Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 1609

19 - 16 GEAR
GEAR (Continued)
Fig. 2 STEERING GEAR
REMOVAL
(1) Place the front wheels in a straight-ahead posi-
tion.
(2) Disconnect and cap the fluid hoses from steer-
ing gear.
(3) Remove coupler pinch bolt at the steering gear
and slide shaft off gear (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Column Shaft
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - STEERING COUPLER
(4) Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for
installation reference. Remove the pitman arm from
the shaft with Puller C-4150A (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 Pitman Arm
1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150-A
3 - WRENCH
(5) Remove steering gear retaining bolts and nuts.
Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the steering gear on the frame rail and
install the bolts. Tighten mounting bolts to specifica-
tions.
(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.
(4) Install the washer and retaining nut on the pit-
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 251 N·m (185 ft. lbs.).
(5) Connect fluid hoses to steering gear, tighten to
31 N·m (23 ft. lbs.). Add fluid, (Refer to 19 - STEER-
ING/PUMP - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
ADJUSTMENTS
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.
BR/BE