Steering System - Power Dodge Ram Wagon B2500

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

The recirculating ball power steering system consists of steering gear, steering linkage, pressure and return fluid hoses and fittings, and a hydraulic steering pump with fluid reservoir.

The steering gear is a power assisted recirculating-ball type that acts as a rolling thread between worm shaft and rack piston. (Scheme 1) When worm shaft is turned, the rack piston moves and piston teeth mesh with sector shaft teeth, turning pitman arm, which turns steering linkage.

The steering linkage consists of pitman arm, idler arm(s), tie rods, center link and drag link (if equipped).

The power steering pump is a constant flow rate and displacement, vane-type pump. Pump is connected to steering gear by pressure and return hoses. On gasoline models, pump shaft has pressed on belt-driven pulley.

On diesel models, power steering pump is bolted onto rear of vacuum pump and is driven by a common shaft.

Scheme 1

TESTING

Note. Before testing, check fluid level, belt tension, pump pulley, tire pressure and engine idle speed.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM PRESSURE TEST

Note. Replacement fittings are required on Pressure Test Gauge(C-3309E) for adapting to "O" ring type hose tube ends.

Idle Pressure Test

1. Remove high pressure hose at steering pump and connect a spare hose to pump fitting. Connect opposite end of spare hose to Pressure Test Gauge (C-3309E). Connect pressure hose from valve side of steering gear to valve side of gauge. Valve must be installed on outlet side of gauge. (Scheme 2)
2. Fully open shutoff valve on test gauge. With a thermometer in fluid reservoir, start engine and warm fluid to 150-170°F (66-77°C). Turning wheels from stop-to-stop will aid in warming fluid. DO NOT hold wheels against stop.
3. With engine at idle and gauge valve open, check initial pressure. See «POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE TEST SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) table. If pressure is greater than 125 psi (8.8 kg/cm 2 ), check for restricted hoses or crimped lines.

POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE TEST SPECIFICATIONS

Scheme 2

Relief Pressure Test

1. Close gauge shutoff valve completely 3 times. Record highest pressure attained each time. All 3 readings must be greater than specifications and within 50 psi (3.5 kg/cm 2 ) of each other. See «POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE TEST SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) table. If pressures are not as specified, replace pump. See «POWER STEERING PUMP (GASOLINE)»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__power-steering-pump-gasoline) or «VACUUM/POWER STEERING PUMP (DIESEL)»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__vacuumpower-steering-pump-diesel) in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Open test valve and turn steering wheel to left and right stops. Record highest pressure attained at each stop. If output pressures are not equal against each stop, gear is leaking internally and must be replaced. See «STEERING GEAR R & I»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__steering-gear-r-i) in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Shut off engine, remove test gauge, and connect pressure hose.

CAPACITY

CAPACITY

FLUID TYPE

For additional information, refer to POWER STEERING FLUID USAGE .

Use Mopar Power Steering Fluid (4318055).

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

Check fluid level with engine cold and not running. Remove fluid level dipstick on pump reservoir. Dipstick should indicate FULL COLD with fluid temperature of 70-80°F (21-27°C). If needed, add fluid through dipstick opening, and recheck. DO NOT overfill.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING

Fill power steering pump reservoir to specified level. Start engine and slowly turn steering wheel to left and right but DO NOT contact steering stops in either direction. Stop engine. Inspect reservoir fluid level and add fluid if necessary. Bleeding process may have to be repeated several times to completely purge all air from system.

POWER STEERING PUMP BELT

Vehicles are equipped with dynamic tensioner. No adjustment is required.

POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY

After pulley installation, run the engine until warm. Refer to PUMP PULLEY under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If drive belt chirps, move pulley outward approximately .020" (0.5 mm). If noise increases, press pulley inward .040" (1.0 mm). Ensure pulley does not contact mounting bolts.

THRUST BEARING PRELOAD

Note. Manufacturer recommends removing steering gear from vehicle before performing any adjustments.

1. Remove steering gear from vehicle. See «STEERING GEAR R & I»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__steering-gear-r-i) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Ensure steering gear is empty of hydraulic fluid. Rotate steering from stop-to-stop several times to drain fluid. Loosen lock nut on adjuster plug. (Scheme 3) Using spanner wrench, rotate adjuster plug clockwise until plug is seated in housing. Torque will be approximately 20 ft. lbs. (27 N.m).
2. Place reference mark on steering gear housing adjacent to one hole in adjuster plug. Measure counterclockwise about 1/2" (13 mm) from reference mark and place a second reference mark on steering gear housing.
3. Rotate adjuster plug counterclockwise until hole in adjuster plug aligns with second mark on steering gear housing. Tighten lock nut on adjuster plug to 80 ft. lbs. (108 N.m). Ensure adjuster plug DOES NOT move while tightening lock nut.

Scheme 3

OVER-CENTER PRELOAD

Scheme 4

1. Loosen lock nut on sector shaft adjuster screw. (Scheme 4) Rotate stub shaft and count turns required to go from stop-to-stop. Turn stub shaft back 1/2 number of turns to center steering gear.
2. Rotate sector shaft adjuster screw counterclockwise until fully extended, then turn clockwise one full turn. Attach INCH-lb. torque wrench to end of stub shaft. Position torque wrench handle in a vertical position. Rotate stub shaft 45 degrees from vertical position in each direction, and record highest reading. (Scheme 4)
3. Turn adjuster in until torque required to turn stub shaft is 6-10 INCH lbs. (0.7-1.1 N.m) more than reading in step 2). Hold adjuster screw, and tighten lock nut to 20 ft. lbs. (27 N.m).

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

POWER STEERING PUMP (GASOLINE)

Removal

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. To remove serpentine belt, rotate tensioner clockwise and hold in place, slide belt from tensioner pulley. Place drain pan under pump. Disconnect and cap hoses.
2. Remove bracket-to-engine block bolts. Remove pump, pulley and mounting bracket as an assembly. To allow access to pump screws, remove pump pulley. See «PUMP PULLEY»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__pump-pulley) . Remove bracket-to-pump screws.

Installation

To install pump, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING in LUBRICATION.

VACUUM/POWER STEERING PUMP (DIESEL)

Note. Steering pump housing and spacers must mate completely with vacuum pump bracket.

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Place drip pan under vacuum/power steering pump. Disconnect and cap power brake booster hose at vacuum pump and hydraulic lines at power steering pump. Disconnect oil pressure sending unit electrical connector. Remove sending unit from engine block and plug hole in block. Disconnect and cap oil feed line from bottom of vacuum pump.
2. Remove vacuum/power steering pump-to-engine block nuts and bolts, and mounting bracket. Remove upper pump bolt and remove pump. Drain fluid from steering pump reservoir. Remove gaskets from mounting surfaces.
3. Remove steering pump-to-vacuum pump bracket bolts. Carefully slide steering pump from bracket. Remove 2 pump body spacers. (Scheme 5)

Scheme 5

1. Install 2 pump body spacers and rotate drive gear until steering pump and vacuum pump drive splines align. (Scheme 5) Carefully install steering pump on vacuum pump bracket to prevent damaging oil seal.
2. Install 3 vacuum pump bracket-to-steering pump nuts and tighten to 18 ft. lbs. (24 N.m). Using silicone sealer if needed, position NEW gaskets on mounting surfaces.
3. Ensuring steering pump stud is inserted into block bracket, align and install pump assembly. Tighten pump assembly-to-engine block bolts to 57 ft. lbs. (77 N.m). Install steering pump-to-bracket nut. Tighten nut to 18 ft. lbs. (24 N.m).
4. Remove plug from engine block and install oil sending unit. Tighten sending unit to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m) and install electrical connector. Install oil feed line to vacuum pump and tighten to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system. See «HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__hydraulic-system-bleeding) in LUBRICATION. Start engine. Ensure brakes are operating properly.

PUMP PULLEY

Removal & Installation (Gasoline)

Remove power steering pump from vehicle if necessary. Refer to POWER STEERING PUMP (GASOLINE). Using Puller (C-4333), remove pump pulley. (Scheme 6) Replace pulley if bent, cracked or loose. Using Installer (C-4063-B), press pulley until flush with end of shaft. If drive belt chirps after engine starts, see POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY in ADJUSTMENTS.

Scheme 6

PUMP RESERVOIR

Note. If expansion plug is deformed or dislodged, DO NOT remove it. Replace pump housing.

1. Remove pump from vehicle. See POWER STEERING PUMP. Remove filler cap and drain oil from reservoir before removing parts. Remove 2 studs and fitting from back of pump. (Scheme 7)
2. Rock reservoir by hand or tap with soft-faced mallet to remove it. Remove "O" ring from housing and reservoir. Remove flow control valve and spring from rear of pump housing. (Scheme 8) Clean all parts.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Use NEW "O" ring and seals. Apply power steering fluid to new seals. Install flow control valve. Tighten flow control valve fitting to 55 ft. lbs. (75 N.m). Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Add power steering fluid. DO NOT use ATF. Bleed hydraulic system. Refer to HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING in LUBRICATION.

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

STEERING GEAR R & I

1. Place wheels in straight-ahead position. Place drain pan under steering gear assembly. Disconnect and cap pressure and return hoses from steering gear. Disconnect steering column shaft coupling from steering gear stub shaft.
2. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect steering linkage (center link) from pitman arm. (Scheme 9) Disconnect stabilizer bar (if necessary). Place reference mark on pitman arm and sector shaft. Remove nut and pitman arm from sector shaft. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts. Remove steering gear.

1. Install steering gear with bolts finger tight. Center steering gear and align stub shaft with steering column. Install steering column shaft coupling bolt and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) .
2. Reposition steering gear to eliminate binding and tighten bolts to specification. Install pitman arm on sector shaft with reference marks aligned. Install lock washer and nut. Tighten nut to specification.
3. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure. Fill pump reservoir. Bleed air from hydraulic system. See «HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power__hydraulic-system-bleeding) in LUBRICATION.

SECTOR SHAFT OIL SEAL

1. Raise and support vehicle. Place wheels in straight-ahead position. Disconnect steering linkage (center link) from pitman arm. Disconnect stabilizer bar (if necessary).
2. Place reference mark on pitman arm and sector shaft. Remove nut and pitman arm from sector shaft. Place drain pan under steering gear. Remove retaining ring and steel washer. (Scheme 1)
3. Start engine and momentarily hold steering wheel in extreme left-turn position. When pressure develops, this should force upper oil seal, steel washer and lower oil seal from steering gear housing. Stop engine and remove seals.

1. Ensure seal bore of steering gear is free of burrs and sector shaft is free of pitting or roughness. Lubricate replacement seals and steel washers with power steering fluid.
2. Wrap sector shaft with plastic tape or .005" (.13 mm) thick shim stock. Install upper oil seal (single lip seal) and steel washer first. Oil seal must be installed only deep enough to allow for remaining oil seal, steel washer and retaining ring.
3. Install lower oil seal (double lip seal) and steel washer. Oil seal must be installed only deep enough to allow for steel washer and retaining ring. Remove tape or shim stock and install retaining ring.
4. Install pitman arm on sector shaft with reference marks aligned. Install lock washer and nut. Tighten nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) .
5. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure. Fill pump reservoir. Allow engine to idle for at least 3 minutes. DO NOT turn wheels during this time. Rotate wheels both directions and check for leaks. Refill pump reservoir.

Separate tie rods, idler arm, steering and drag link (if equipped) from center link. Remove center link. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts to specification.

Scheme 9

Remove cotter pins and drag link nuts. Using Separator (C-4150), separate drag link from steering knuckle or center link and pitman arm. Remove drag link. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install cotter pins.

Remove cotter pin and nut from idler arm. Separate idler arm from center link. Remove idler arm bolts. Remove idler arm. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install new cotter pin.

PITMAN ARM

1. Remove cotter pin and nut at pitman arm-to-center link or drag link. Separate pitman arm from center link or drag link. Mark location of pitman arm on steering gear shaft. Remove pitman arm-to-steering gear shaft nut. Separate pitman arm from steering gear.
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure reference marks are aligned. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. Install NEW cotter pin.

TIE ROD END

Note. Use Tie Rod End Puller (C-3894-A) to prevent tie rod end seal damage.

Remove cotter pin and nut from tie rod end. Using Tie Rod End Puller (C-3894-A), remove tie rod end from steering knuckle or center link. Loosen lock nut or clamp bolt. Remove tie rod end. Note number of turns required for removal.

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure tie rod end is installed at same location. Position clamp sleeve with bolt located on bottom. Clamp opening should be aligned with slot in sleeve.
2. Tighten the tie rod end nut to specification. Install a NEW cotter pin. Check and adjust toe-in. Refer to the appropriate «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures) article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT section. Tighten clamp bolt to specification. Refer to the «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/ram-wagon-b2500/1997-1998/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) table.

POWER STEERING PUMP OVERHAUL

Note. If expansion plug is deformed or dislodged, DO NOT remove it. Replace pump housing.

Only fluid reservoirs, caps, pulleys, "O" rings, seals and flow control valve are replaceable on pump. (Scheme 7)and (Scheme 8). Internal components are non-serviceable. If internal components fail, replace pump. Replace reservoir, or "O" ring and seals if damaged.

STEERING GEAR OVERHAUL

Note. Manufacturer does not recommend overhaul of steering. If faulty, replace steering gear as an assembly.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
• POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE TEST SPECIFICATIONS
• POWER STEERING PUMP (GASOLINE)
• VACUUM/POWER STEERING PUMP (DIESEL)
• STEERING GEAR R & I
• PUMP PULLEY
• HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING
• POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY