Steering Columns Dodge Ram Van II

DESCRIPTION

All models use collapsible steering columns. All columns have integral ignition switch and locking device. Optional tilt wheel is available with both A/T and M/T. Transmission shift linkage is integral on all models except those with floor shift.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

Scheme 1

1. Disconnect battery negative cable. On models with column shift, disconnect link rod(s) by prying rod from grommet in shift lever. Remove steering shaft lower coupling to worm shaft roll pin. (Scheme 1) (Scheme 1): Exploded View of A/T Steering Column Van is shown. Pickup is similar.
2. Disconnect wiring connectors at column jacket. Removev steering wheel center pad (or horn switch) and steering wheel See «STEERING WHEEL & HORN REMOVAL»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/horns/#steering-wheel-horn-removal) article. NOTE: DO NOT bump or hammer on steering shaft to remove steering wheel.
3. Remove turn signal lever. Remove floor plate-to-floor pan attaching screws. Remove cluster bezel and panel lower reinforcement to expose steering column bracket. If equipped with A/T, disconnect shift indicator pointer cable from shift housing.
4. On all models, remove nuts attaching steering column bracket to instrument panel support. Carefully remove lower coupling from steering gear worm shaft.
5. Steering shaft may be equipped with either flexible coupling or a "Pot" coupling. Remove column assembly out through passenger compartment.

Installation

1. Install ground clip on left capsule slot. Plastic capsules should be preassembled in bracket slot. Insert column through floor pan opening. With front wheels straight-ahead and splines on wormshaft and coupling aligned, engage coupling and install roll pin. CAUTION: DO NOT apply end load to steering shaft.
2. Hold column assembly with bracket slots on mounting studs. Loosely install 2 upper bracket washers and nuts. Be sure both capsules are fully seated in slots in support bracket and tighten nuts. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications) .
3. Position floor plate over floor pan opening, centering it around column, then install retaining bolts. Place steering wheel on shaft with splines aligned. Install and tighten nut. Refer to the «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications) table. DO NOT drive wheel onto shaft, draw it down with retaining nut.
4. Install horn switch and connect wiring connector at column jacket. Before connecting link rod to column shift lever, a new grommet MUST be installed.
5. If equipped with A/T, connect gearshift indicator pointer cable to indicator bracket. Slowly move shift lever from "LOW" (1) to "PARK", pausing briefly at each position.
6. If necessary, bend indicator bracket to align pointer with each position. Reinstall panel lower reinforcement and cluster bezel. Connect battery negative cable and test horn and lights.

RWD MODELS (FLOOR SHIFT)

The steering column with a floor mounted gearshift is basically same as previously described. Standard columns and service procedures are identical except as described below.

1. Lower steering shaft bearing is mounted in an aluminum support.
2. A spring is attached between shift housing and column jacket.

This spring keeps housing rotated counterclockwise against rubber bumper. (Scheme 2)

Exploded View of Floor Shift Steering Column Pickup model is shown. Van is similar. Scheme 2

Scheme 3

1. Pry out wiring trough retainers and lift off trough. New retainers may be required for reassembly. Use masking tape to protect paint and a deep socket to back-up housing and drive retaining roll pin out with a punch to remove shift lever.
2. Secure column in vise by clamping at column bracket. DO NOT distort column. Remove turn signal switch and upper bearing retaining screws. Remove retainer and lift switch upward out of way.
3. Remove retaining screw and lift ignition key lamp assembly out of way. Remove snap ring from upper end of steering shaft. Remove screws attaching bearing housing to lock housing. NOTE: Screws attaching bearing housing to lock housing must be removed before steering shaft removal.
4. Remove bearing housing from shaft. Remove coil spring and lock plate from shaft. Remove shaft through lower end of column.
5. Remove 2 retaining screws and lock lever guide plate. This will expose lock cylinder release hole. Place cylinder in "LOCK" position and remove key.
6. Insert a small diameter screwdriver or similar tool into lock cylinder release hole. Push in to release spring-loaded lock retainer. At same time, pull lock cylinder from housing bore. Remove 3 retaining screws and ignition switch assembly. (Scheme 3) (Scheme 3): Removing Lock Cylinder Cylinder must be in lock position.
7. Grasp lock lever and spring assembly and pull straight out of housing. Remove 4 lock housing-to-column jacket hex head retaining screws and remove housing from jacket.
8. Loosen shift tube set screw, in shaft housing, from column shift models with A/T. Remove shift tube through lower end of jacket. Remove floor plate and grommet from jacket.
9. To disassemble flexible coupling, remove 4 bolts and 2 cross straps. Remove flexible coupling. "Pot" coupling is removed by prying cover tangs from coupling body and lifting seal and cover from body. Drive dowel pin down into coupling and discard. Pull body off shaft and shoe assembly. (Scheme 4)and (Scheme 5).

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

1. During reassembly, coat all friction surfaces with multipurpose grease. Clamp column in vise so that both ends of column are accessible.
2. Check column tube-to-mandrel rivets for tightness. If replacement is necessary, use 3/8" diameter by 3/4" long (3/8" grip) steel blind rivets. DO NOT use aluminum rivets.
3. Install floor plate and grommet on lower end of jacket. On models with A/T, position gearshift housing on column jacket. Install dust seal and shift tube support on shift tube. Slide the shift tube into the jacket.
4. Guide key on upper end of tube into slot in gearshift housing. Position crossover load spring and shift lever in gearshift housing and tap pivot pin into place. Install shift lever gate on lock the housing.
5. Place shift lever in mid position and seat lock housing on top of jacket by indexing keyway in housing with slot in jacket. Install housing-to-jacket screws and tighten alternately. Refer to the «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications) table. Install A/T indicator bracket.
6. Grease and assemble 2 lock levers, lock lever spring and pin. Install assembly into lock housing. Seat pin firmly in bottom of slots. Ensure that lock lever spring leg is firmly in place in lock casting notch. (Scheme 6) (Scheme 6): Installing Lock Lever and Spring Assembly Lock lever spring must be fully seated in casting notch.
7. Install lock lever guide plate and retaining screws. Turn ignition to "OFF" (center detent) position. Place hand lever in "PARK" position. Feed wires down through space between housing and jacket. Position switch in housing and tighten mounting screws. Refer to the «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications) table.
8. To install ignition lock, turn key to "LOCK" position and remove key. Lock cylinder will move inward and a spring loaded retainer will snap into place, locking cylinder into housing.
9. Fill coupling body 1/4" full with multipurpose grease and place cover and seal on shaft. Press shoe pin into steering shaft so it protrudes an equal distance on each side of shaft.
10. Place spring on side of shaft so that it straddles shoe pin. Place shoes on pin ends with flat side toward spring, engaging tangs. Squeeze shoes together and push assembly into coupling body.
11. Align master spline mark of coupling body with master spline on upper shaft. Drive in a new dowel pin flush to coupling body outer surface. Position seal and cover on body and crimp cover tangs on body.
12. Move shaft in and out of "Pot" body several times to distribute lubricant. Install bearing support (floor shift), bearing and spring on steering shaft and insert steering shaft into column assembly.
13. Install lock plate and new groove pin on steering shaft. Ensure pin is centered. Install steering column shaft lock plate sleeve over shaft lock plate pin and against lock plate.
14. Install bearing lower snap ring on steering shaft. Install coil spring on "B" models. Install ignition key lamp assembly in bearing housing. Place rubber insulator with grounding staple over column upper bearing and install into bearing housing bore.
15. Use soap solution or rubber lubricant to ease installation. Install turn signal switch in bearing housing. Feed turn signal switch and ignition key lamp wires through opening in housing.
16. Install retaining plate over switch and tighten screws. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications). Install turn signal/speed control lever on turn signal switch. If speed control, feed wires through opening provided in bearing housing.
17. Position housing assembly on steering shaft, feeding wires through space between housing and jacket. Install bearing and snap ring on shaft.
18. Install bearing housing-to-lock housing screws and tighten. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications). Install wiring trough in place over wires, being careful not to pinch wires. Install new retainers if required.

Scheme 7

1. Remove steering wheel and column from vehicle. Remove bracket assembly-to-column jacket bolts. Remove wiring protector from jacket. Attach Holding Fixture (C 4132) to jacket and mount column in vise.
2. Remove tilt lever and turn signal or speed control lever. Push hazard warning knob in and unscrew to remove. Remove ignition key lamp assembly. Move tilt mechanism to full down tilt. Carefully remove plastic cover from lock plate.
3. Depress lock plate with finger and pry ring from groove with screwdriver. Remove lock plate, canceling cam and upper bearing spring. Remove three turn signal switch screws, place shift bowl in "LOW" (1) position.
4. Tie up wires and connectors to prevent snagging, remove switch and wiring. To remove lock cylinder, place in "LOCK" position. Insert a thin tool into slot next to switch mounting screw boss (right hand slot) and depress spring latch at bottom of slot to remove lock.
5. Remove housing cover screws and remove housing cover. Reinstall tilt lever and place column in full upward position. Remove tilt spring retainer with a Phillips screwdriver.
6. Insert screwdriver in opening and press in 3/16". Turn about 1/8 turn counterclockwise until ears align with groove in housing and remove spring and guide.
7. Push upper steering shaft in sufficiently to remove steering shaft inner race seat and inner race. Turn ignition to "ACC" position and remove.
8. Place Pivot Pin Remover (C 4016) over pivot pin, thread small portion of screw into pin. Hold screw in position, turn nut clockwise and remove pivot pin from support. Remove opposite pivot pin. Use tilt release lever to disengage lock shoes.
9. Remove bearing housing by pulling upward to extend rack fully. Move housing to left to disengage rack from actuator. Remove actuator assembly. Remove roll pin and coupling assembly from lower end of steering shaft.
10. Remove shaft from upper end of column. Disassemble steering shaft by removing center spheres and anti-lash springs. Remove bolts securing support to lock plate and remove support from end of column jacket. If needed remove attaching screws and shift gate from support.
11. Using screwdriver remove shift tube retaining ring and thrust washer. With a small screwdriver disengage plastic shift tube support from lower end of jacket.
12. Remove the shift tube from bowl using Puller (C 4120). Insert bushing on end of tool in shift tube and force tube from bowl. (Scheme 7) (Scheme 7): Removing Shift Tube from Bowl on Tilt Wheel Do not hammer or pull on shift tube.
13. Remove shift tube from jacket at lower end. Remove lock plate by sliding from jacket notches and tapping down toward hub at 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening.
14. Remove wave washer and bowl from jacket. Remove shift lever spring from bowl by winding spring up with pliers and pulling out. Remove tilt lever opening shield and turn signal lever opening shield from housing.
15. Remove lock bolt spring by removing spring retaining screw and moving spring clockwise. Remove snap ring from sector drive shaft. Use a small punch to tap drive shaft from sector. Remove drive shaft, sector and bolt.
16. Remove rack and spring, and also shim if one is used. Using a punch and hammer remove tilt release lever pin. Remove lever and release lever spring.
17. To relieve load on release lever, hold shoes inward and wedge block between top of shoes (over slots) and bearing housing. Remove lock shoe pin with punch and hammer, remove lock shoes and lock shoe springs.

Note. DO NOT remove bearings from housing unless they are to be replaced. Never reuse old bearings.

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

1. Install bearings in housing, if removed. Install lock shoe springs, lock shoes and shoe pin. Use a rod about.180" diameter to line up shoes. With tilt lever opening on left side, and shoes facing up, 4 slot shoe is on left.
2. Install spring, release lever and pin in bearing housing. Relieve load on release lever as outlined in step 17) of disassembly procedure. Install drive shaft and tap sector on shaft far enough to install snap ring. Install lock bolt and engage with sector cam surface.
3. Install rack and spring. Block tooth on rack must engage block tooth on sector. Install external tilt release lever, bolt spring and retainer. Install shift lever spring in bowl by winding up with pliers and pushing in.
4. Slide bowl into jacket, install wave washer and lock plate. Work lock plate into notches in jacket and carefully install shift tube in lower end of jacket.
5. Align key in tube with keyway in bowl and use Puller (C 4119) to pull tube into bowl. (Scheme 8) Install thrust washer and retaining ring by pulling bowl up to compress wave washer. DO NOT push hard or tap on end of tube. (Scheme 8): Installing Shift Tube on Models With Tilt Wheel Align key in tube with keyway in bowl.
6. Install support by aligning "V" notch in support with notch in jacket, and install retaining screws. Install lower bearing at end of shift tube. Locate about 3/16" inside tube (use lubricant to ease installation).
7. Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring in upper steering shaft and lower steering shaft from same side of spheres that spring ends protrude. (Scheme 9): Exploded View of Tilt Wheel Column Upper Half (Typical)
8. Ensure double coupling assembly master serration of upper shaft will align with master serration of pot coupling. Place housing in full upward position, install guide, tilt spring and tilt spring retainer using screwdriver.
9. Turn retainer clockwise to engage. Install steering shaft in shift tube from upper end. Place ignition switch actuator rod through bowl from bottom and insert slot in support.
10. Extend rack downward from bearing housing, assemble housing over steering shaft, and engage rack over end of actuator rod. Install external tilt release lever.
11. While holding lock shoes in disengaged position, assemble bearing housing over steering shaft until pivot pin holes line up. Install pivot pins.
12. With housing in full upward position, install guide. Ensure there is grease between guide and peg on support, tilt spring and spring retainer. Using a screwdriver in retainer slot, turn retainer clockwise to engage.
13. Install bearing inner race and tilt lever opening shield. Remove tilt release lever, install housing cover and tighten screws. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications). Install signal switch wires and connector.
14. Push hazard warning plunger in, install switch and tighten screws. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications). Install hazard warning knob and pull out. Install canceling cam spring, canceling cam and shift lock plate.
15. Using Depressor (C 4156), depress shift lock plate and install new retaining ring. (Scheme 10) Install tilt release lever and turn signal switch lever. To install ignition lock, turn key to "LOCK" position and remove key. (Scheme 10): Installing Lock Plate Retaining Ring Depress lock plate for access to retaining ring groove.
16. Insert cylinder into housing enough to contact switch actuator. Press inward to move switch actuator rod up and down to align parts. When aligned, cylinder will move inward and spring loaded retainer will snap into place.
17. When replacing ignition switch, position key cylinder in "ACC" detent (full counterclockwise).
18. Spring loaded position at one end is "START" position. Top place switch in "ACC" position, move slider to extreme opposite end. Fit actuator rod into slide hole and assemble loosely to column.
19. Push switch lightly down column to remove lash in actuator rod and tighten mounting screws. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications). DO NOT move switch out of detent position. Install wire protector over wires on column jacket.
20. Remove column from vise. Remove holding fixture. Position bracket assembly on steering column. Tighten the retaining bolts. See the «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-van/ii-1979-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications) table. Align master splines and install coupling assembly on steering shaft. Drive in retaining roll pin. Install column and steering wheel.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• STEERING WHEEL & HORN REMOVAL
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS