Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 76

B R
FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 • 1
FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE
C O N T E N T S
page
page
ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS . . . .
AXLE NOISE/VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS
AXLE SERVICE PROCEDURES . . . .
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT . . . . . .
. 8
17
21
44
. 4
GENERAL INFORMATION 1
INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION (IFS) . . . 1 2
LINK/COIL SUSPENSION 9
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 45
G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N
FRONT SUSPENSION
The Ram Truck uses two suspension designs, link/
coil and independent front suspension (IFS). Both de­
signs use coil springs. IFS uses upper and lower
suspension arms attached to the frame and steering
knuckles. Link/coil design uses upper and lower sus­
pension arms attached to the frame and drive axle
(4WD), tube axle (2WD).
UNK/GOIL SUSPENSION f F I ®
B
f J
STABILIZER
BAR
SHOCK A 1 S O R I E R
COIL SPRING
UPPER
S U S P E N S I O N
A R M
TRACK
BAR
LOWER i
SUSPENSION
A R M
J9402-54
Fig. 1 Link/Coil Suspension
© Drive axle (4WD),tube axle (2WD)
9 Upper and lower suspension arms
® Coil springs
© Shock absorbers
® Track bar
o Stabilizer bar
Link/coil suspension allows each wheel to adapt to
different road surfaces. Wheels are mounted to
knuckles with a hub/bearing. The hub/bearing is not
serviceable and is replaced. as a unit only. Steering
knuckles pivot on replaceable ball studs attached to
the axle tube yokes.
Drive axle (4WD) is a Model 44 or 60. It has a cast
iron differential case with axle shaft tubes extending
from either side.
They are equipped with a vacuum disconnect to ac­
tivate the 4WD.
Tube axle (2WD) is a one-piece tube. This axle
mounts to the same bracketry as the four-wheel drive
axle. The ^ steering knuckles are the same as the
Model 60 drive axle.
The upper and lower suspension arms use bushings
to isolate road noise. The suspension arms are bolted
to the frame and axle through the rubber bushings.
The lower suspension arm uses cam bolts at the axle
to allow for caster and pinion angle adjustment. The
suspension arm travel (jounce or rebound) is limited
through the use of urethane bumpers.
Suspension components which use rubber bushings
should be tightened at vehicle ride height. This will
prevent premature failure of the bushing and main­
tain ride comfort. Bushings must never be lubricated.
The coil springs control ride quality and maintain
proper ride height. The springs use a rubber isolators
between the frame bracket and spring. The isolators
help prevent road noise. The bottom of the spring sits
on a seat mounted to the axle.
Shock absorbers dampen the jounce and rebound of
the vehicle over various road conditions. Shocks are
mounted inside the springs and attached at the top
to brackets with grommets. These brackets are bolted
on the frame with three studs on a ring. The shock is
mounted at the bottom of the axle below the spring
seat. -
The track bar is used to minimize front axle side-
to-side movement. The bar is attached to a frame rail
bracket with a ball stud and is isolated with a bush­
ing at the axle bracket.