Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1397

9 - 174 ENGINE - 4.7L
TIMING BELT/CHAIN AND SPROCKETS (Continued)
(13) Remove left and right camshaft sprocket bolts.
(14) While holding the left camshaft steel tube
with adjustable pliers, (Fig. 131) remove the left
camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft
approximately 15 degrees clockwise to a neutral posi-
tion.
Fig. 131 Camshaft Rotation—Left Side
1 - CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AND CHAIN
2 - ADJUSTABLE PLIERS
3 - CAMSHAFT
(15) While holding the right camshaft steel tube
with adjustable pliers, (Fig. 132) remove the right
camshaft sprocket. Slowly rotate the camshaft
approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise to a neu-
tral position.
(16) Remove idler sprocket assembly bolt.
(17) Slide the idler sprocket assembly and crank
sprocket forward simultaneously to remove the pri-
mary and secondary chains.
(18) Remove both pivoting tensioner arms and
chain guides.
(19) Remove chain tensioner.
Fig. 132 Camshaft Rotation—Right Side
1 - ADJUSTABLE PLIERS
2 - CAMSHAFT DOWEL
INSPECTION
Inspect the following components:
• Sprockets for excessive tooth wear. Some tooth
markings are normal and not a cause for sprocket
replacement.
• Idler sprocket assembly bushing and shaft for
excessive wear.
• Idler sprocket assembly spline joint. The joint
should be tight with no backlash or axial movement.
• Chain guides and tensioner arms. Replace these
parts if grooving in plastic face is more than 1 mm
(0.039 in.) deep. If plastic face is severely grooved or
melted, the tensioner lube jet may be clogged. The
tensioner should be replaced.
• Secondary chain tensioner piston and ratcheting
device. Inspect for evidence of heavy contact between
tensioner piston and tensioner arm. If this condition
exist the tensioner and tensioner arm should be
replaced.
• Primary chain tensioner plastic faces. Replace as
required (Fig. 133).
DR