Diagnosis/Repair Procedures
1. Verity that the vehicle is not equipped with non-factory installed options, or equipment that may cause the vehicle to wander. Equipment such as heavy tool boxes or hardware may cause the vehicle to exceed the front or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).2. Inspect the front suspension components including wheel bearings, for any signs of wear or damage. Make any repairs necessary.
NOTE:
MOST AIR LEVELING SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR THE RAM VAN/WAGON SHOULD NOT CAUSE STEERING WANDER. HOWEVER, THE AIR LEVELING SYSTEM MAY BE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE TO ADJUST VEHICLE ATTITUDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR LEVELING SYSTEM, ENSURE THE SYSTEM IS INFLATED TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS PRIOR TO PROCEEDING.
3. Lubricate all front steering and suspension system components.
4. Inspect the condition and size of all tire and wheel assemblies. Tires that are worn or damaged and/or wheels that are of a different size and/or offset than recommended, may cause the vehicle to wander. Any tires or wheels which exhibit the conditions stated above should be replaced before continuing with the diagnosis.
5. Inflate the tires to 65 psi. - front and 80 psi. - rear
NOTE:
-IMPORTANT- TIRE PRESSURES ARE NORMALLY SET TO THE LIGHT LOAD SPECIFICATION WHEN PERFORMING STEERING WANDER DIAGNOSIS, HOWEVER, HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES SUCH AS MOTOR HOMES OR CONVERSION VANS, OR VEHICLES USED FOR SHUTTLE SERVICES WHICH ARE OFTEN FILLED WITH PASSENGERS WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PRESSURE. HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES SHOULD BE RUN WITH TIRE PRESSURES OF 65 PSI. - FRONT AND 80 PSI. REAR TO ENHANCE STEERING PERFORMANCE. THIS INCREASE IN TIRE PRESSURE ALONE MAY BE ALL THAT IS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.
6. Validate the customer's concern by test driving the vehicle on a smooth highway, free of road crown, ruts, speed bumps, or potholes. Drive the vehicle at speeds between 80 - 113 km/h (50 - 70 mph), preferably without crosswind conditions. If crosswind conditions are prevalent, drive the vehicle in both directions relative to the crosswind. Return the vehicle to the customer if the steering wander condition has been repaired. If the vehicle still exhibits a steering wander condition, proceed to the steering gear replacement procedure.
NOTE:
VEHICLES THAT DO NOT EXHIBIT A STEERING WANDER CONDITION DURING THE ROAD TEST MAY HAVE HAD THE CONDITION CORRECTED WITH STEPS 1-6, OR THE CONDITION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ROAD OR WEATHER CONDITIONS (E.G. WIND, HIGH ROAD CROWN, GROOVED ROADS, ETC.).
^ WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
1. Verify the front wheel bearing end play. If the end play is above the specification, complete the following repair procedure
NOTE:
The end play should be 0.25-0.076 mm (0.001-0.003 in.).
2. Remove the dust cover, nut lock and cotter pin. Tighten the nut to 54 N.m (40 ft. lb. to preload the bearing while rotating the hub/rotor. Stop hub/rotor and loosen the nut to completely release bearing preload torque. Tighten the nut to 3 N.m (25 in. lb.). Install the nut lock and a new cotter pin.
3. Clean the dust cap and apply a coating lubricant to the internal surface. Do not fill the dust cap with lubricant. Install the cap.
STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT
NOTE:
INSPECT THE BAR CODE LABEL ON THE STEERING GEAR AND NOTE THE PART NUMBER. IF THE PART NUMBER IS 52039231 AD OR 52039231AE (14:1 RATIO) THE VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT. IF THE PART NUMBER IS 52039231AB OR 52039231AC (16-13:1 VARIABLE RATIO), STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED. MOST 1998 AND SOME EARLY 1999 VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH THE 16-13 :1 VARIABLE RATIO GEAR.
1. Using the procedures outlined in the appropriate service manual, remove the steering gear and install the new steering gear, P/N 52013456AA.
NOTE:
MAKE SURE TO FILL THE STEERING SYSTEM WITH FLUID (P/N 04883077) AND PURGE ALL AIR FROM THE SYSTEM AS OUTLINED IN THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL.
^ REAR SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS REPLACEMENT (8700 LB. GVW ONLY)
NOTE:
THE REAR SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS ON THE 8700 LB. GVW VEHICLES WILL REQUIRE UPGRADING TO THE COMPONENTS USED ON THE 9200 LB. GVW VEHICLES. INSTALLATION OF THE UPGRADED SPRINGS AND SHOCKS IS NOT REQUIRED ON 9200 LB. GVW VEHICLES. FOR 9200 LB. GVW VEHICLES, PROCEED TO THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
CAUTION:
THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MUST BE LIFTED USING A HOIST. THE LIFT MUST BE PLACED UNDER THE FRAME RAIL CROSSMEMBER LOCATED AFT OF THE REAR AXLE. USE CARE TO AVOID BENDING THE SIDE RAIL FLANGE.
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist and inspect the rear springs and shock absorbers. The heavy duty spring part number is **52106156AD**. The heavy duty shock part number is **52106320AC**. It the part numbers on the components differ from these numbers, they must be replaced.
2. Using the procedures outlined in the appropriate service manual, remove the rear springs and shock absorbers. Install new springs, p/n **52106156AD** and new shock absorbers, p/n **52106320A0 **
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
NOTE:
IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A REAR SUSPENSION AIR LEVELING SYSTEM, ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFLATED PRIOR TO PERFORMING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
3. Perform the Pre-Alignment inspection as identified in Group 02, Service Procedures, of the appropriate Ram Van/Wagon Service Manual or the service information provided in the MDS2. Any worn steering and/or suspension component must be replaced prior to performing an alignment.
4. Perform a wheel alignment on the vehicle. Refer to the procedures identified in the appropriate Ram Van/Wagon Service Manual or the service information provided in the MDS2, Group 02, Service Procedures, Wheel Alignment. Adjust any front alignment angle not within specifications. Refer to the following chart for proper alignment specifications.
NOTE:
FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION AIR LEVELING SYSTEM, ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM IS RE-INFLATED TO THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE AFTER THE ALIGNMENT IS COMPLETED.
NOTE:
THE SPECIFICATIONS IN THE SERVICE MANUAL MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THAT ON THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE SPECIFICATIONS IN THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE USED ANYTIME WHEEL ALIGNMENTS ARE PERFORMED ON SUBJECT MODEL RAM VAN/WAGONS.
CAUTION:
ENSURE THERE IS PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND REAR A/C LINES (IF EQUIPPED). ADJUST THE LINES AS NECESSARY.