2003 DODGE RAM Diesel

(11) Connect battery negative cables.
(12) Check engine oil level and adjust, if necessary.
(13) Start engine and check for oil leaks.
CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL
RETAINER
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cables.
(2) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(3) Remove the oil pan drain plug and drain the
engine oil. Re-install plug and torque to 50 N´m (44
ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Remove transmission and transfer case (if
equipped) from vehicle.
(5) Remove flywheel or torque converter drive
plate.
(6) Disconnect starter cables from starter motor.
(7) Remove starter motor (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - REMOVAL)
and transmission adapter plate assembly.
(8) Remove four (4) oil pan rear bolts. Slide a
feeler guage between the seal retainer and oil pan
gasket to break the seal.
(9) Remove the six (6) retainer-to-block bolts (Fig.
75).
(10) Remove the rear seal retainer and gasket
(Fig. 75).
(11) Support the seal retainer and drive out the
crankshaft seal with a hammer and suitable punch.
INSTALLATION
(1) If using the old seal retainer, the crankshaft
seal must be replaced.(2) Inspect oil pan gasket for nickes or cuts. If gas-
ket is damaged, the oil pan must be removed and
gasket must be replaced. Wipe oil pan gasket dry and
apply light coating of RTV.
(3) Using the retainer alignment/seal installation
tool provided in the seal service kit, install the align-
ment tool into the retainer and install to the cylinder
block (Fig. 76), using a new gasket. Tighten the six
(6) mounting bolts by hand.
(4) The seal alignment tool is used to align rear
cover properly. Starting with the center two bolts,
tighten the retainer in a circular pattern to 10 N´m
(89 in. lbs.). Remove the alignment tool.
CAUTION: The seal lip and the sealing surface on
the crankshaft must be free from all oil residue to
prevent seal leaks. The crankshaft and seal sur-
faces must be completely dry when the seal is
installed. Use a soap and water solution on outside
diameter of seal to ease assembly.
(5) Make sure the provided seal pilot is installed
into the new crankshaft seal. Use the alignment/in-
stallation tool and press the seal onto the crankshaft
(Fig. 77). Alternately drive the seal at the 12, 3, 6
and 9 o'clock positions.
(6) Remove the alignment tool and trim the
retainer gasket even with the oil pan mounting sur-
face (Fig. 78).
(7) Remove the seal pilot.
(8) Apply a small amount of MopartSilicone Rub-
ber Adhesive Sealant to the oil pan rail T-joints.
(9) Install the four (4) oil pan rear mounting bolts
and torque to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install new rectangular ring seal for cam bore.
Fig. 75 Crankshaft Rear Seal Retainer and Gasket
1 - RETAINER
2 - GASKET
3 - BOLT
Fig. 76 Aligning Seal Retainer with Alignment/
Installation Tool
1 - ALIGNMENT / INSTALLATION TOOL
2 - SEAL RETAINER
9 - 326 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)

(11) Install the flywheel housing and bolts. Torque
bolts to 77 N´m (57 ft. lbs.).
(12) Install the flywheel or converter drive plate.
Tighten bolts to 137 N´m (101 ft. lbs.).
(13) Install the starter motor and torque to 43 N´m
(21 ft. lbs.)(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/STARTING/
STARTER MOTOR - INSTALLATION).
(14) Install the transmission and transfer case (if
equipped).
(15) Lower vehicle.
(16) Fill the crankcase with new engine oil.
(17) Connect the battery negative cables.
(18) Start engine and check for oil leaks.
SOLID LIFTERS/TAPPETS
REMOVAL
NOTE: This procedure requires use of Miller Tool
8502 Tappet Replacement Kit.
(1) Remove camshaft (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/EN-
GINE BLOCK/CAMSHAFT & BEARINGS (IN
BLOCK) - REMOVAL).
(2) Insert the trough (provided with tool kit) the
full length of the camshaft bore (Fig. 79). Make sure
the cap end goes in first and the open side faces up
(towards tappets).
(3)Remove only one tappet at a time.Remove
rubber band from one cylinder pair and attach tappet
dowel not being removed to the next cylinder pair
(Fig. 80).
Fig. 79 Inserting the Trough - Typical
1 - TROUGH
Fig. 80 Secure Dowel/Tappet to Adjacent Cylinder -
typical
Fig. 77 Installing Seal Using Alignment Tool and
Hammer
1 - SEAL PILOT TOOL
2 - INSTALLATION TOOL
3 - SEAL
4 - RETAINER
Fig. 78 Trimming Excess Gasket Material
1 - GASKET
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 327
CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL RETAINER (Continued)

(4) Raise dowel rod (disengage from tappet) and
allow tappet to fall into trough (Fig. 81).
(5) Carefully remove trough(do not rotate)and
tappet. If the tappet is not being replaced, mark it so
it can be installed in its original location.
(6) Re-install trough and repeat procedure on
remaining tappets.
CLEANING
Clean tappet with a suitable solvent. Rinse in hot
water and blow dry with a clean shop rag or com-
pressed air.
INSPECTION
(1) Visually inspect the tappet the tappet socket,
stem, and face for excessive wear, cracks, or obvious
damage (Fig. 82).
(2) Measure the tappet stem diameter. Replace the
tappet if it falls below the minimum size (Fig. 82).
INSTALLATION
(1) Insert the trough the full length of the cam-
shaft bore. Again, make sure the cap end goes in first
and the open side faces up (towards tappets).
(2) Lower the tappet installation tool through the
push rod hole (Fig. 83) and into the trough.
(3) Retrieve the tappet installation tool using the
hooked rod provided with the tool kit (Fig. 84).
Fig. 83 Insert Installation Tool through Push Rod
Hole - Typical
Fig. 84 Retrieve Tappet Installation Tool through
Cam Bore - Typical
Fig. 81 Lift Dowel Rod to Disengage from Tappet -
typical
Fig. 82 Tappet Inspection
TAPPET STEM DIAMETER
15.936 mm (0.627 in.) MIN.
15.977 mm (0.629 in.) MAX.
9 - 328 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
SOLID LIFTERS/TAPPETS (Continued)

(4) Lubricate the tappet with clean engine oil or
suitable equivalent and install the tappet to the
installation tool (Fig. 85).
(5) Pull the tappet up and into position (Fig. 85). If
difficulty is experienced getting the tappet to make
the turn into the tappet bore, wiggle the trough
whilegentlypulling up on the tappet.
(6) With the tappet in place, rotate the trough one
half turn so the open side is down (toward crank-
shaft) (Fig. 86).
(7) Remove the tappet installation tool from the
tappet.
(8) Re-install a dowel rod and secure the rod with
a rubber band.
(9) Rotate the trough one half turn and repeat the
procedure for the remaining tappets.
(10) Install the camshaft (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/CAMSHAFT & BEARINGS (IN
BLOCK) - INSTALLATION).PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION
PISTONS
The piston (Fig. 87) is constructed of aluminum
and is gravity cast, free floating design. The piston
incorporates a centrally located high swirl combus-
tion bowl, and utilizes a ªkeystoneº style top com-
pression ring (Fig. 88), and a ªTapered Faceº
intermediate ring (Fig. 88), for superior cylinder wall
scraping. Piston cooling nozzles cool the piston and
pin with engine oil supplied by the crankshaft main
journals. High horsepower pistons are gallery cooled
and utilize J-jet piston cooling nozzles.
Fig. 85 Insert Tool and Pull Tappet Into Place -
Typical
Fig. 86 Rotate Trough One Half Turn (180É) - Typical
Fig. 87 Piston - Typical
Fig. 88 Piston Ring Identification
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 329
SOLID LIFTERS/TAPPETS (Continued)

CONNECTING RODS
The connecting rods are a split angle design (Fig.
89). They have a pressed-in-place wrist pin bushing
that is lubricated by piston cooling nozzle oil spray.
There are two different types of connecting rods:
machined and fractured split. The main different
between the two styles is the surface finish on the
connecting rod split face.
Machined connecting rods can be identified by a
machined surface at the connecting rod and cap split
face. Machined connecting rods have numbers
stamped on the rod cap and connecting rod near the
parting line. The number stamped on the connecting
rod must match the number stamped on the rod cap
and be installed on the camshaft or intake side of the
engine.
Fractured split connecting rods are first manufac-
tured as a single piece and then fractured into two
pieces. Fractured split connecting rods can be identi-
fied by a rough and irregular surface at the connect-
ing rod split face. To properly assemble the rod cap to
the connecting rod, the bearing tangs on the connect-
ing rod and cap must be located on the same side of
the rod. The long end of the connecting rod must be
assembled on the intake or camshaft side of the
engine.
Measuring methods and specifications are common
between fractured split and machined connecting
rods.
Both fractures split and machined connecting rods
and caps are machined as an assembly and are not
interchangeable. If a connecting rod or cap is dam-
aged, the entire assembly must be replaced.
Machined and fractured split connecting rods cannot
be used in the same engine.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HEAD GASKET
SELECTION
(1) Measure piston protrusion for all six pistons.
(2) Calculate the average piston protrusion. Maxi-
mum allowable protrusion is 0.516 mm (0.020 inch).
NOTE: There are two different head gaskets avail-
able. One gasket is for Average piston protrusion
less than 0.30 mm (0.011 inch). The other gasket is
for Average piston protrusion greater than 0.30 mm
(0.011 inch)
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery cables.
(2) Remove the cylinder head (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the oil pan and suction tube (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove bolts and the block stiffener.(5) Using Miller Tool 7471-B crankshaft barring
tool, rotate the crankshaft so all of the pistons are
below TDC.
(6) Before removing the piston(s) from the bore(s):
(a) Remove any carbon ridge formations or
deposits at the top of the bore with a dull scraper
or soft wire brush.
(b) If cylinder bore wear ridges are found, use a
ridge reamer to cut the ridge from the bore. DO
NOT remove more metal than necessary to remove
the ridge.
(7) Remove the J-jet cooling nozzels, if equipped.
NOTE: If cylinders have ridges, the cylinders are
oversize and will more than likely need boring.
(8) Using a hammer and steel stamp, stamp the
cylinder number in the top of each piston. The front
of the piston is identified by a stamping on the top of
the piston. DO NOT stamp in the outside 5 mm (.197
in.) of the piston diameter. DO NOT stamp over the
piston pin.
(9) Mark the connecting rod and cap with the cor-
responding cylinder numbers.
(10) Remove the connecting rod bolts and rod caps.
Use care so the cylinder bores and connecting rods
are not damaged.
Fig. 89 Connecting Rod
9 - 330 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)

(11) Use a hammer handle or similar object to
push the piston and connecting rod through the cyl-
inder bore.
(12) Store the piston/rod assemblies in a rack.
CLEANINGÐPISTON AND CONNECTING ROD
CAUTION: DO NOT use bead blast to clean the pis-
tons. DO NOT clean the pistons and rods in an acid
tank.
PISTON
Clean the pistons and pins in a suitable solvent,
rinse in hot water and blow dry with compressed air.
Soaking the pistons over night will loosen most of the
carbon build up. De-carbon the ring grooves with a
broken piston ring and again clean the pistons in sol-
vent. Rinse in hot water and blow dry with com-
pressed air.
CONNECTING ROD
Clean the connecting rods in a suitable solvent,
rinse in hot water and blow dry with compressed air.
INSPECTION
INSPECTIONÐPISTONS
Inspect the pistons for damage and excessive wear.
Check top of the piston, ring grooves, skirt and pin
bore. Measure the piston skirt diameter (Fig. 90). If
the piston is out of limits, replace the piston.The upper groove only needs to be inspected for
damage. Use a new piston ring to measure the clear-
ance in the intermediate ring groove (Fig. 91). Mini-
mum clearance is 0.045 mm (0.0018 inch), maximum
clearance is 0.095 mm (.0037 inch). If the clearance
of the intermediate ring exceeds specifications,
replace the piston.
Use a new oil ring to measure the clearance in the
oil groove (Fig. 91). Minimum clearance is 0.040 mm
(0.0016 inch), maximum clearance is 0.085 mm
(.0033 inch). If the clearance exceeds specifications,
replace the piston.
Measure the pin bore (Fig. 92). The maximum
diameter is 40.012 mm (1.5753 inch), Minimum is
40.006 mm (1.575 inch). If the bore is over limits,
replace the piston.
Fig. 90 Piston Skirt Diameter
PISTON SKIRT DIAMETER (MIN.)
101.887 mm (4.011 in. )
Fig. 91 Intermediate and Oil Ring Clearances
1 - FEELER GAUGE
2 - RING
3 - PISTON
Fig. 92 Piston Pin Bore
1 - PISTON
2 - PIN BORE
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 331
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)

Inspect the piston pin for nicks, gouges and exces-
sive wear. Measure the pin diameter (Fig. 93). The
minimum diameter is 39.990 mm (1.5744 inch), max-
imum 40.003 mm (1.5749 inch). If the diameter is out
of limits, replace the pin.
INSPECTIONÐCONNECTING ROD
Inspect the connecting rod for damage and wear.
The I-Beam section of the connecting rod cannot have
dents or other damage. Damage to this part can
cause stress risers which will progress to breakage.
Measure the connecting rod pin bore (Fig. 94). The
maximum diameter is 40.042 mm (1.5765 inch), min-
imum diameter is 40.019 mm (1.5756 inch). If out of
limits, replace the connecting rod.
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate the cylinder bores with clean engine
oil.
(2) Generously lubricate the rings and piston
skirts with clean engine oil.(3) Compress the rings using a piston ring com-
pressor tool (Fig. 95). If using a strap-type ring com-
pressor, make sure the inside end of the strap does
not hook on a ring gap and break the ring.
(4) Bar the crankshaft so the rod journal for the
piston to be installed is at BDC (Bottom Dead Cen-
ter) - (Fig. 96).
(5) Make sure the front of the piston is oriented
properly according to the marking on the top of the
piston and the numbers on the rod and cap are ori-
ented as illustrated.
(6) Position the piston and rod assembly into the
cylinder bore with the front of the piston oriented
properly according to the stamping in the top of the
piston. In this position the numbers on the connect-
ing rod should be facing the intake or camshaft side
of the engine, and the rod bolt hex heads toward the
oil cooler. Use care when you install the piston and
connecting rod so the cylinder bore is not damaged. If
a fractured split connecting rod is being installed, the
long side of the connecting rod must be installed on
the intake side of the engine.
(7) Push the piston into the bore until the top of
the piston is approximately 50 mm (2 inch) below the
top of the block. Carefully pull the connecting rod
onto the crankshaft journal.
Fig. 93 Piston Pin Diameter
1 - PISTON PIN
Fig. 94 Connecting Rod Pin Bore
1 - CONNECTING ROD
Fig. 95 Piston Ring Compressor Tool
1 - PISTON RING COMPRESSOR TOOL
Fig. 96 Piston/Rod Assembly at BDC
9 - 332 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)

(8) Use clean engine oil to lubricate the threads
and under the heads of the connecting rod bolts.
(9)For machined connecting rods,the number
stamped on the rod cap at the parting line must
match and be installed towards the intake or cam-
shaft side of the engine (Fig. 97).For fractured/
split type connecting rods,the long end of the rod
must be installed towards the intake side of the
engine.
(a) The connecting rod split/face must face
toward the same side as the piston notch feature
on the skirt. The split face will face toward the oil
cooler side of the engine if properly installed.
(10) Install the rod cap and bolts to the connecting
rod. Tighten the connecting rod bolts evenly in 3
steps.
²Tighten the bolts to 30 N´m (22 ft. lbs.) torque.
²Tighten the bolts to 60 N´m (44 ft. lbs.) torque.
²Rotate 60É clockwise.
(11) The crankshaft must rotate freely. Check for
freedom of rotation as the caps are installed. If the
crankshaft does not rotate freely, check the installa-
tion of the rod bearing and the bearing size.
(12) Measure the side clearance between the con-
necting rod and the crankshaft (Fig. 98). DO NOT
measure the clearance between the cap and crank-
shaft.
(13) Install J-jet piston cooling nozzles if equipped.
(14) Install block stiffener. Torque to 43 N´m (32 ft.
lbs.).
(15) Install the suction tube and oil pan (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PAN - INSTALLA-
TION).(16) Install the cylinder head onto the engine
(Refer to 9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - INSTAL-
LATION).
(17) Install a new filter and fill the crankcase with
new engine oil.
(18) Connect the battery negative cables and start
engine.
PISTON RINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING
FITTING
(1) Determine the piston diameter and obtain the
appropriate ring set. The piston rings can be identi-
fied as shown in (Fig. 99).
Fig. 97 Correct Rod Cap Installation
Fig. 98 Side Clearance between Connecting
Rod/Crankshaft
1 - FEELER GAUGE
´Minimum 0.33 mm (.013 inch)
´MAX. 0.10mm (.004 inch)
Fig. 99 Piston Ring Identification
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 333
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)