2003 DODGE RAM wheel bolts

INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - 4X4 (LD)
(1) Position the lower control arm at the frame rail
brackets. Install the pivot bolts and nuts. Tighten the
nuts finger-tight.
CAUTION: The ball joint stud taper must be CLEAN
and DRY before installing the knuckle. Clean the
stud taper with mineral spirits to remove dirt and
grease.
(2) Insert the lower ball joint into the steering
knuckle. Install and tighten the retaining nut to 52
N´m (38 ft. lbs.)(on 1500 series only an additional 90É
turn is required).
(3) Install the torsion bar, (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/FRONT/TRACK BAR - INSTALLATION).
(4) Install shock absorber lower bolt and tighten to
135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install the front halfshaft, (Refer to 3 - DIF-
FERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF SHAFT -
INSTALLATION).
(6) Insert the upper ball joint into the steering
knuckle. Install and tighten the retaining nut to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.)(on 1500 series only an additional 90É
turn is required).
(7) Install the stabilizer bar link (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER LINK - INSTALLA-
TION).
(8) Tighten the lower control arm front pivot nut
to 204 N´m (150 ft. lbs.). Tighten rear pivot bolt to
204 N´m (150 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install the wheel and tire assembly,(Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(10) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
(11) Adjust the front suspension height and per-
form a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
INSTALLATION - 4X2
(1) Install the lower control arm into place on the
vehicle.
(2) Install the front and rear control arm pivot
bolts finger tight.
(3) Install the coil spring into the frame pocket(Re-
fer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/SPRING - INSTAL-
LATION).
(4) Install the Spring Compressor DD-1278 up
through the lower suspension arm, coil spring and
shock hole in the frame.
(5) Tighten the tool nut to compress the coil
spring.
(6) Remove the support from the upper control
arm and steering knuckle.(7) Position the lower ball joint into the steering
knuckle.
(8) Install the retaining nut on the lower ball joint
and tighten to 52 N´m (38 ft. lbs.)(on 1500 series only
an additional 90É turn is required) or 135 N´m (100
ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2 only).
(9) Support the lower control arm at the outboard
side of the lower control arm to support vehicle
weight.
(10) Remove the spring compressor tool.
(11) Install the shock absorber. (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/SHOCK - INSTALLATION).
(12) Install the stabilizer link (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER LINK - INSTALLA-
TION).
(13) Remove the lower control arm support.
(14) Install the wheel and tire assembly and lower
the vehicle. (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS
- STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(15) Lower the vehicle to the floor with vehicle
weight and Tighten the front and rear control arm
pivot bolts to 204 N´m (150 ft. lbs.)(LD) or 285 N´m
(210 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2 only).
(16) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
SPRING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.
(3)
Support the lower control arm at the outboard
side of the lower control arm to support vehicle weight.
(4) Remove the shock absorber (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/SHOCK - REMOVAL).
(5) Install Spring Compressor DD-1278 up through
the lower suspension arm, coil spring and shock hole
in the frame. The bell-shaped adapter goes against
the lower suspension arm. Install the nut on top of
the tool at the shock hole (Fig. 25).
(6) Tighten the spring compressor nut against bell-
shaped adapter finger tight then loosen 1/2 turn.
NOTE: This will hold the spring in place until the
lower suspension arm is separated from the steer-
ing knuckle.
(7) Remove the stabilizer link (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER LINK - REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the lower ball joint nut at the steering
knuckle.
(9) Install Ball Joint Remover tool 8677 on the
lower ball joint and separate the ball joint from the
knuckle.
(10)
DRFRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 2 - 21
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)

NOTE: Do not allow the upper control arm and
steering knuckle to rebound downwards they must
be supported.Support the upper control arm and
steering knuckle out of the way.
(11) Remove the lower control arm support.
(12) Tighten the spring compressor tool to allow
clearance for the lower ball joint to be removed out of
the knuckle.
NOTE: It may necessary to loosen the control arm
pivot bolt to allow downward swing.
(13) Loosen the tension on the spring compressor
tool slowly allowing the lower suspension arm to
pivot downward.
(14) Remove the spring compressor tool.
(15) Remove coil spring and isolator pad from the
vehicle (Fig. 26).
INSTALLATION
(1) Tape the isolator pad to the top of the coil
spring. Position the spring in the lower suspension
arm well. Be sure that the coil spring is seated in the
well.
(2) Install Spring Compressor DD-1278 up through
the lower suspension arm, coil spring and shock hole
in the frame.
(3) Tighten the tool nut to compress the coil
spring.(4) Remove the support from the upper control
arm and steering knuckle.
(5) Position the lower ball joint into the steering
knuckle.
(6) Install the retaining nut on the lower ball joint
and tighten to 52 N´m (38 ft. lbs.)(on 1500 series only
an additional 90É turn is required) or 135 N´m (100
ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2 only).
(7) Remove the spring compressor tool.
(8) Support the lower control arm at the outboard
side of the lower control arm to support vehicle
weight.
(9) Install the shock absorber. (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/SHOCK - INSTALLATION).
(10) Install the stabilizer link (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER LINK - INSTALLA-
TION).
(11) Remove the lower control arm support.
(12) Install the wheel and tire assembly and lower
the vehicle. (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS
- STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(13) Lower the vehicle to the floor with vehicle
weight and Tighten the front and rear control arm
pivot bolts if loosened to 204 N´m (150 ft. lbs.)(LD) or
285 N´m (210 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2 only).
(14) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
Fig. 25 SPRING COMPRESSOR TOOL
1 - SPECIAL TOOL DD-1278
2 - BELL-SHAPED ADAPTER
Fig. 26 COIL SPRING
1 - COIL SPRING
2 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - OUTER TIE ROD END
4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
5 - SHOCK
2 - 22 FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONDR
SPRING (Continued)

UPPER CONTROL ARM
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the nut from upper ball joint.
(4) Separate upper ball joint from the steering
knuckle with Remover 8677 (Fig. 33)
CAUTION: When installing Remover 8677 to sepa-
rate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball
joint seal.(5) Remove the control arm pivot bolts and remove
control arm (Fig. 34).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the control arm into the frame brack-
ets. Install bolts and tighten to 132 N´m (97 ft.
lbs.)(LD) or 170 N´m (125 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2 only).
(2) Insert the ball joint in steering knuckle and
tighten the upper ball joint nut to 54 N´m (40 ft.
lbs.)(on 1500 series only an additional 90É turn is
required).
(3) Install the wheel and tire assembly,(Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(4) Remove the support and lower vehicle.
(5) Perform a wheel alignment, (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
Fig. 33 UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
2 - REMOVER
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
Fig. 34 UPPER CONTROL ARM
1 - REAR PIVOT BOLT
2 - FRONT PIVOT BOLT
3 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
DRFRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION 2 - 27

DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Stabilizer Link
Stabilizer Bar Nut38 27 Ð
Hub/Bearing
Bolts202 149 Ð
Axle Nut 179 Beginning Torque, Then
Rotate 5 to 10 Times With a
Final Torque of 356132 Beginning Torque, Then
Rotate 5 to 10 Times With a
Final Torque of 263Ð
Tie Rod End
Nut75 55 Ð
NOTE: Suspension components with rubber/ure-
thane bushings should be tightened with the vehi-
cle 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 bushing wear may occur.
SPECIAL TOOLS
9 1/4 AA
Puller C-3894±A
Remover, Wheel Stud C-4150A
BALL JOINT PRESS - C-4212F
REMOVER / INSTALLER BALLJOINT - 8445
RECEIVER CUP - 6761
BALLJOINT RECIEVER/INSTALLER KIT- 8975
DRFRONT - LINK/COIL 2 - 29
FRONT - LINK/COIL (Continued)

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.
1).
(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. 2).
(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. 3). 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.
(9) Remove the rotor assembly (Fig. 4), 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. 5).
(11) Remove the wheel speed sensor (Fig. 6) from
the hub bearing if equipped.
Fig. 1 Hub Extension
1 - HUB EXTENSION
2 - HUB
Fig. 2 Hub Nut Cotter Pin
1 - HUB NUT
2 - COTTER PIN
Fig. 3 Hub/Bearing Mounting Bolts
1 - SOCKET AND EXTENSION
2 - ROTOR AND HUB
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
Fig. 4 Rotor Hub/Bearing Assembly
1 - ROTOR AND HUB
2 - UNIT BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - SEAL
2 - 30 FRONT - LINK/COILDR

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. 7).
(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. 8) and brake
shield (Fig. 9) 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. 10).
(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.
Fig. 5 ROTOR AND HUB/BEARING
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - ROTOR
Fig. 6 Wheel Speed Sensor
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
Fig. 7 Rotor, Hub/Bearing And Stud
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - ROTOR
3 - STUD
Fig. 8 Hub Spacer
1 - ROTOR HUB BOLTS
2 - HUB SPACER (POSITION FLAT TO REAR)
3 - APPLY ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND TO SPLINES
DRFRONT - LINK/COIL 2 - 31
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

(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 202 N´m (149 ft. lbs.
(10) Install the washer and axle nut and tighten a
beginning torque of 179 N´m (132 ft. lbs.).
(11) Rotate the axle 5 to 10 times to seat the hub
bearing.
(12) Tighten to a final torque of 356 N´m (263 ft.
lbs.).
(13) Align the axle nut to the next forward cotter
pin hole and install a new cotter pin in the axle nut.
(14) Install the brake caliper, (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC
BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTALLATION).
(15) Install the sensor wire to the steering knuckle
and frame and if equipped. Connect the wheel speed
sensor wire under the hood.
(16) Install the wheel and tire assemblies, (Refer
to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(17) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
(18) 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.
LOWER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove lower snap ring from the lower ball
joint (Fig. 11).
(2) Position special tool 8975±2 (RECEIVER) and
8975±4 (DRIVER) with tool C4212±F as shown to
remove lower ball stud (Fig. 12).
Fig. 9 Brake Shield
1 - BRAKE SHIELD
2 - HUB BEARING BOLTS
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
Fig. 10 Brake Shield With Wheel Speed Sensor
1 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
2 - HUB BEARING
3 - SHIELD
Fig. 11 LOWER SNAP RING
2 - 32 FRONT - LINK/COILDR
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

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 and support the vehicle.
(2) Support the axle with a suitable holding fix-
ture.
(3) Remove the nuts, spring clamp bolts and the
plate that attach the spring to the axle (Fig. 4).
(4) Remove the nuts and bolts from the spring
front and rear shackle (Fig. 4).
(5) Remove the spring from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position spring on axle shaft tube so spring
center bolt is inserted into the locating hole in the
axle tube.
(2)
Align the front of the spring with the bolt hole in
the front bracket. Install the eye pivot bolt and nut.
(3) Align the rear of the spring into the shackle
and install the bolt and nut.
(4) Tighten the spring front and rear eye pivot bolt
snug do not torque.
(5) Install the spring clamp bolts, plate and the
retaining nuts.
(6) Remove the holding fixture for the rear axle.
(7) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle so
that the weight is being supported by the tires.
(8) Tighten the spring clamp retaining nuts to 149
N´m (110 ft. lbs.).
(9) Tighten the spring front and rear pivot bolt
nuts to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
SPRING TIP INSERTS
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove both rear tireand wheel assemblies
(3)
Position a large C-Clamp adjacent to the spring
clinch clip and clamp the leaves of the spring together
CAUTION: When working on the front leaf spring
clinch clamps finish the front before starting on the
rear to prevent personal injury.
(4) Use an appropriate pry bar to bend open the
spring clinch clip (Fig. 5). If necessary, remove the
existing spring clinch clip isolators.
Fig. 4 REAR SPRING
1 - LEAF SPRING
2 - PLATE
3 - NUTS
4 - FRONT NUT & BOLT
5 - SPRING CLAMP BOLTS
6 - SHACKLES
Fig. 5 C-CLAMP AND PRY BAR
1 - REAR LEAF SPRING CLINCH CLAMP
2-PRYBAR
3 - C-CLAMP
DRREAR 2 - 41