Stabilizer Bar Operation; Stabilizer Bar Removal; Diagnosis And Testing - Upper Ball Joint; Coil Spring - Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

2 - 12 FRONT - 2WD
SPRING (Continued)
(3) Remove the brake caliper assembly and rotor,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
ROTORS - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the tie rod.
Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle
with Puller C-3894-A.
(5) Remove the stabilizer bar link from the lower
suspension arm.
(6) Support the lower suspension arm outboard
end with a jack. Place a jack under the arm in front
of the shock mount.
(7) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the lower
ball joint. Separate the ball joint with Remover
C-4150A.
(8) Remove the lower shock bolt from the suspen-
sion arm.
(9) Lower the jack and suspension arm until
spring tension is relieved. Remove spring and rubber
isolator (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Coil Spring

1 - COIL SPRING

2 - RUBBER ISOLATER
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the rubber isolator on top of the spring.
Position the spring into the upper spring seat.
(2) Raise the lower suspension arm with a jack
and position the spring into the lower suspension
arm mount.
(3) Install the lower shock bolt and tighten to 142
N·m (105 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install the steering knuckle on the lower ball
joint. Install the lower ball joint nut and tighten to:
• LD: 129 N·m (95 ft. lbs.)
• HD: 136 N·m (110 ft. lbs.)
(4) Install the lower ball joint cotter pin.
(5) Install the stabilizer bar link on the lower sus-
pension arm. Install the grommet, retainer and nut
and tighten to 37 N·m (27 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the tie rod end on the steering knuckle
and tighten nut to 108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.). Install cotter
pin.
(7) Install the brake rotor and caliper assembly,
(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
ROTORS - INSTALLATION).
(8) Install the tire and wheel assembly, (Refer to
22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).
(9) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION
The bar extends across the front underside of the
chassis and mounts on the frame rails. Links con-
nected the bar to the lower suspension arms. Stabi-
lizer bar mounts are isolated by rubber bushings.
Links are isolated with rubber grommets.
OPERATION
The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front
sway during turns. The spring steel bar helps to con-
trol the vehicle body in relationship to the suspen-
sion.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the link nuts, retainers and grommets
from lower suspension arm and stabilizer bar (Fig.
6).
(3) Remove the stabilizer bar clamps from the
frame rails. Remove the stabilizer bar.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the stabilizer bar on the frame rail
and install the clamps and bolts. Ensure the bar is
centered with equal spacing on both sides. Tighten
the bolts to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install links on stabilizer bar and lower sus-
pension arm. Install grommets, retainers and nuts.
Tighten nuts to 37 N·m (27 ft. lbs.).
(3) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
UPPER BALL JOINT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - UPPER BALL
JOINT
(1) Position a floor jack under the lower suspen-
sion arm. Raise the wheel and allow the tire to
lightly contact the floor (vehicle weight relieved from
the tire).
(2) Mount a dial indicator solidly on the upper sus-
pension arm.
BR/BE