Dodge ram truck 3500 1996 Service Manual page 52

2 - 10 SUSPENSION B R
R E M O V A L A N D I N S T A L L A T I O N (Continued)
INSTALLATION
(1) Extend shock fully, install retainer and grom­
met on top of shock absorber. Check grommets and
retainer for wear.
(2) Guide shock up through upper suspension arm
bracket. Install top grommet, retainer and nut.
Tighten nut to specifications.
(3) Align bottom end of shock into lower suspen­
sion arm and install mounting bolt. Tighten bolt to
specifications.
(4) Remove support and lower vehicle.
COIL SPilNOS
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE SHOCK UNTIL
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM IS SUPPORTED. THE
SHOCK HOLDS THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
AND SPRING IN POSITION.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove tire and wheel assembly.
(3) Remove brake caliper assembly and rotor refer
to Group 5 Brakes.
(4) Disconnect tie rod from steering knuckle.
(5) Disconnect stabilizer bar link from lower sus­
pension arm.
(6) Support lower suspension arm outboard end
with jack. Place jack under arm in front of shock
mount.
(7) Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball
stud. Separate ball stud with remover C-4150A.
(8) Remove lower shock bolt from suspension arm.
(9) Lower jack and suspension arm until spring
tension is relieved. Remove spring and rubber isola­
tor (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Coil Spring
INSTALLATION
(1) Install rubber isolator on top of spring. Position
spring into upper spring seat and lower suspension
arm.
(2) Raise suspension arm with jack and position
shock into suspension arm mount. Install shock bolt
and tighten to specifications.
(3) Install steering knuckle on lower ball stud.
Install lower ball stud nut and tighten to specifica­
tions. Replace cotter pin and remove jack.
(4) Install stabilizer bar link on lower suspension
arm. Install grommet, retainer and nut and tighten
to specifications.
(5) Install tie rod on steering knuckle and tighten
nut to specifications.
(6) Install brake caliper assembly and rotor, refer
to Group 5 Brakes.
(7) Install tire and wheel assembly.
(8) Remove support and lower vehicle.
SfEEFtINi KNUCKLE
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove the
brake caliper, refer to Group 5 Brakes.
(3) Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly
from the spindle. Refer to Wheel Hub and Bearings
service removal.
(4) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the tie-rod
end and disconnect tie rod.
(5) Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the
upper and lower ball studs. Separate upper ball stud
from knuckle with remover MD-990635. Separate
lower ball stud with remover C-4150A and remove
knuckle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position knuckle on ball stud and install ball
stud nuts. Tighten nuts to specifications and install
cotter pins.
(2) Install the brake rotor hub and bearing assem­
bly on spindle. Refer to Wheel Hub and Bearings ser­
vice installation.
(3) Install the brake caliper, refer to Group 5
Brakes.
(4) Install wheel and tire assembly.
(5) Remove support and lower vehicle.
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE SHOCK UNTIL
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM IS SUPPORTED. THE
S H O C K HOLDS THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
AND SPRING IN POSITION.