Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 1631

19 - 38 LINKAGE - 2WD
LINKAGE - 2WD
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
STANDARD PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
LUBRICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
LINKAGE - 2WD
DESCRIPTION
Light duty (LD) and heavy duty (HD) steering link-
age is used with IFS suspensions. The linkage is
comprised of a idler arm, pitman arm, center link
and tie rod ends. Heavy duty linkage is used on 8800
and 10500 lb. GVW vehicles.
CAUTION: If any steering components are replaced
or serviced an alignment must be performed.
NOTE: When servicing the steering linkage, use
care to avoid damaging ball stud seals. Use Puller
C-3894–A or an appropriate puller to remove tie rod
ends (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Tie Rod End
1 - CLAMP
2 - ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE
3 - PULLER TOOL C-3894–A
4 - SEAL
5 - TIE-ROD END
LINKAGE - 2WD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SPECIAL TOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LUBRICATION
Periodic lubrication of the idler arm is required.
Refer to Lubrication And Maintenance for the recom-
mended maintenance schedule.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the nut from the tie-rod.
(2) Remove the tie-rod end ball studs from the
steering knuckles with an appropriate puller.
(3) Remove inner tie-rod ends from center link .
(4) Remove idler arm stud from center link with
an appropriate puller. Remove the idler arm bolt
from frame bracket.
(5) Remove pitman arm ball stud from center link.
(6) Mark the pitman arm and shaft positions for
installation reference. Remove pitman arm with
Puller C-4150A (Fig. 2).
1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150-A
3 - WRENCH
Fig. 2 Pitman Arm
BR/BE
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