Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 108

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REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE 3 - 1
REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE
C O N T E N T S
page
9 1/4 AXLE 9
AXLE NOISE/VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS 5
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS MODEL 60,
70 AND 80 52
GENERAL INFORMATION 1
MODEL 60, 70 and 80 AXLES 25
page
REAR SUSPENSION—2WD and 4WD
VEHICLES 3
SPECIFICATIONS 91/4 INCH AXLE 24
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 52
TRAC-LOK/POWER-LOI DIFFERENTIAL 44
GENERAL INFORMATION
SUSPENSION
Rear suspensions are comprised of (Fig. 1);
• Drive axle
• Leaf springs
• Dual-action shock absorbers
• Jounce bumpers (used to limit the travel of the
suspension)
SWING
CLAMP PLATE J f 4 0 3 - 5 5
Fig. 1 Rear Suspension (Typical)
The Ram Truck is equipped with leaf-type rear
springs. The springs have a rubber bushing pressed
into their main leaf front and rear eye. Model 1500,
2500 and 3500 vehicle have two stage leaf spring.
The 3500 cab-chassis vehicles have a single stage
spring with a auxiliary spring. The spring assemblies
are serviced as a complete unit.
AXLES
The 9 1/4-Inch and Model 60, 70 and 80 axle hous­
ings consist of a cast iron center section. They also
have two steel axle shaft tubes that are pressed into
and welded to the differential housing.
The removable steel cover provides a means for in­
spection and service without removing the axle from
the vehicle.
The axle are equipped with a remote vent fitting.
A stamped metal axle gear ratio identification tag
is attached to the housing cover.
The rear wheel anti-lock (RWAL) or four wheel an­
ti-lock (ABS) brake speed sensor is mounted on top of
the differential housing. A seal is located between the
sensor and the wire harness connector. The seal
must be in-place when the wire connector is
connected to the sensor. The RWAL/ABS brake ex­
citer ring is press-fitted onto the differential case
against the flange.
A limited-slip differential is available for all rear
axles. The Model 60 and 9 1/4 use a Trac-Lok differ­
ential. The Model 70 and 80 use the Power-Lok dif­
ferential. The Trac-Lok differential uses a one-piece
case while the Power-Lok differential uses a two-
piece case.
IDENTIFICATION
The axle differential covers can be used for identi­
fication (Fig. 2, 3 and 4).
Model 60 70 and 80 axles have the gear ratio listed
on a tag. The tag is attached to the left side of the
housing cover (Fig. 3, 4). Build date identification
codes on axles are stamped on the axle shaft tube
cover side.
STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL OPERATION
The differential gear system divides the torque be­
tween the axle shafts. I t allows the axle shafts to ro­
tate at different speeds when turning corners.
Each differential side gear is splined to an axle
shaft. The pinion gears are mounted on a pinion
mate shaft and are free to rotate on the shaft. The