2003 DODGE RAM bumper

STANDARD PROCEDURE - REAR FRAME
H-SECTION REPLACEMENT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
WARNING: USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN GRIND-
ING OR WELDING METAL, SERIOUS EYE INJURY
CAN RESULT.
²BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH FRAME REPAIR
INVOLVING GRINDING OR WELDING, VERIFY THAT
VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT LEAKING OR IN
CONTACT WITH REPAIR AREA, PERSONAL INJURY
CAN RESULT.
²DO NOT ALLOW OPEN FLAME OR HEAT AND
METAL SPATTER FROM ARC WELDING, TO CON-
TACT PLASTIC BODY PANELS. FIRE OR EXPLO-
SION CAN RESULT.
²WHEN WELDED FRAME COMPONENTS ARE
REPLACED, ENSURE COMPLETE PENETRATION
WELD IS ACHIEVED DURING INSTALLATION. IF
NOT, DANGEROUS OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN
RESULT.
²STAND CLEAR OF CABLES OR CHAINS ON
PULLING EQUIPMENT DURING FRAME STRAIGHT-
ENING OPERATIONS, PERSONAL INJURY CAN
RESULT.
²DO NOT VENTURE UNDER A HOISTED VEHI-
CLE THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED ON SAFETY
STANDS, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.
CAUTION: Do not reuse damaged fasteners, quality
of repair would be suspect. Failure to use only pro-
duction fasteners or fasteners of equivalent hard-
ness can result in loosening or failure. Do not drill
holes in top or bottom frame rail flanges, frame rail
failure can result. When using heat to straighten
frame components do not exceed 566ÉC (1050ÉF),
metal fatigue can result.
CAUTION: This procedure is designed to replace
the H-section/spare tire support located at the rear
of the frame assembly. Prior to any cutting, the
vehicle must be mounted on the appropriate frame
repair equipment (ªframe rackº), checked with three
dimensional measuring equipment, and the neces-
sary pull corrections made. If damage remains in
the frame beyond the area covered by this service
part after the pull, the frame must be replaced in its
entirety.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the cargo box. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EX-
TERIOR/CARGO BOX - REMOVAL)(3) Remove the trailer hitch. (Refer to 13 - FRAME
& BUMPERS/FRAME/TRAILER HITCH -
REMOVAL)
(4) Raise and support the frame so the tires are off
floor.
(5) Remove the shock absorbers. (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/REAR/SHOCK - REMOVAL)
(6) Remove the rear leaf spring shackle bolts and
let the axle rest on the ground. (Fig. 21)
(7) Remove the spare wheel.
(8) Remove the clip and remove the spare tire
winch tube. (Fig. 22)
Fig. 21 REAR SPRING
1 - SPRING SHACKLE
2 - LEAF SPRING EYE BOLT/NUT
3 - REAR LEAF SPRING
Fig. 22 SPARE TIRE WINCH TUBE
1 - SPARE TIRE WINCH ASSEMBLY
2 - HAIR PIN CLIP
3 - WINCH TUBE
4 - H-SECTION/SPARE WHEEL SUPPORT
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 15
FRAME (Continued)

(9) Remove the bolts and remove the spare tire
winch. (Fig. 23)
(10) Position the wire harness forward of the work
area.
CAUTION: Do not use any flame or plasma cutting
equipment to cut the frame in this procedure. The
inaccurate and high temperatures achieved during
flame or plasma cutting will change the metal char-
acteristics and may weaken the frame and/or repair
location.
(11) Carefully remove the H-section welds using a
grinder or equivalent tool.
(12) Remove the H-section and clean any remain-
ing welds from the frame.
(13) Trial fit the replacement part.
(14) Remove all e-coat from within 25 mm (1.0 in.)
of the weld area.
(15) Using the appropriate measuring equipment,
position the replacement part and verify correct posi-
tioning in all three (X,Y, and Z) planes of space.(Refer to 13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME - SPEC-
IFICATIONS - FRAME DIMENSIONS)
CAUTION: Shield the surrounding area and compo-
nents from exposure to the welding spatter and
heat.
(16) Weld the replacement H-section into position.
The welding should be performed in a skip (stitch)
type method to minimize the heat buildup following
I-CAR or the American Welding Society welding pro-
cedures and utilizing the process specifications at the
end of this section. Refer to the Weld Process Speci-
fications welding schedule below.
(17) Dress the welded area and apply corrosion
resistant coatings inside and out.
(a) Inside the rail, inject a creeping wax based
rust inhibitor compound through the existing holes
in the frame ensuring 100% coverage including the
mating face between the frame and replacement
H-section.
(b) Apply a durable top coat to the outside of the
repair area.
(18) Position the wiring harness back.
(19) Install the spare tire winch and install the
bolts. (Fig. 23)
(20) Tighten the bolts to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(21) Install the spare tire winch tube and install
the clip. (Fig. 22)
(22) Install the spare tire.
(23) Lift the axle into position and install the rear
shackle bolts. (Fig. 21)
(24) Tighten the bolts to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(25) Install the lower shock absorber bolts. (Refer
to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/SHOCK - INSTALLA-
TION)
(26) Install the trailer hitch. (Refer to 13 - FRAME
& BUMPERS/FRAME/TRAILER HITCH - INSTAL-
LATION)
(27) Install the cargo box. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EX-
TERIOR/CARGO BOX - INSTALLATION)
(28) Reconnect the battery ground.
Fig. 23 SPARE TIRE WINCH ASSEMBLY
1 - SPARE TIRE WINCH ASSEMBLY
2 - BOLTS
3 - RETAINER BRACKET
4 - H-SECTION/SPARE WHEEL SUPPORT
13 - 16 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

CAUTION:
All welds should conform to DaimlerChrysler vehicle engineering process standard ªps 9472º.
WELD PROCESS SPECIFICATIONS
WELDING PROCESS FLUX CORED ARC GAS METAL ARC (MIG)* SHIELDED METAL ARC
(STICK)
Material Thickness3.7 mm to 4.2 mm 3.7 mm to 4.2 mm 3.7 mm to 4.2 mm
Electrode TypeLincoln Electrical Co.
Product #: NR-211 MP
(Do Not Substitute)AWS ER70S-3
(Do Not Substitute)** AWS E 7018
Electrodes Size Inches.045 Tubular .035 Solid 3/329
Electrode Stick Out3/89- 1/291/29- 5/89N/A
PolarityElectrode9-9
Work Piece9+9Electrode9+9
Work Piece9-9Electrode9+9
Work Piece9-9
Shielding GasSelf Shielded 75% Ar
25% CO2Self Shielded
Gas Flow RateN/A 25 - 35 CFM N/A
Wire Feed Speed
(inches per minute)110 - 130 Vertical Down
70 - 90 Flat & Overhead245 - 250 Vertical Down
210 - 225 Flat &
OverheadN/A
Approximate Amperage
Vertical110 - 130 175 85 (3/329Diameter)
Flat & Overhead70 - 90 155 90 (3/329Diameter)
Voltage15-18 19-20 N/A
Direction of Welding
VerticalVertical Down Hill (only) Vertical Down Hill (only) Vertical - Up Hill (only)
Flat & OverheadFlat - Push or Drag Flat - Push or Drag Flat - Drag
*First choice - Gas Metal Arc Welding Process:
Butt joints - apply two layers (passes) of weld metal.
First pass should only fill approximately
1¤2the thick-
ness. Vertical position welds - maintain electrode
wire at leading edge of weld puddle while traveling
down hill to produce maximum penetration into the
sleeve. These techniques work for FCAW as well.
**E7018new electrodes may be exposed to the
atmosphere for up to ten hours with no harmful
effect. Reconditioning schedules should come from
the manufacturer.
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS - FRAME DIMENSIONS
NOTE: Frame dimensions are listed in metric scale.
All dimensions are from center to center of Princi-
pal Locating Point (PLP), or from center to center of
PLP and fastener location.
VEHICLE PREPARATION
Position the vehicle on a level work surface. Using
screw or bottle jacks, adjust the vehicle PLP heights
to the specified dimension above a level work surface.
Vertical dimensions can be taken from the work sur-
face to the locations indicated were applicable.
INDEX
DESCRIPTION FIGURE
Frame Dimensional Graphics, Side
And Top View24
140.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
2 Wheel Drive25
140.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
4 Wheel Drive26
160.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
2 Wheel Drive27
160.5 In Wheelbase - Heavy Duty -
4 Wheel Drive28
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 17
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 24 FRAME DIMENSIONS
13 - 18 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 25 140.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 2 WHEEL DRIVE
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 19
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 26 140.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 4 WHEEL DRIVE
13 - 20 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 27 160.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 2 WHEEL DRIVE
DRFRAMES & BUMPERS 13 - 21
FRAME (Continued)

Fig. 28 160.5 IN WHEELBASE - HEAVY DUTY - 4 WHEEL DRIVE
13 - 22 FRAMES & BUMPERSDR
FRAME (Continued)