Dodge D150 1990 Service Manual page 782

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STEERING 1 9 - 3
B e c a u s e o f the u n i q u e shaft b e a r i n g s , the dif-
ferent flow c o n t r o l l e v e l s a n d the different p u m p
d i s p l a c e m e n t s , R a m T r u c k a n d R a m c h a r g e r
p o w e r s t e e r i n g p u m p s a r e n o t interchangeable
w i t h p u m p s i n s t a l l e d i n other v e h i c l e s .
STEERING COLUMNS
DESCRIPTION
Two general types o f steering columns are installed
on R a m T r u c k a n d Ramcharger vehicles: a fixed,
non-tiltable c o l u m n a n d a t i l t a b l e column. The m u l t i -
position, t i l t a b l e c o l u m n i s optionally available.
The t i l t a b l e steering column has a "spring-loaded",
movable upper h o u s i n g t h a t provides multi-steering
wheel positions i n a v e r t i c a l plane.
The i g n i t i o n key/lock cylinder a n d t h e i g n i t i o n
switch are located i n t h e steering column. W h e n the
key/lock cylinder is t u r n e d t o the L O C K position, the
i g n i t i o n s w i t c h and t h e steering shaft cannot be op-
erated. For vehicles w i t h a n automatic transmission,
the lock mechanism also prevents operation o f the
column-mounted gear shift/selector mechanism.
The center, slip-type (telescoping) intermediate
shaft is attached t o t h e steering gear shaft w i t h a
flexible coupler a n d to t h e steering c o l u m n shaft
w i t h a universal j o i n t .
B o t h types of steering columns have anti-theft pro-
visions, plus they are energy-absorbing (i.e., collapse
f r o m impact i n t h e event o f a front-end collision).
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
Periodic l u b r i c a t i o n of t h e steering linkage b a l l
studs is a requirement, refer t o Group 0 — L u b r i c a t i o n
and Maintenance for the correct l u b r i c a n t specifica-
t i o n a n d t h e recommended t i m e interval/distance
schedule.
The tie-rod end "boot" seals can be replaced sepa-
r a t e l y a n d should always be inspected for damage
w h e n the vehicle chassis is lubricated.
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 s h o u l d b e tightened only w h e n the s u s -
p e n s i o n s y s t e m i s at the n o r m a l height a b o v e the
surface a n d w i t h the complete weight of the v e -
h i c l e o n 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 w i t h a p e t r o l e u m -
b a s e d l u b r i c a n t .
Safety goggles s h o u l d b e w o r n a t a l l times
w h e n i n v o l v e d w i t h p o w e r steering s e r v i c e .