Dodge D150 1990 Service Manual page 71

2 - 2 FRONT SUSPENSION •
DESCRIPTION—4WD VEHICLES
A l l four-wheel drive (4WD) R a m T r u c k a n d Ram-
charger vehicles are equipped w i t h a leaf-spring op-
erated f r o n t suspension system ( F i g . 2). T h e leaf
springs are t h e fixed-rate type a n d are attached t o
the frame side r a i l brackets a n d t o t h e front axle.
The f r o n t l e a f springs are attached to t h e axle
shaft tubes a t t h e s p r i n g pads b y U-bolts a n d n u t s
(Fig. 2).
The housing for Model 44 and Model 60 front axles
consists o f a n i r o n center casting (differential hous-
ing) w i t h axle shaft tubes e x t e n d i n g from either side.
The axle shaft tubes are pressed i n t o and welded t o
the d i f f e r e n t i a l housing t o f o r m a one-piece axle
housing. B o t h axles have a h y p o i d gear differential
and t h e centerline of t h e drive p i n i o n gear shaft is
located below t h e centerline o f t h e r i n g gear. The re-
movable, stamped steel cover located a t t h e front o f
the d i f f e r e n t i a l housing provides a means for inspec-
tion and for d i f f e r e n t i a l service w i t h o u t removing t h e
complete f r o n t axle from t h e vehicle.
A s m a l l , stamped m e t a l axle gear ratio identifica-
t i o n t a g is attached t o t h e housing cover v i a one o f
the cover bolts. T h i s t a g also identifies t h e n u m b e r o f
r i n g gear a n d d r i v e p i n i o n gear teeth.
Refer t o G r o u p 17—Springs A n d Shock Absorbers
for service i n f o r m a t i o n i n v o l v i n g the leaf springs and
the shock absorbers.
SERVICE INFORMATION
The lower b a l l studs ( 2 W D vehicles) should be r e -
placed i f more t h a n 0.020 i n c h "end p l a y " exists.
The tie-rod e n d b a l l stud seals are serviced sepa-
r a t e l y a n d s h o u l d be inspected for damage a t t h e
same t i m e t h e engine o i l is changed. Refer t o Group
19—Steering f o r a d d i t i o n a l service i n f o r m a t i o n .
A l l front s u s p e n s i o n components t h a t c o n t a i n
r u b b e r (e.g., b u s h i n g s ) s h o u l d b e tightened w h i l e
the s u s p e n s i o n i s a t the n o r m a l height a b o v e t h e
s u r f a c e (refer t o t h e Specifications c h a r t ) a n d
w i t h t h e full w e i g h t of the vehicle s u p p o r t e d b y
the wheels/tires.
R u b b e r b u s h i n g s s h o u l d n e v e r b e l u b r i c a t e d .
Fig. 2 Front Suspension—4 WD Vehicles (Typical)