Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Removal & Installation RAM Pickup 2500

INSTALLATION

Note. All views are typical.

Note. When installing hub/bearing with ABS brakes, position the speed sensor opening towards the front of the vehicle.

1. Install the brake dust shield and hub/bearing to the steering knuckle (1) and tighten the 3 bolts to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
2. Install the knuckle (1) onto the upper and lower ball joints.
3. Install the upper and lower ball joint nuts and tighten to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
4. Remove the hydraulic jack from the lower control arm (4). NOTE: If a new tie rod end is to be installed, make sure the boot (2) is properly lubricated.
5. Clean all old grease and debris from the boot (2) with a clean cloth.
6. Apply outer tie rod grease P/N 68088623AA (1) to the tie rod end boot (2).
7. Install the tie rod end and tighten the nut to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
8. Install the front halfshaft into the hub/bearing (if equipped).
9. Install the halfshaft nut (if equipped) and tighten to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
10. Install the ABS wheel speed sensor (if equipped) and brake shield, rotor and caliper. Refer to «SENSOR, Wheel Speed, Front , Installation»(ref-457776-S17244010282012030200000) . Refer to «ROTOR, Brake , Installation»(ref-457773-S03930091312012030200000) .
11. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to «Wheels , Standard Procedure»(ref-457774-S22159730232012030200000) .
12. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
13. Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to «Wheel Alignment , Standard Procedure»(ref-457771-S15548608852012030200000) .

REMOVAL

Note. 4X4 shown in illustration, 4x2 similar.

Scheme 38

Note. It may be necessary to remove the other stabilizer link upper nut (4) in order to remove the link (5) being worked on from the vehicle.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the lower nut (6).
3. Remove the upper nut, retainers and grommets (4).
4. Remove the stabilizer link (5) from the vehicle.

Note. 4X4 shown in illustration, 4x2 similar.

1. Install the stabilizer link (5) to the vehicle.
2. Install the lower nut (6) and tighten to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
3. Install the retainers, grommets and upper nut (4) and tighten to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
4. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Note. To service the stabilizer bar the vehicle should be on a drive on hoist. The vehicle suspension must be at curb height for stabilizer bar installation.

1. Remove the stabilizer bar link upper nuts and remove the retainers and grommets (4).
2. Remove the stabilizer bar mounting bolts (1) and discard the mounting bolts .
3. Remove the retainers (7) from the frame crossmember and remove the bar (3).
4. If necessary, remove the bushings (2) from the stabilizer bar (3), Do not cut the old bushings off the stabilizer bar use a mixture of soapy water in order to aid in sliding the bushing off .

Note. To service the stabilizer bar the vehicle must be on a drive on hoist. The vehicle suspension must be at curb height for stabilizer bar installation.

1. If the bushings were removed, Clean the bar and install the bushings on the stabilizer bar using a mixture of soapy water or equivalent in order to slide the bushing over the bar with ease. Do not cut the new bushing for installation. NOTE: Install new mounting bolts. Do not reuse old bolts. NOTE: Check the alignment of the bar to ensure there is no interference with the either frame rail or chassis component. Spacing should be equal on both sides.
2. Position the stabilizer bar (4) on the frame crossmember brackets and install the bracket (3) bolts finger-tight.
3. Install the stabilizer bar (3) to the stabilizer link (5) and install the grommets and retainers.
4. Install the nuts (4) to the stabilizer link (3) and tighten to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .
5. Tighten the brackets to the frame to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S20789387792012030200000) .

1. Raise and support the vehicle. NOTE: Before removing the connector from the actuator (1) clean the outside of the connector with a cleaner and compressed air, to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Disconnect the electronic actuator electrical connector for the disconnecting stabilizer bar.
3. Remove the 3 actuator bolts (2) then remove the actuator (1).

1. Install the actuator (1) to the disconnecting unit (3) and tighten the bolts (2) to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S11676084182012030200000) . NOTE: The seal must be clean and intact in the electrical connector when reconnecting to the actuator (1).
2. Reconnect the electronic actuator electrical connector for the disconnecting stabilizer bar.
3. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
4. Using a scan tool program the new stabilizer bar to the vehicle.

Scheme 39

Scheme 40

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Paint or scribe alignment marks on the cam adjusters (1) and control arm (4) for installation reference. NOTE: Discard the nuts and bolts and do not reuse, New nuts and bolts should be used when replacing or servicing the control arms.
3. Remove the lower control arm nut, cam and cam bolt from the axle (3).
4. Remove the nut and bolt from the frame rail bracket (1) and remove the lower control arm (2).

Note. Discard the nuts and bolts and do not reuse. New nuts and bolts should be used when replacing or servicing the control arms.

Scheme 41

1. Position the lower control arm (2) at the axle bracket (3) and frame rail bracket (1).
2. Install the rear bolt and finger tighten the nut.
3. Install the cam bolt (1), cam and nut in the axle and align the reference marks.
4. Remove support and lower the vehicle.
5. Tighten cam nut at the axle bracket and the rear nut at the frame bracket to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S11676084182012030200000) .

Scheme 42

1. Raise and support the vehicle. NOTE: Discard the nuts and bolts and do not reuse. New nuts and bolts should be used when replacing or servicing the control arms.
2. Remove the upper control arm (4) nut and bolt at the axle bracket. see scheme 94
3. Remove the nut and bolt at the frame rail and remove the upper control arm (4).

Scheme 43

Scheme 44

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Support the axle.
3. Disconnect the exhaust system at the manifold(s) (1).
4. Disconnect the exhaust bracket (4) at the transmission.
5. Disconnect the rubber exhaust mounts for the exhaust.
6. Raise the exhaust system up and back in order to gain access to the removal of the upper bolt (3). NOTE: Discard the nuts and bolts and do not reuse. New nuts and bolts should be used when replacing or servicing the control arms.
7. Remove the nut (1) and bolt at the frame rail and remove the upper control arm (2).
8. Remove the upper control arm nut and bolt at the axle bracket.
9. Remove the control arm (2) from the vehicle.

Scheme 45

Note. Discard the nuts and bolts and do not reuse. New nuts and bolts should be used when replacing or servicing the control arms.

1. Position the upper control arm (4) at the axle and frame rail.
2. Install the bolts and finger tighten the nuts.
3. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
4. Tighten nut at the axle bracket and frame bracket to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S11676084182012030200000) .

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Position a hydraulic jack under the axle to support it.
2. Paint or scribe alignment marks on lower suspension arm cam adjusters and axle bracket for installation reference.
3. Remove the upper suspension arm and loosen lower suspension arm bolts.
4. Mark and disconnect the front propeller shaft from the axle 4x4 models.
5. Disconnect the track bar from the frame rail bracket.
6. Disconnect the drag link from pitman arm.
7. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link and shock absorber from the axle.
8. Lower the axle until the spring is free from the upper mount. Remove the coil spring.

1. Position the coil spring on the axle pad.
2. Raise the axle into position until the spring seats in the upper mount.
3. Connect the stabilizer bar links and shock absorbers to the axle bracket. Connect the track bar to the frame rail bracket.
4. Install the upper suspension arm.
5. Install the front propeller shaft to the axle, if equipped.
6. Install drag link to pitman arm and tighten nut to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S11676084182012030200000) . Install a new cotter pin.
7. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
8. Tighten the following suspension components to specifications. Refer to «SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-457771-S11676084182012030200000) .

1. Link to stabilizer bar nut.
2. Lower shock bolt.
3. Track bar bolt at axle shaft tube bracket.
4. Upper suspension arm nut at axle bracket.
5. Upper suspension nut at frame bracket.
6. Align lower suspension arm reference marks and tighten cam nut.
7. Lower suspension nut at frame bracket.