Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 224

DR
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)
Condition
Axle Noise
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Position a lifting device under axle and secure
lift to the axle.
(3) Remove wheels and tires assemblies.
(4) Remove all brake components.
(5) Mark propeller shaft and companion flange for
installation alignment reference.
(6) Remove propeller shaft.
(7) Remove shock absorbers from axle (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 SHOCK ABSORBER
1 - NUT
2 - AXLE
3 - SHOCK ABSORBER
(8) Remove U-bolts from axle (Fig. 2).
Possible Causes
1. Insufficient lubricant.
2. Improper ring gear and pinion
adjustment.
3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion.
4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or
pinion.
5. Loose pinion bearings.
6. Loose differential bearings.
7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear.
8. Loose differential bearing cap
bolts.
9. Housing not machined properly.
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA
1. Fill differential with the correct fluid
type and quantity.
2. Check ring gear and pinion contact
pattern. Adjust backlash or pinion
depth.
3. Replace gears with a matched ring
gear and pinion.
4. Replace ring gear and pinion.
5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load.
6. Adjust differential bearing pre-load.
7. Measure ring gear run-out. Replace
components as necessary.
8. Inspect differential components and
replace as necessary. Ensure that the
bearing caps are torqued tot he
proper specification.
9. Replace housing.
Fig. 2 REAR SPRING
1 - LEAF SPRING
2 - PLATE
3 - NUTS
4 - FRONT NUT & BOLT
5 - SPRING CLAMP BOLTS
6 - SHACKLES
(9) Remove axle from the vehicle.
3 - 143
Correction