2003 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual

Page 129 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(2) Remove brake caliper, rotor and ABS wheel
speed sensor if equipped.
(3) Remove axle shaft cotter pin, hub nut and
washer (Fig. 14).
(4) Remo

Page 130 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual (3) Locate a socket with an outside diameter that
is smaller than the bearing cap. Place the socket
(driver) against the opposite bearing cap.
(4) Position the yoke with the sockets in a vise
(Fig. 18

Page 131 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual ASSEMBLY
(1) Pack the bearing caps 1/3 full of wheel bearing
lubricant. Apply extreme pressure (EP), lithium-base
lubricant to aid in installation.
(2) Position the spider in the yoke. Insert the seal

Page 132 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual (2) Install Turnbuckle 8885-1 (Fig. 24) into the
installer cups and expand the turnbuckle until the
seal bottom out in the housing.
(3) Install differential into the axle housing.
(4) Install axle sha

Page 133 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Mark the propeller shaft and pinion flange for
installation reference.
(2) Remove propeller shaft.
(3) Remove hub bearings and axle shafts.
(4) Rotate pinion gear three or four

Page 134 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual ments, until pinion rotating torque is 0.40-0.57 N´m
(3-5 in. lbs.) greater than recorded measurement.
(8) Rotate pinion several times then verify pinion
rotating torque again.
(9) Install axle shaft

Page 135 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual (4) Mark bearing caps left and right for installa-
tion reference.
(5) Remove bearing cap bolts and remove bearing
caps.
(6) Loosen differential bearing adjusters (Fig. 32)
with Spanner Wrench 8883.
(

Page 136 of 2895

DODGE RAM 2003  Service Repair Manual ASSEMBLY
NOTE: If the same gears and thrust washers are
being used, install them into their orignial locations.
(1) Lubricate all differential components with axle
lubricant.
(2) Install differential