Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 59

2 - 2 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE
•
The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front
sway during turns. The spring steel bar helps to con­
trol the vehicle body i n relationship to the suspen­
sion. The bar extends across the front underside of
the chassis and connects to the frame rails. Links are
connected from the bar to the axle brackets. Stabi­
lizer bar mounts are isolated by teflon lined rubber
bushings.
INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION (IFS)
(FIG 2,3)
Fig* 2 independent Front Suspension
Fig. 3 independent Front Suspension
• Upper and lower suspension arms
• Coil springs
• Shock absorbers
• Stabilizer bar
The suspension arms have replaceable ball• studs
which are pressed into the arms. Bushings located
inboard are not replaceable. The upper arm has a
pivot bar which mounts on a frame bracket. The
bracket has slotted holes this allows the arm to be
adjusted for caster and camber. The suspension arm
travel (jounce or rebound) is limited through the use
of rubber bumpers.
The coil springs control ride quality and maintain
proper ride height. The springs mount between the
lower suspension arm and the front cross member
spring seat. A rubber isolator seats on top off the
spring to help prevent noise.
The shock absorbers dampen jounce and rebound of
the vehicle over various road conditions. Shocks are
mounted on the bottom to the lower suspension
arms. The top of the shock mounts on frame brackets
using grommets.
The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front
sway during turns. The spring steel bar helps to con­
trol the vehicle body i n relationship to the suspen­
sion. The bar extends across the front underside of
the chassis and mounts on the frame rails. Links
connected the bar to the lower suspension arms. Sta­
bilizer bar mounts are isolated by rubber bushings.
Links are isolated with rubber grommet.
FRONT DRIVE AXLE
The integral type housing, has the centerline of the
pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear.
The axles are equipped with optional A.B.S. brake
system. The A.B.S. tone rings are pressed onto the
axle shaft near the hub and knuckle. For additional
information on the A.B.S. system refer to Group 5,
Brakes.
The Dana 44 and 60 axle has the assembly part
number and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is at­
tached to the housing cover (Fig. 4, 5). Build date
identification codes 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
pinion gear is fitted i n a bore i n the differential case
and is positioned at a right angle to the axle shafts.
I n operation, power flow occurs as follows:
• Pinion gear rotates the ring gear
• Ring gear (bolted to the differential case) rotates
the case
• Differential pinion gears (mounted on the pinion
mate shaft i n the case) rotate the side gears
• Side gears (splined to the axle shafts) rotate the
shafts
During straight-ahead driving, the differential pin­
ion gears do not rotate on the pinion mate shaft. This
occurs because input torque applied to the gears is
divided and distributed equally between the two side