Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 64

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FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 7
ALiGNlENT AND ADJUST1ENTS LINK/COIL
SUSPENSION
Before each alignment reading the vehicle should
be jounced (rear first, then front). Grasp each
bumper at the center and jounce the vehicle up and
down several times. Always release the bumper i n
the down position. Set the front end alignment to
specifications while the vehicle is i n its NOR­
MALLY LOADED C O N D I T I O N .
GAMBem
The wheel camber angle is preset at NEGATIVE
0.25 DEGREES (-0.25°). The angle is not adjustable
and cannot be altered.
C A S T E R
Check the caster of the front axle for correct angle.
Be sure the axle is not bent or twisted. Road test the
vehicle and make left and right turn. Observe the
steering wheel return-to-center position. Low caster
will cause poor steering wheel returnability.
Caster can be adjusted by rotating the cams on the
lower suspension arm (Fig. 3). Refer to the Align­
ment Specification Chart for the correct setting.
J9302-59
Fig. 3 Cam Adjuster
TOE POSITION
The wheel toe position adjustment should be the fi­
nal adjustment.
(1) Start the engine and turn wheels both ways be­
fore straightening the wheels. Secure the steering
wheel with front wheels i n a straight-ahead position
and turn off engine.
(2) Loosen the adjustment sleeve clamp bolts.
(3) Adjust the right wheel toe position with the
drag link (Fig. 4). Turn the sleeve until the right
wheel is at the 0.12 degrees (0.12°) TOE-IN position.
Position clamp bolts to their original position and
tighten to 49 N-m (36 ft. lbs.) torque. Make sure the
toe setting does not change during clamp tight­
ening.
Fig. 4 Drag Link Adjustment
(4) Adjust left wheel toe position with tie rod at
left knuckle. Turn the sleeve until the left wheel is at
the 0.12 degrees (0.12°) TOE-IN position. Position
clamp bolts to their original position and tighten to
27 N-m (20 ft. lbs.) torque. Make sure the toe set­
ting does not change during clamp tightening.
(5) Verify the right toe setting.
CAB-CHASSIS ALIGNMENT
Cab-Chassis vehicles use Link/Coil Suspension. To
determine the correct caster alignment angle for Cab-
Chassis vehicles the following procedure must be per­
formed.
(1) Take a height measurement to the center of the
front gauge hole i n the frame. Take another at the
center of the rear spring hanger bolt (Fig. 5).
(2) Subtract the front measurement from the rear
measurement. Use this number with the Caster Cor­
rection Chart to get the correction value (Fig. 6).
(3) Measure the radius of the front and rear tires.
Take this measurement on both sides. Subtract the
front measurement from the rear measurement for
both sides. Use the average of both numbers with the
Caster Correction Chart to get the correction value
(Fig. 6).
(4) Add the two caster correction values together.
Then subtract this from 4.5 for 4x2 or 4.0 for 4x4 ve­
hicles. This will be the preferred caster measure­
ment.
PRE-ALIGNMENT INSPECTION IFS SUSPENSION
Before starting a front wheel alignment, the follow­
ing inspection and necessary corrections must be
completed.