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Steering/Suspension - Drift Diagnosis and Repair: Overview

GROUP: Brakes

DATE: May 28, 1999

SUBJECT:
Chassis Dynamics Diagnosis

0VERVJEW:
This bulletin involves diagnosis and repair of a vehicle drift condition and on some vehicles, installing a shim between the wheel and the brake rotor1 between the wheel and hub/bearing assembly, or between the wheel and hub extension.

MODELS:

1998 - 1999 (BR/BE) Ram Truck

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Chassis Dynamics Diagnosis is the diagnosis of a condition where the vehicle may move either to the right or the left when not controlled by the driver. This condition can be caused by any of the following:

^ Non-Factory Installed Options (e.g. Snow plow)

^ Tires or Wheels of Different Size

^ Aftermarket Wheels

^ Tires That Have a Belt That Has Shifted

^ Incorrect Tire Pressure

^ A Vehicle That is Carrying Extra Added Weight (e.g. tool oxes

^ Steering and/or Suspension Components That Are Worn or Damaged

^ Wheel Bearings That Are Worn or Damaged

^ A Vehicle That Is Not Within Alignment Specifications

^ Brake Drag From Brake Components That Do Not Release

^ Braking Imbalance

NOTE:
UNDER CERTAIN ROAD CONDITIONS (E.G. HIGH ROAD CROWN, GROOVED ROADS, ETC.), MOST VEHICLES WILL MOVE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT UNCONTROLLED BY THE DRIVER. ALSO, THE SAME MAY HAPPEN IF A CROSS-WIND CONDITION EXISTS.





PARTS REQUIRED:

POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

TIME

Labor Operation No:
05-01-01-90 Includes Road Test, Brake System Evaluation, Steering and
Suspension Inspection, and Steering Geometry Evaluation
(Alignments) 3.6 Hrs.

05-01-01-91 Correcting Thrust Angle 0.7 Hrs.

05-01-01-92 Install Alignment Sleeves 1.9 Hrs.

Optional Equipment:

22-01-01-90 Dual Rear Wheels 0.2 Hrs.

Additional Repairs As Required:

02-10-10-90 Perform Ball Joint Tightening Sequence 1.7 Hrs.

02-10-10-91 Replace Ball Joints and Perform Tightening Sequence 3.0 Hrs.

22-45-02-91 Install 3.5 mm Shim On Opposite Side Of Drift And Road Test 0.6 Hrs.

22-45-02-92 Remove 3.5 mm Shim And Install 2.O mm Or 5.O mm
Shim And Road Test 0.6 Hrs.

22-45-02-93 Remove 5.O mm Shim, Replace Wheel Studs, Install 6.5 mm
Shim, And Road Test On 1500 Series Trucks 1.6 Hrs.

22-45-02-94 Remove 5.0 mm Shim, Replace Wheel Studs, Install 6.5 mm
Shim, And Road Test On 2500 Series Trucks 2.0 Hrs.

22-45-02-95 Remove 5.0 mm Shim, Replace Wheel Studs, Install 6.5 mm
Shim, And Road Test On 3500 Series Trucks With
Dual Rear Wheels 1.5 Hrs.

FAILURE CODE: XX - Service Adjustment