Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1676

DR
GEAR - LINK/COIL (Continued)
(4) Disconnect and cap the fluid hoses from steer-
ing gear (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES -
REMOVAL).
(5) Remove coupler pinch bolt at the steering gear
and slide shaft off gear (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 COLUMN SHAFT
1 - STEERING COUPLER
2 - STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT
(6) Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for
installation reference. Remove the pitman arm from
the shaft with Puller C-4150A (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - REMOVAL), (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 PITMAN ARM REMOVAL
1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - C-4150A PULLER
(7) Remove steering gear three mounting bolts
(Fig. 4). Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the steering gear on the frame rail and
install the three mounting bolts (Fig. 4). Tighten the
mounting bolts to 196 N·m (145 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 4 STEERING GEAR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - MOUNTING BOLTS (3)
(2) Align steering coupler on gear shaft. Install
pinch bolt and tighten to 49 N·m (36 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Align and install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLA-
TION).
(4) Install the washer and retaining nut on the pit-
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 305 N·m (225 ft. lbs.).
(5) Connect fluid hoses to steering gear (Refer to
19 - STEERING/PUMP/HOSES - INSTALLATION),
tighten to 31 N·m (23 ft. lbs.).
(6) Add fluid, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(7) Reset the toe and center the steering wheel
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
ADJUSTMENTS
ADJUSTMENT
CAUTION: Steering gear must be adjusted in the
proper order. If adjustments are not performed in
order, gear damage and improper steering response
may result.
NOTE: Adjusting the steering gear in the vehicle is
not recommended. Remove gear from the vehicle
and drain the fluid. Then mount gear in a vise to
perform adjustments.
(1) Remove the steering gear from the vehicle
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - REMOVAL).
(2) Mount the gear carefully into a soft-jawed vise.
GEAR - LINK/COIL 19 - 21