2006 DODGE RAM SRT-10 wheel alignment

INSUFFICIENT ASST. OR POOR RETURN TO CENTER
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
HARD TURNING OR MOMENTARY
INCREASE IN TURNING EFFORT1. Tire pressure. 1. Adjust tire pressure.
2. Low fluid level. 2. Fill to proper level.
3. Loose belt. 3. Adjust or replace.
4. Low pump pressure. 4. Pressure test and repair as
necessary.
5. Internal gear leak. 5. Replace gear.
STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT
WANT TO RETURN TO CENTER
POSITION1. Tire pressure. 1. Adjust tire pressure.
2. Wheel alignment. 2. Align front end.
3. Lack of lubrication. 3. Inspect and lubricate suspension
components.
4. High friction in steering gear. 4. Replace gear.
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. Replace gear.
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.
5. Steering gear valve bias. 5. Replace steering gear.
POWER STEERING FLOW AND PRESSURE
The following procedure is used to test the operation
of the power steering system on the vehicle. This test
will provide the gallons per minute (GPM) or flow rate
of the power steering pump along with the maximum
relief pressure. Perform 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
functioning properly. The following pressure and flow
test is performed using Power Steering Analyzer Tool
kit 6815 and Adapter Kit 6893.

10. Remove the rack & pinion (2) from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Before installing gear inspect bushings and replace if worn or damaged.
NOTE: In the frame there are two holes for the mounting of the steering gear,oneisslottedandoneis
round. When tightening the gear to specificationsmakesuretotightenthemounting bolt with the hole first
to avoid movement of the steering gear.
1. Install the gear on the front crossmember and
tighten the mounting bolts (2) to 319 Nꞏm (235 ft.
lbs.)LD torque specification.Ortightenthe
mounting bolts to 251 Nꞏm (185 ft. lbs.)4X2 HD
torque specification.
2. Slide the shaft coupler onto the gear. Installnewpinch bolt and tighten to 49 Nꞏm (36 ft. lbs.).
3. Clean and dry the tie rod end studs and the knuckle tapers.
4. Install the tie rod ends into the steering knuckles and tighten the nuts to61Nꞏm(45ft.lbs.)thenanadditional
90°. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/TIE ROD END - INSTALLATION).
5. Install the pressure power steering hose to the steering gear and tightento32Nꞏm(23ft.lbs.).(Referto19-
STEERING/PUMP/HOSES - INSTALLATION).
6. Install the return power steering hose to the steering gear and tighten to50Nꞏm(37ft.lbs.)LD torque spec-
ification. Or tighten the mounting bolts to 54 Nꞏm (40 ft. lbs.)4X2 HD torque specification.(Referto19-
STEERING/PUMP/HOSES - INSTALLATION).
7. Install the front skid plate (Refer to 13 - FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/FRONT SKID PLATE - INSTALLATION).
8. Install the tire and wheel assembly (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS -STANDARD PROCEDURE).
9. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
10. Fill the system with fluid, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
11. Adjust the toe position. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

BUSHING
REMOVAL
1. Remove the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
CAUTION: Do not overtighten the vise on the gear case.
2. Mount the steering gear in a soft jawed vise.
NOTE: If the bushings are seized a brass punch can be used to remove the bushings from the gear using
care not to strike the gear.
3. Remove the front mounting bushings.
4. Remove the rear mounting bushings.
5. Remove the steering gear from the vise and place it on the bench.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Coat all bushings with a thin rubber lubricate oil prior to installation.
NOTE: A rubber mallet can be used to assist in the installation of the bushings once lubricated.
1. Coat the rear bushings with a thin rubber lubricate oil then install the rear bushings using a rubber mallet to seat
the bushings in the gear.
2. Coat the front bushings with a thin rubber lubricate oil then install thefront bushings using a rubber mallet to seat
the bushings in the gear.
3. Install the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
4. Adjust the toe position (if necessary) (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).

INSTALLATION
1. Position the steering gear (1) the frame rail and
install the three mounting bolts (2). Tighten the
mounting bolts to 196 Nꞏm (145 ft. lbs.).
2. Align steering coupler (1) on gear shaft (2). Install
pinch bolt and tighten to 49 Nꞏm (36 ft. lbs.) torque.
3. Align and install the pitman arm (5) (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLA-
TION).
4. Install the washer and retaining nut (4) on the pit-
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 305 Nꞏm (225 ft. lbs.).
5. Connect fluid hoses to steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES- INSTALLATION), tighten to 32
Nꞏm (23 ft. lbs.).
6. Add fluid, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
7. Reset the toe and center the steering wheel (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEELALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).

7. Install pitman shaft protective seal protector 8993
(2)overtheshaft.
8. Install the pitman shaft into the steering gear until it
fully seats into the bearing.
9. Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68 Nꞏm
(50 ft. lbs.).
10. Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
DIESEL
NOTE: Generous amounts of the high temperature
grease from the seal kit should be applied to areas
between the pitman shaft bearing and oil seals
and also between the dust seals and snap ring.
1. Coat the oil seal and washer withhigh temp
grease.
NOTE: Install the oil seal with the lip facing
inward. Flat side of the oil seal should be against
the washer.
2. Install the oil seal with pitman shaft seal installer
8989 driver (2) and C-4171 handle (1).
3. Install backup washer.
4. Install the retainer ring with snap ring pliers.
5. Coat the dust seal withhigh temp grease.
6. Install the dust seal with pitman shaft seal installer 8989 driver (2) andC-4171handle(1).
7. Install pitman shaft protective seal protector 8993
(2)overtheshaft(1).
8. Install the pitman shaft into the steering gear until it
fully seats into the bearing.
9. Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68 Nꞏm
(50 ft. lbs.).
10. Install the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
11. Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
12. Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).

7. Install the input shaft seal protector 8986 (2).
8. Coat the new seal inhigh temp greaseand Install
the new oil seal using the input shaft seal installer
tool 8987 driver (2) and C-4171 handle (3).
NOTE: Drive the oil seal into the housing until the
outer edge does not quite clear the snap ring
groove.
9. Insert the snap ring into the housing. Using the
input shaft seal installer 8987 driver (2) and C-4171
handle (3) push the snap ring and oil seal together
until the snap ring seats in the groove.
NOTE: Generous amounts of the high temperature
grease from the seal kit should be applied to areas
between the pitman shaft bearing and oil seals
and also between the dust seals and snap ring.
10. Install the new dust seal usinghigh temp grease, special tool C-4171 (handle) (3) and 8987 (driver) (2).
11. Check to make sure the gear is centered in the
middle tooth (1) before installing the pitman shaft.
12. Install the pitman shaft into the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR/PITMAN SHAFT - INSTALLA-
TION).
13. Perform over-center meshload adjustment (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR- ADJUSTMENTS).
14. Install the steering gear to the vehicle (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
15. Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

7. Remove the pitman shaft cover (3) bolts.
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing
if it is not centered.
8. Remove the pitman shaft (1) from the gear.
9. Remove the cover (3) if needed by loosing the
adjuster nut (4). Then removing the cover from the
pitman shaft.
INSTALLATION
GAS
1. Coat the seal withpower steering fluid.
2. Install pitman shaft (1) into the steering gear until it
fully seats into the bearing.
3. Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68 Nꞏm
(50 ft. lbs.).
4. Perform over-center meshload adjustment, (Refer
to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
5. Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
6. Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2- SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

DIESEL
1. Coat the seal withpower steering fluid.
2. Install the pitman shaft (1) into the steering gear
until it fully seats into the bearing.
3. Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68 Nꞏm
(50 ft. lbs.).
4. Perform over-center meshload adjustment (Refer to
19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
5. Install the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
6. Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
7. Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2- SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).