Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 1265

19 - 22 STEERING — — — —
J9419-20
Fig. 3 Column Shaft Removal
(4) Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for in­
stallation reference. Remove the pitman arm from
the shaft with Puller C-4150-A (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Pitman Arm Removal
(5) Remove steering gear retaining bolts and nuts.
Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
B R
WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD
ADJUSTMENT
(1) Remove adjuster plug locknut (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Loosening the Adjuster Plug Locknut
(2) Turn the adjuster in with Spanner Wrench
C-4381. Tighten the plug and thrust bearing in the
housing until firmly bottomed in housing.
STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL
(1) Place the front wheels in a straight-ahead posi­
tion.
(2) Disconnect and cap the fluid hoses from steer­
ing gear.
(3) Remove coupler pinch bolt at the steering gear
and slide .shaft off gear (Fig. 3).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the steering gear on the frame rail and
install the bolts. Tighten mounting bolts to 190 N-m
(140 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Align steering coupler on gear shaft. Install
pinch bolt and tighten to 49 N-m (36 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Align and install the pitman arm.
(4) Install the washer and retaining nut on the pit­
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 251 N-m (185 ft. lbs.)
torque. ^
(5) Connect fluid hoses to steering gear, tighten to
31 N-m (23 ft. lbs.). Add fluid, refer to Power Steering
Pump Initial Operation.
STEERING GEAR ADJUSTMENTS
SERVICE INFORMATION
CAUTION: Steering gear must be adjusted as out­
lined. Failure to adhere to the procedure may result
in gear damage or improper steering response.
Remove the gear from the vehicle and mount in a
vise. Drain the power steering fluid and make the
following adjustments in this order:
® FIRST - worm thrust bearing preload
• SECOND - over-center preload adjustment