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Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Adjustments RAM Pickup 2500

Suspension Front 3 illustrations ~1293 words

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PRE-ALIGNMENT INSPECTION

Before starting wheel alignment, the following inspection and necessary corrections must be completed. Refer to SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS table for additional information.

  1. Inspect tires for size, air pressure and tread wear.
  2. Inspect front wheel bearings for wear.
  3. Inspect front wheels for excessive radial or lateral runout and balance.
  4. Inspect ball studs, linkage pivot points and steering gear for looseness, roughness or binding.
  5. Inspect suspension components for wear and noise.
  6. Road test the vehicle.
CONDITIONPOSSIBLE CAUSESCORRECTION
FRONT END NOISE1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.3. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Loose or worn steering gear.3. Replace steering gear.
FRONT WHEELS SHIMMY1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Tires worn or out of balance.3. Replace or balance tires.
4. Alignment.4. Align vehicle to specifications.
VEHICLE INSTABILITY1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Tire pressure.3. Adjust tire pressure.
4. Alignment.4. Align vehicle to specifications.
EXCESSIVE STEERING EFFORT1. Loose or worn steering gear.1. Replace steering gear.
2. Column coupler binding.2. Replace coupler.
3. Tire pressure.3. Adjust tire pressure.
4. Alignment.4. Align vehicle to specifications.
VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE1. Tire pressure.1. Adjust tire pressure.
2. Tire.2. Crisscross Front Tires.
3. Alignment.3. Align vehicle to specifications.
4. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.4. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
5. Radial tire lead.5. Rotate or replace tire as necessary.
6. Brake pull.6. Repair brake as necessary.
7. Weak or broken spring.7. Replace spring.

SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

Scheme 15

Scheme 15: ALIGNMENT - RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM
Scheme 15: ALIGNMENT - RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM

Camber and caster angle adjustments involve changing the position of the lower control arm (2) with the slots in the frame brackets (1). Vehicle should be at normal ride height.

TOE ADJUSTMENT

The wheel toe position adjustment is the final adjustment.

Scheme 16

Scheme 16: TOE ADJUSTMENT
Scheme 16: TOE ADJUSTMENT
  1. Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
  2. Loosen the tie rod jam nuts (1). NOTE: Each front wheel should be adjusted for one-half of the total toe position specification. This will ensure the steering wheel will be centered when the wheels are positioned straight-ahead.
  3. Adjust the wheel toe position by turning the inner tie rod (2) as necessary.
  4. Tighten the tie rod jam nut (1) to 127 N.m (94 ft. lbs.). Make sure the toe setting does not change during tightening.
  5. Verify the specifications.
  6. Road test the vehicle.

Scheme 17

Scheme 17: ALIGNMENT - RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING SYSTEM
Scheme 17: ALIGNMENT - RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING SYSTEM
1 - BRACKET REINFORCEMENT
2 - ADJUSTING BOLT
3 - ADJUSTMENT CAM

Note. If an alignment is being performed WITHOUT having replaced the LH tie rod end, the TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING MISALIGNMENT CHECK procedure must be performed as the first step. The Tie Rod Ball Stud Housing Misalignment Check procedure will determine if the LH tie rod end needs to be serviced due to excessive internal stress during turns.

Before each alignment reading the vehicle should be jounced (rear first, then front). Grasp each bumper at the center and jounce the vehicle up and down several times. Always release the bumper in the down position. Set the front end alignment to specifications while the vehicle is in its NORMALLY LOADED CONDITION.

CAMBER: The wheel camber angle is preset and is not adjustable.

CASTER adjustment: Check the caster of the front axle for correct angle. Be sure the axle is not bent or twisted. Road test the vehicle and make left and right turns. Observe the steering wheel return-to-center position. Low caster will cause poor steering wheel returnability.

For 2500/3500, caster can be adjusted by rotating the cams (3) on the lower suspension arm.

For 4500/5500, caster can be adjusted by loosening the bolts on the lower suspension arm, moving the arm within the slot and tightening the bolt.

TOE POSITION: The wheel toe position adjustment should be the final adjustment.

  1. If an alignment is being performed without having replaced the LH tie rod end, the «TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING MISALIGNMENT CHECK»(ref-457771-S18056187422012030200000) procedure must be performed prior to loosening any adjustment sleeve . Refer to «Wheel Alignment , Standard Procedure»(ref-457771-S15548608852012030200000) . If the LH tie rod end has just been replaced, proceed with 2 .
  2. Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Center and secure the steering wheel and turn off engine.
  3. Loosen the adjustment sleeve clamp bolts. NOTE: With the vehicle in a level position, verify the drag link/tie rod ball joints are not twisted and are centered. Rotate drag link/tie rod until ball joints are level.
  4. Adjust the right wheel toe position with the drag link adjuster sleeve. Turn the sleeve until the right wheel is at the correct specification. Verify a level drag link ball joint. Position clamp bolts to their original position and tighten to specifications. Refer to «Linkage, Link and Coil , Specifications»(ref-457772-S17078917912012030200000) . Make sure the toe setting does not change during clamp tightening.
  5. Adjust the left wheel toe position with the tie rod adjuster sleeve. Turn the sleeve until the left wheel is at the correct specification. Verify a level tie rod ball joint. Position clamp bolts to their original position and tighten to specifications. Refer to «Linkage, Link and Coil , Specifications»(ref-457772-S17078917912012030200000) . Make sure the toe setting does not change during clamp tightening. CAUTION: Setting the toe can put the tie rod ball stud alignment out of specifications causing damage to the LH tie rod. The procedure must be run again to verify or reset.
  6. Perform the «TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING MISALIGNMENT CHECK»(ref-457771-S18056187422012030200000) to verify it is still within specifications. NOTE: Toe setting may change during tightening, Make sure to verify reading after tightening.
  7. Verify the steering wheel is straight and the toe settings are correct (repeat steps 2-6 if necessary).
  8. Road test the vehicle.

TOE ADJUSTMENT - RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM

  1. Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
  2. Loosen the tie rod jam nuts (1). NOTE: Each front wheel should be adjusted for one-half of the total toe position specification. This will ensure the steering wheel will be centered when the wheels are positioned straight-ahead.
  3. Adjust the wheel toe position by turning the inner tie rod (2) as necessary. NOTE: Make sure the toe setting does not change during tightening.
  4. Tighten the tie rod jam nut (1) to 127 N.m (94 ft. lbs.).
  5. Verify the specifications.
  6. Road test the vehicle.

TOE ADJUSTMENT - RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING SYSTEM

Note. If an alignment is being performed WITHOUT having replaced the LH tie rod end, the TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING MISALIGNMENT CHECK procedure must be performed as the first step. The Tie Rod Ball Stud Housing Misalignment Check procedure will determine if the LH tie rod end needs to be serviced due to excessive internal stress during turns.

The wheel toe position adjustment is the final adjustment.

  1. If an alignment is being performed without having replaced the LH tie rod end, the «TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING MISALIGNMENT CHECK»(ref-457771-S18056187422012030200000) procedure must be performed prior to loosening any adjustment sleeve . Refer to «Wheel Alignment , Standard Procedure»(ref-457771-S15548608852012030200000) . If the LH tie rod end has just been replaced, proceed with 2 .
  2. Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Center and secure the steering wheel and turn off engine.
  3. Loosen the adjustment sleeve clamp bolts. NOTE: With the vehicle in a level position, verify the drag link/tie rod ball joints are not twisted and are centered. Rotate drag link/tie rod until ball joints are level.
  4. Adjust the right wheel toe position with the drag link adjuster sleeve. Turn the sleeve until the right wheel is at the correct specification. Verify a level drag link ball joint. Position clamp bolts to their original position and tighten to specifications. Refer to «Linkage, Link and Coil , Specifications»(ref-457772-S17078917912012030200000) . Make sure the toe setting does not change during clamp tightening.
  5. Adjust the left wheel toe position with the tie rod adjuster sleeve. Turn the sleeve until the left wheel is at the correct specification. Verify a level tie rod ball joint. Position clamp bolts to their original position and tighten to specifications. Refer to «Linkage, Link and Coil , Specifications»(ref-457772-S17078917912012030200000) . Make sure the toe setting does not change during clamp tightening. CAUTION: Setting the toe can put the tie rod ball stud alignment out of specifications causing damage to the LH tie rod. The procedure must be run again to verify or reset.
  6. Perform the «TIE ROD BALL STUD HOUSING MISALIGNMENT CHECK»(ref-457771-S18056187422012030200000) to verify it is still within specifications. NOTE: Toe setting may change during tightening, Make sure to verify reading after tightening.
  7. Verify the steering wheel is straight and the toe settings are correct (repeat steps 2-5 if necessary).
  8. Road test the vehicle.

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