEERING
FLOW AND PRESSURE
The following procedure is used to test the opera-
tion of the power steering system on the vehicle. This
test will provide the flow rate of the power steering
pump along with the maximum relief pressure. Per-
form test any time a power steering system problem
is present. This test will determine if the power
steering pump or power steering gear is not function-
ing properly. The following pressure and flow test is
performed using Power Steering Analyzer Tool kit
6815 (Fig. 2) and Adapter Kit 6893.
POWER STEERING ANALYZER INSTALLATION
WITHOUT HYDRAULIC BOOSTER
(1) Remove the high pressure hose from the power
steering pump.
(2) Connect Tube 6844 into the pump hose fitting.
(3) Connect pressure gauge hose from the Power
Steering Analyzer to Tube 6844.
(4) Connect Adapter 6826 to Power Steering Ana-
lyzer test valve end.
(5) Connect the power steering hose from the
steering gear to Adapter 6826.
WITH HYDRAULIC BOOSTER
(1) Remove high pressure hose which goes to the
steering gear from the tube coming out of the booster.
(2) Connect Adapter 6826 to the Power Steering
Analyzer pressure gauge hose.
(3) Connect pressure gauge hose to the tube com-
ing out of the booster.
(4) Connect Tube 6844 to the steering gear hose
and Power Steering Analyzer test valve end.
FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST
(1) Check belt condition and tension.
(2) Open the test valve completely.
(3) Start engine and let idle long enough to circu-
late power steering fluid through flow/pressure test
gauge and to get air out of the fluid. Then shut off
engine.
(4) Check fluid level, add fluid as necessary. Start
engine again and let idle.
(5) Gauge should read below 1034 kPa (150 psi), if
above, inspect the hoses for restrictions and repair as
Fig. 2 Pressure Test Gauge
1 - GAUGE HOSE
2 - TUBE
3 - ADAPTER FITTINGS
4 - ANALYZER
19 - 4 STEERINGBR/BE
STEERING (Continued)

necessary. The initial pressure reading should be in
the range of 345-552 kPa (50-80 psi).
(6) Increase the engine speed to 1500 RPM and
read the flow meter. If the flow rate (GPM) is below
specification (Refer to pump specification chart for
GPM) the pump should be replaced.
CAUTION: The following test procedure involves
testing maximum pump pressure output and flow
control valve operation. Do not leave valve closed
for more than three seconds as the pump could be
damaged.
(7) Close valve fully three times and record high-
est pressure indicated each time.All three read-
ings must be above specifications and within
345 kPa (50 psi) of each other.
²Pressures above specifications but not within
345 kPa (50 psi) of each other, replace pump.
²Pressures within 345 kPa (50 psi) of each other
but below specifications, replace pump.
(8) Open the test valve and turn the steering
wheel to the extreme left and right positions three
times against the stops. Record the highest pressure
reading at each position. Compare the readings to
the pump specifications chart. If pressures readings
are not within 50 psi of each other, the gear is leak-
ing internally and must be repaired.CAUTION: Do not force the pump to operate against
the stops for more than 2 to 3 seconds at a time
because, pump damage will result.
PUMP SPECIFICATION
ENGINERELIEF PRESSURE
(P.S.I.)FLOW
(G.P.M.) at
1500 RPM
3.9L 1450 to 1550 2.7 to 3.1
5.2L 1450 to 1550 2.7 to 3.1
5.9L 1450 to 1550 2.7 to 3.1
8.0L 1450 to 1550 2.7 to 3.1
5.9L
Diesel1450 to 1550 3.1 to 3.5
All With
Hydraulic
Booster1450 to 1550 3.1 to 3.5
NOTE: After preforming test and removing Power
Steering Analyzer, check power steering fluid level.
BR/BESTEERING 19 - 5
STEERING (Continued)

GEAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR
DESCRIPTION.........................16
OPERATION...........................16
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
STEERING GEAR LEAKAGE.............16
REMOVAL.............................18
INSTALLATION.........................18
ADJUSTMENTS........................18
SPECIFICATIONS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............21
TORQUE CHART......................21
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............22
PITMAN BEARING
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................23PITMAN SHAFT
REMOVAL.............................24
INSTALLATION.........................25
PITMAN SHAFT SEAL
REMOVAL.............................25
INSTALLATION.........................26
SPOOL VALVE
REMOVAL.............................26
INSTALLATION.........................28
STEERING GEAR HOUSING PLUG
REMOVAL.............................29
INSTALLATION.........................30
WORM SHAFT
REMOVAL.............................30
INSTALLATION.........................31
GEAR
DESCRIPTION
The power steering gear is a recirculating ball type
gear (Fig. 1). The gear ratio's used are 17.5:1 and
14:1.
OPERATION
The gear acts as a rolling thread between the
worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is sup-
ported by a thrust bearing at the lower end and abearing assembly at the upper end. When the worm
shaft is turned from input from the steering column
the rack piston moves. The rack piston teeth mesh
with the pitman shaft. Turning the worm shaft, turns
the pitman shaft, which turns the steering linkage.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER STEERING
GEAR LEAKAGE
(1) Possible power steering gear leakage areas.
(Fig. 2).
19 - 16 GEARBR/BE

Fig. 1 Power Steering Gear
1 - THRUST BEARING
2 - O-RING SEAL
3 - INLET
4 - OUTLET
5 - SEAL
6 - TORSION BAR
7 - STUB SHAFT
8 - ADJUSTER PLUG
9 - THRUST BEARING10 - TEFLON SEALS
11 - SPOOL VALVE
12 - VALVE BODY
13 - WORMSHAFT
14 - PIN
15 - PITMAN SHAFT
16 - RACK PISTON
17 - TEFLON RING
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 17
GEAR (Continued)

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 - 21
GEAR (Continued)

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 - 22 GEARBR/BE
GEAR (Continued)

(7) Remove spool valve O-ring and valve body
teflon rings and O-rings underneath the teflon rings
(Fig. 29).
(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.
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 - 28 GEARBR/BE
SPOOL VALVE (Continued)

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-
ton onto the tool and hold the rack piston balls in
place.
(7) Remove the rack piston and tool together from
housing.
(8) Remove tool from rack piston.
(9) Remove rack piston balls.
(10) Remove clamp bolts, clamp and ball guide
(Fig. 37).
Fig. 34 Installing The
1 - RING CAP
2 - PUNCH ACCESS HOLE
3 - RETAINER RING
Fig. 35 Rack Piston End Plug
1 - EXTENSION
2 - END PLUG
3 - RACK PISTON
4 - RATCHET
Fig. 36 Rack Piston with Arbor
1 - RACK PISTON
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4175
19 - 30 GEARBR/BE
STEERING GEAR HOUSING PLUG (Continued)