Dodge ram truck 3500 1996 Service Manual page 64

2 - 22 SUSPENSION
B R
SPRING AND SHOCK nttSUHBER DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES
CORRECTION
SPRING SAGS
1. Broken leaves 1. Replace broken leaves
2. Spring fatigue 2. Replace spring
SPRING NOISE
1. Loose U-bolts 1. Tighten U-bolts to specified torque
2 Worn bushings
2. Replace bushings
3. Worn or missing leaf liners 3. Replace leaf liners
SHOCK ABSORBERS
NOISY
1. Loose mounting bolt or nut
2. Worn bushings
1. Tighten bolt or nut to specified torque
2. Replace shock absorber
3. Leaking shock 3. Replace shock
J9503-2
R E M O V A L A N D I N S T A L L A T I O N
SHOCK ABSORBER
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle and support axle.
(2) Remove the bolt and flag nut from the frame
crossmember bracket.
(3) Remove the bolt and nut from the axle bracket.
(4) Remove the rear shock absorber from the vehi­
cle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position shock absorber in brackets.
(2) Install bolts through the brackets and shock.
Install flag nut on top bolt and nut on lower bolt.
(3) Tighten upper and lower bolts to specifications
(4) Remove the support and lower vehicle.
LEAF SPRING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle and support axle to remove all
weight from springs.
(2) Remove the nuts and spring clamp bolts that
attach the spring to the axle (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2) and
(Fig. 3).
(3) Remove the nuts and bolts from the spring
front and rear shackle eyes. Note: To remove front
eye bolt on left side spring fuel tank must be
removed, refer to Group 14 for fuel tank proce­
dure.
(4) Remove spring from vehicle.
(5) Remove shackle from spring.
Fig. 1 Rear Spring—4X2