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FRONT SUSPENSION
2 - 15
(13) I n s t a l l t h e wheel/tire a n d t h e wheel cover.
Raise the vehicle, remove t h e supports, lower the ve-
hicle and remove the block f r o m t h e brake pedal.
(14) T i g h t e n the shock absorber stud n u t w i t h 34
N*m (25 ft-lbs) torque and the lower attaching bolts
w i t h 23 N-m (17 ft-lbs/200 in-lbs) torque.
(15) Test the vehicle brakes and the front suspen-
sion for proper operation.
MODEL 4 4 FRONT A X L E S E R V I C E — 4 W D V E H I C L E S
INDEX
Page
Complete Axle Removal/Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Differential Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Disconnect Axle Vacuum Control System Service . 25
Drag Link Removal/Installation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
General Information
15
Left (Disconnect) Axle Shaft Service
21
Lubricant
50
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Model 44 front axle used for Ram T r u c k and
Ramcharger
vehicles equipped
for standard duty
4 W D operation has a hypoid gear differential and the
centerline of the drive p i n i o n gear shaft is located be-
low the centerline of the r i n g gear. The differential
housing is a n i r o n casting w i t h tubes "pressed" into
and welded t o i t to produce a one-piece axle housing.
A removable stamped steel cover is attached to the
differential housing to allow v i s u a l inspection of the
differential w i t h o u t r e m o v i n g t h e complete axle from
t h e vehicle.
A small m e t a l t a g is attached t o t h e differential
housing (by one of the cover screws) to identify the
axle ratio. T h i s t a g is stamped w i t h the number of
teeth on the drive p i n i o n and r i n g gear, and the axle
ratio.
The drive p i n i o n gear shaft is supported by t w o
"preloaded", tapered roller bearings. The i n n e r bear-
i n g has a t i g h t "press-fit" on t h e drive p i n i o n gear
shaft. The outer bearing has a l i g h t "press-fit"-to-a
close " s l i d i n g - f i t " on the shaft. T h e outer and inner
bearing cups are "press-fitted" against a shoulder
t h a t is recessed i n the d i f f e r e n t i a l housing.
The drive p i n i o n gear depth o f mesh ( w i t h the r i n g
gear) adjustment is controlled b y shims, w h i c h are
installed between the i n n e r d r i v e p i n i o n gear shaft
bearing cup and the differential housing shoulder.
The
drive
p i n i o n gear shaft
b e a r i n g
"preload"
torque is m a i n t a i n e d b y p l a c i n g appropriate thick-
ness of shims between the d i f f e r e n t i a l housing shoul-
der and the outer bearing.
The differential case is supported b y t w o tapered,
roller bearings t h a t are "press-fitted" on t h e differen-
t i a l case hubs. The shims placed between the bearing
and the differential case h u b shoulder provide three
functions:
Page
Right Axle Shaft Removal/Installation
20
Rotor/Hub and Bearing Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Shift Motor Service
29
Stabilizer Bar Removal/Installation
31
Steering Knuckle Arm Removal/Installation
29
Steering Knuckle, Spindle and Ball Stud Service
. 16
Tie-Rod End Replacement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
U-Joint Service
20
• they eliminate the differential case "side play";
• they adjust and m a i n t a i n t h e "backlash" between
the r i n g gear and the drive p i n i o n gear; and
• they establish a means for obtaining and t h e n re-
t a i n i n g the differential bearing "preload" torque.
The axle shaft disconnect housing is welded t o the
left axle shaft tube between t h e differential housing
and the spring pad. A splined, two-piece axle shaft is
located on t h e left side and i t is mechanically en-
gaged or disengaged b y a shift collar t h a t is moved
by a vacuum shift motor controlled shift fork. The
shift motor is operated b y v a c u u m t h a t is controlled
by a vacuum switch located a t the transfer case.
CAUTION: Whenever front axle service is neces-
sary, or when the axle is being rotated via the en-
gine or other means, raise all four wheels off the
surface.
R0T0R/HUB AND BEARING SERVICE
REMOVAL/DISASSEMBLY
(1)
Block
t h e brake
pedal
i n t h e " u p " (non-
depressed) position. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Po-
sition supports a t t h e extreme
front ends o f the
frame rails and lower the hoist. Remove the applica-
ble wheel cover and wheel/tire.
(2) Remove the brake caliper retainer and t h e anti-
r a t t l e spring. Remove the brake caliper from the disc
rotor by s l i d i n g i t out and t h e n away from the rotor.
I f necessary, refer t o Group 5—Brakes for removal
information.
Support
t h e brake
caliper out-
of-the-way. D o n o t a l l o w t h e c a l i p e r t o h a n g f r o m
o r b e s u p p o r t e d b y t h e b r a k e f l u i d h o s e . Remove
the inboard brake pad.
(3) Remove the dust cap and the d r i v i n g h u b snap
r i n g .
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