Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

3500 Series With Dual Rear Wheels, Shimming Procedure:

1. With wheel removed install 3.5 mm shim (p/n 04863760) on the hub extension and stud assembly, make sure that the shim is installed as marked "THIS SIDE OUT."

CAUTION:
DO NOT INSTALL RETAINERS ON HUB EXTENSION STUDS TO RETAIN SHIM AS THEY WILL INTERFERE WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL NUT TORQUE RETENTION.

2. Install the wheel on the hub extension and stud assembly, make sure that the wheel is centered on the studs and partially tighten all of the lug nuts following the pattern given in the 1997 Ram Truck Service Manual (Publication Number 81-370-7108) page 22-10.

3. Finish tightening the lug nuts to 176 - 217 Nm (130 - 160 ft. lbs.) following the pattern given on pages 22-9 and 22-10.

4. Road test the vehicle again as described in step 7 through 11 in the diagnosis section of the Suspension Geometry Evaluation. If the condition is corrected and no drift occurs, the repair is complete. If the vehicle drifts to the opposite direction than originally found then repeat steps 1 through 3 on the other side, using a 2.0 mm shim (p/n 04863759).

5. If the vehicle continues to drift in the same direction as originally found then a thicker shim must be used. Repeat steps 1 through 3 using a 5.0 mm shim (p/n 04863761). Road test the vehicle again as described in step 7 through 11 in the diagnosis section of the Suspension Geometry Evaluation. If the condition is corrected and no drift occurs, the repair is complete. However if the vehicle still continues to drift in the same direction as originally found, then a thicker than 5.0 mm shim must be used. In this event the wheel studs must be replaced.

PROCEDURE FOR 6.5 MM SHIM

6. Press the original wheel studs out of the hub extension and stud assembly as outlined in the 1997 Ram Truck Service Manual (Publication Number 81-370-7108) page 2-19.

CAUTION:
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE WHEEL STUDS WHILE THE HUB EXTENSION AND STUD ASSEMBLY ARE INSTALLED ON THE ROTOR AND KNUCKLE OR BEARING DAMAGE WILL RESULT.

7. Press the eight new, longer studs (p/n 04864188) into the hub extension and stud assembly.

CAUTION:
BE SURE HUB IS SUPPORTED, LOAD REACTION MUST NOT BE TAKEN OUT THROUGH THE BEARING.

8. Install the hub extension and stud assembly to the hub, rotor and bearing assembly.

9. Install a 6.5 mm shim (p/n 04863762) on the hub extension and stud assembly. Make sure that the shim is installed as marked "THIS SIDE OUT."

CAUTION:
DO NOT INSTALL RETAINERS ON HUB EXTENSION STUDS TO RETAIN SHIM AS THEY WILL INTERFERE WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL NUT TORQUE RETENTION.

10. Install the wheel on the hub extension and stud assembly, make sure that the wheel is centered on the studs and partially tighten all of the lug nuts following the pattern given in the 1997 Ram Truck Service Manual (Publication Number 81-370-7108) page 22-10.

11. Finish tightening the lug nuts to 176-217 Nm (130 - 160 ft. lbs.) following the pattern given on pages 22-9 and 22-10.

12. Road test the vehicle to insure that drift is now corrected.

CAUTION:
DO NOT USE MORE THAN ONE SHIM ON A WHEEL OR SPACE THE WHEEL MORE THAN 6.5 MM AWAY FROM THE ROTOR.

DO NOT PERFORM THIS TSB PROCEDURE FOR ANY CONDITION(S) OTHER THAN THE ONE DISCUSSED IN THIS CHASSIS DYNAMICS DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS.

DO NOT INSTALL THESE SHIMS ON THE REAR OF A VEHICLE.

**13. If the drift continues to occur but only under a heavy braking condition, proceed to the "SUSPENSION ARM INSTALLATION" section.**