Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1677

19 - 22 GEAR - LINK/COIL
GEAR - LINK/COIL (Continued)
CAUTION: Do not overtighten the vise on the gear
case. This may affect the adjustment
(3) Hold the steering gear upside down over a
drain pan and rotate the input shaft back and forth
several times lock-to-lock to discharge the fluid from
the steering gear
(4) Rotate the input shaft to the left stop and then
back-off approximately 45 degrees. Using an inch-
pound torque wrench on the input shaft, record the
peak torque required to slowly and evenly rotate the
input shaft clockwise
from the 45 degree position. This peak torque read-
ing is the preload torque. The preload torque must be
within 2 - 10 in-lbs.
(5) Rotate the input shaft to its center of travel
(approximately 1.5 turns from either stop). Place the
torque wrench on the input shaft with the handle in
the vertical position. Rotate the torque wrench slowly
and evenly 1 ⁄ turn (90 degrees) each side of center
4
and record the peak torque measure on or near cen-
SPECIFICATIONS
POWER STEERING GEAR
SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION
Steering Gear
Type
Gear Code & Ratio
DESCRIPTION
Preload
Torque
Meshload Torque
1 ⁄ turn (180 degrees) starting
2
SPECIFICATION
Recirculating Ball
12.5:1
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
N·m
0.23-1.13
0.56-1.02
ter. This total on-center torque reading must be 5 - 9
in-lbs higher than the previously measured preload
torque without exceeding a total of 17 in-lbs. The
value of the total on-center minus the preload torque
is defined as the meshload torque
(6) If required, adjust the on-center torque by loos-
ening the adjuster screw lock nut and turning the
adjuster screw until the total on-center and meshload
torque readings fall within the specified values. Turn
the adjuster screw clockwise to increase and counter-
clockwise to decrease the torque reading. While hold-
ing the adjuster screw in place, tighten the lock nut
to 31 N·m (23 ft. lbs.).
(7) Re-check the preload and on-center torque
readings.
(8) Install pitman arm on the steering gear (Refer
to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM -
INSTALLATION).
(9) Reinstall steering gear to the vehicle (Refer to
19 - STEERING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
Ft. Lbs.
—
—
DR
In. Lbs.
2-10
5-9
+ Preload (17 Max)