Correcting For Front Caster/Camber
4. CORRECTING FOR FRONT CASTER/CAMBER
a. If the vehicle is a 4X2 and front caster or camber require adjustment, move the pivot bar located on the top of the upper suspension arm (Figure 4). Refer to the 1997 Dodge Ram Service Manual (Publication Number 81-37-7108), pages 2-1 through 2-7 for proper alignment procedures.
b. If the vehicle is equipped with a Dana 44 front axle (all 1500 series 4X4 and 7500 lb GVW 2500 series 4X4), caster and toe are the only front alignment angles that can be altered. Refer to the 1997 Dodge Ram Service Manual (Publication Number 81-37-7108), pages 2-1 through 2-7 for proper alignment procedures.
i. To adjust caster, loosen both right and left cam adjusters, located on the front section of the lower suspension arm (Figure 5).
NOTE:
BOTH CAM ADJUSTERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MOVE FREELY.
ii. Rock the cam adjuster bolt back and forth until the cam adjuster finds its neutral, or unloaded position. This will allow both right and left lower suspension arm bushings to be equally loaded.
iii. Adjust both cams evenly until the correct caster angle has been achieved. Refer to the 1997 Dodge Ram Service Manual, Publication Number 81-37-7108, pages 2-1 through 2-7 for proper alignment procedures.
iv. The vehicle weight must be supported by the tires before the cam bolts are tightened. Tighten the nuts of the cam bolts to** 129 Nm (95 ft. lbs.)** of torque.
c. If the vehicle is equipped with a Dana 60 front axle (8800 lb GVW 2500 series 4X4 and 3500 series 4X4) or has a solid front axle (3500 4X2 Cab Chassis), and camber requires no adjustment, and cross caster is within specifications, perform steps i through iv. If the vehicle requires camber adjustment or cross caster/cross camber is out of specification, proceed to the next step (step i).
i. Loosen both right and left cam adjusters, located on the front section of the lower suspension arm (Figure 5).
NOTE:
BOTH CAM ADJUSTERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MOVE FREELY.
ii. Rock the cam adjuster bolt back and forth until the cam adjuster finds its neutral, or unloaded position. This will allow both right and left lower suspension arm bushings to be equally loaded.
iii. Tighten the nuts to the cam bolt only tight enough so that the cam bolts do not move.
iv. Lower the vehicle so that the weight of the vehicle is supported by the tires. Tighten the nuts of the cam bolts to **129 Nm (95 ft. lbs.)** of torque.
v. Now, front camber and/or cross caster/cross camber can be altered by installing offset upper ball joint sleeves. The following sleeves are available from Mopar.
04886060AA 0.25° Offset Ball joint Sleeve
04886061AA 0.50° Offset Ball joint Sleeve
04886062AA 0.75° Offset Ball joint Sleeve
04886063AA 1.00° Offset Ball joint Sleeve
The sleeve can be rotated a total eight different positions to be able to increase or decrease caster and/or camber.
NOTE:
THE OFFSET BALL JOINT SLEEVES SHOULD ONLY BE USED TO CORRECT FOR A CAMBER OR CROSS CASTER ADJUSTMENT. ONCE CAMBER AND CROSS CASTER ARE CORRECT, CONTINUE BY USING THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM CAM ADJUSTERS TO ACHIEVE THE PREFERRED CASTER SETTINGS.
vi. Before the sleeve can be installed, an alignment check must be performed with the caster cam adjusters in the equally loaded position.
Record your readings.
Left Caster Right Caster
Left Camber Right Camber
vii. To remove the original upper ball joint sleeve, raise the vehicle on an appropriate lift that will allow the suspension to be unloaded.
viii. Remove the tire/wheel assembly.
ix. Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin.
x. Remove the upper ball joint nut.
xi. Use a hammer and chisel to drive the original ball joint sleeve from the axle tube yoke.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE AXLE TUBE YOKE OR BALL JOINT, PLACE THE CHISEL ON THE UPPER LIP OF THE SLEEVE ONLY DURING REMOVAL.
WARNING:
ALWAYS WEAR APPROPRIATE EYE PROTECTION WHEN PERFORMING THE BALL JOINT SLEEVE REMOVAL PROCEDURE.
xii. Choose the appropriate offset upper ball joint sleeve based upon the camber and caster values recorded in step vi.
xiii. After positioning the sleeve into the axle tube yoke, install the ball joint nut and tighten the upper ball joint nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.) of torque. Then, advance the nut to the next slot to line up with the hole in the ball joint stud. Install the cotter pin.
xiv. Verify that the ball joint does not bind during a turn. Remove the steering linkage from the steering knuckle arms. Using a spring scale at the steering knuckle arm tie rod attachment hole, check the amount of force required to turn the steering knuckle. Ball joints are considered binding if the force required to turn the steering knuckle exceeds 36 pounds. If the force is below 36 pounds, proceed to step xxviii. If ball joint binding is noticed, the upper and lower ball joints will have to be aligned properly. Remove the caliper assembly and the ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) (if equipped).
xv. Remove the hub and rotor assembly.
xvi. Remove the axle shaft.
CAUTION:
CAREFULLY REMOVE THE AXLE SHAFT. DAMAGE TO THE AXLE SHAFT SEAL COULD RESULT IF THE SPLINES ARE ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE SEAL.
xvii. Remove the upper ball joint nut.
xviii. Remove the lower ball joint nut.
xix. Remove the knuckle assembly from the axle yoke and move the ball joint stud to ensure that the ball joint is free in the socket. If the ball is not free, work the stud around in the socket to lubricate and free the ball.
xx. Install the knuckle assembly into the axle yoke.
xxi. Lubricate the threads with a penetrating oil such as Mopar General Purpose Lube, p/n 4544926, and install the lower ball joint nut finger tight.
xxii. Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 47.5 Nm (35 ft. lbs.) of torque.
xxiii. Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.) of torque, then advance the nut to the next slot to line up with the hole in the ball joint stud. Install the cotter pin.
xxiv. Re-tighten the lower ball joint nut to 190-215 Nm (140-160 ft. lbs.) of torque.
xxv. Install the axle shaft and verify that the lubricant in the front differential is at the proper level.
xxvi. Install the hub and rotor assembly. Tighten the bolts to 170 Nm (125 ft. lbs.) of torque.
xxvii. Install the brake caliper and the WSS.
xxviii. Connect the steering linkage at the steering knuckle arms. Tighten the tie rod nut to 88 Nm (65 ft. lbs.) of torque.
xxix. Install the tire/wheel assembly. Tighten the lug nuts to the sequence and torque specified in the 1997 Dodge Ram Service Manual (Publication Number 81-37-7108), pages 22-8 through 22-11.
xxx. Verify that camber and caster is now within specifications, if not within specification, repeat steps vi through xxx until camber and caster are within specifications.