Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1661

19 - 6 COLUMN
COLUMN
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
COLUMN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
IGNITION SWITCH
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - IGNITION
SWITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
KEY-IN IGNITION SWITCH
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - IGNITION
SWITCH AND KEY LOCK CYLINDER
KEY CYLINDER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
COLUMN
DESCRIPTION
NOTE: The steering column on vehicles with an
automatic transmission may not be equipped with
an internal locking shaft that allows the ignition key
cylinder to be locked with the key. Alternative meth-
ods of locking the steering wheel for service will
have to be used.
The tilt and standard column (Fig. 1) has been
designed to be serviced as an assembly; less wiring,
switches, shrouds, steering wheel, etc. Most steering
column components can be serviced without remov-
ing the steering column from the vehicle.
To service the steering wheel, switches or airbag,
refer to Restraints and follow all WARNINGS and
CAUTIONS.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO
MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DIS-
CHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN
COLUMN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
GEAR SHIFT LEVER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
INSTALLATION
UPPER STEERING COUPLING
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
INSTALLATION
LOWER STEERING COUPLING
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - ALL LD & HD EXCEPT 4X4 HD
REMOVAL - 4X4 HD
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - ALL LD & HD EXCEPT 4X4
HD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
INSTALLATION - 4X4 HD
STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
. . . . . . . 11 INSTALLATION
TILT LEVER KNOB RELEASE
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
INSTALLATION
ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS,
SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR
THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL COAT-
INGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE
AIRBAG
REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME A
NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE
CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE
PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS
BOOKS.
CAUTION: Do not hammer on steering column
shaft. This may cause damage to the shaft or bear-
ing.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot bolts
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Do not
remove shaft lock plate or plate retainer. This will
damage the column.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove or modify the
park lock slider or link.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SYSTEM. THEY MUST
DR
page
. 14
NEVER BE