Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1672

DR
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT
SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION
A rack and pinion steering gears (Fig. 1) is made
up of two main components, the pinon shaft and the
rack. The gear cannot be adjusted or internally ser-
viced. If a malfunction or a fluid leak occurs, the gear
must be replaced as an assembly.
Fig. 1 STEERING GEAR
1 - OUTER TIE ROD ENDS
2 - MOUNTING BUSHINGS
3 - BELLOWS
REMOVAL
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.
(1) Lock the steering wheel.
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
BUSHING
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
INSTALLATION
(2) Drain and siphon the power steering fluid from
the reservoir.
(3) Raise the vehicle.
(4) Remove and discard the steering coupler pinch
bolt.
(5) Remove the power steering hoses from the rack
& pinion.
(6) Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
(7) Remove the tie rod end nuts and separate tie
rod ends from the knuckles with Special tool 8677
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/TIE ROD END -
REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the skid plate (Refer to 13 - FRAME &
BUMPERS/FRAME/FRONT
REMOVAL).
(9) Remove the rack & pinion mounting bolts. (Fig.
2) & (Fig. 3)
(10) Remove the rack & pinion from the vehicle.
Fig. 2 STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS
1 - STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS 4X4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SKID
19 - 17
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