Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1686

DR
PITMAN SHAFT (Continued)
Fig. 22 PITMAN SHAFT
1 - PITMAN SHAFT
2 - O-RING SEAL
3 - COVER
4 - ADJUSTING NUT
(4) Clean exposed end of pitman shaft and housing
with a wire brush.
(5) Rotate the stub shaft with a 12 point socket
from stop to stop and count the number of turns (Fig.
23).
(6) Center the stub shaft by rotating it from the
stop 1/2 of the total amount of turns (Fig. 23).
Fig. 23 CENTERING STEERING GEAR
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - 12 POINT SOCKET
3 - RATCHET
4 - INPUT SHAFT
(7) Remove the pitman shaft cover bolts.
NOTE: The pitman shaft will not clear the housing if
it is not centered.
(8) Remove the pitman shaft from the gear (Fig. 24).
(9) Remove the cover if needed by loosing the
adjuster nut, Then removing the cover from the pit-
man shaft.
Fig. 24 PITMAN SHAFT
1 - PITMAN SHAFT
2 - O-RING SEAL
3 - COVER
4 - ADJUSTING NUT
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - GAS
(1) Coat the seal with power steering fluid.
(2) Install pitman shaft into the steering gear until
it fully seats into the bearing.
(3) Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68
N·m (50 ft. lbs.).
(4) Perform over-center
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
(5) Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
(6) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT
PROCEDURE).
INSTALLATION - DIESEL
(1) Coat the seal with power steering fluid.
(2) Install the pitman shaft into the steering gear
until it fully seats into the bearing.
(3) Install the new cover bolts and tighten to 68
N·m (50 ft. lbs.).
(4) Perform over-center
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/GEAR - ADJUSTMENTS).
(5) Install the steering gear (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/GEAR - INSTALLATION).
(6) Install the pitman arm (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/LINKAGE/PITMAN ARM - INSTALLATION).
(7) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT
PROCEDURE).
GEAR - LINK/COIL
meshload adjustment,
- STANDARD
meshload adjustment
- STANDARD
19 - 31