Steering and Suspension Inspection

1. Remove any component on the vehicle that may cause a change in curb height (e.g. snow plow), if possible.

2. Inspect the condition, and size of all tires. Replace any tire(s) that is/are worn, damaged, or of the incorrect size. Also, verify that all four tires are of the same brand.

3. Inflate all tires to the pressure specified in the Tire Inflation Pressure sheet (located in the glove box).

4. Inspect all wheels to verify that the wheels are of the correct size, offset, and are not bent/damaged. Replace any bent/damaged wheel or wheel(s) that is/are not of the correct size or do not have the correct offset.

NOTE:
IF VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EQUIPPED WITH AFTERMARKET TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES, INSTALL FACTORY APPROVED TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS.





5. Record the vehicle's curb height. Measurement locations can be found using the 1997 Ram Truck Service Manual (Publication Number 81-370-7108), page 2-6.

NOTE:
THE SERVICE MANUAL DOES NOT LIST SPECIFICATIONS FOR CURB HEIGHT. IF A DIFFERENCE OF ONE INCH FROM THE LEFT CURB HEIGHT TO THE RIGHT CURB HEIGHT IS IDENTIFIED, INSPECT RELATED SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED COMPONENT AS NECESSARY. REFER TO THE 1997 RAM TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-370-7108), GROUP 2 FOR INFORMATION REGARDING SUSPENSION COMPONENT SERVICE.

6. Inspect the following steering and suspension components for wear and damage. Replace any component that is bent or out of tolerance. Use the 1997 Ram Truck Service Manual (Publication Number 81-370-7108), Groups 2 and 19 for inspection and service procedures.

^ Frame
^ Tie Rod
^ Drag Link
^ Pitman Arm
^ Idler Arm
^ Left Front Upper Suspension Arm Bushings
^ Left Front Lower Suspension Arm Bushings
^ Right Front Upper Suspension Arm Bushings
^ Right Front Lower Suspension Arm Bushings
^ Stabilizer Bar and Bushings
^ Right Front Shock Absorber
^ Left Front Shock Absorber
^ Right Rear Shock Absorber
^ Left Rear Shock Absorber
^ Left Front Upper Ball Joint
^ Left Front Lower Ball Joint
^ Right Front Upper Ball Joint
^ Right Front Lower Ball Joint

7. Use the following procedure to inspect the track bar ball joint for excessive wear:

a. Position the wheels straight ahead then, turn the steering wheel 90° to the left.





b. Attach a dial indicator to the frame near the track bar ball joint. Position the tip of the dial indicator on the end cap of the ball joint next to the grease fitting (Figure 2) and lightly preload the dial indicator.

NOTE:
THE DIAL INDICATOR TIP SHOULD BE PERPENDICULAR TO THE BALL JOINT END CAP.

c. Rotate the face of the dial indicator so that the indicator needle is positioned at the zero mark.

d. Rotate the steering wheel approximately 180° to the right. Read the amount of end play on the dial indicator and record the reading.

e. Rotate the steering wheel back 180° to the left and repeat the procedure three times to identify the highest reading.

f. Replace the track bar if the ball joint end play exceeds 2.03 mm (0.080 in.) in any one of the end play diagnostic checks.

8. Torque the following steering and suspension components to the manufacture recommended torque values listed.

NOTE:





IT IS EXTREMELY CRITICAL THAT ALL FASTENERS BE CHECKED WITH A CALIBRATED TORQUE WRENCH. TO PROPERLY CHECK THE TORQUE, THE FASTENER SHOULD BE LOOSENED, THEN TORQUED TO THE APPROPRIATE VALUE.