Dodge Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500. Manual — part 26

5. Remove the tie rod end nut. Separate the tie rod from the knuckle with Remover 8677.

CAUTION: When installing Remover 8677 to separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball joint
seal.

6. Remove the lower ball joint nut. Separate the ball

joint from the knuckle with Remover 8677 and
remove the knuckle.

7. Remove the upper ball joint nut. Separate the ball

joint from the knuckle (1) with Remover 8677 (2)

8. Remove the hub/bearing from the steering knuckle

(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/HUB / BEAR-
ING - REMOVAL).

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The ball joint stud tapers must be
CLEAN and DRY before installing the knuckle.
Clean the stud tapers with mineral spirits to
remove dirt and grease.

NOTE: When installing hub/bearing with ABS
brakes,

position

the

speed

sensor

opening

towards the front of the vehicle.

1. Install the hub/bearing to the steering knuckle (1)

and tighten the bolts to 163 N·m (120 ft. lbs.)(LD)
or 176 N·m (130 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2).

2. Install the knuckle (1) onto the upper and lower ball

joints.

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FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION

DR/DH

3. Install the upper and lower ball joint nuts (3). Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.) (on 1500

series only an additional 90° turn is required) and the lower ball joint nut (3) to 52 N·m (38 ft. lbs.)(on 1500 series
only an additional 90° turn is required)(LD) or 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.)(HD 4X2).

4. Remove the hydraulic jack from the lower suspension arm.

5. Install the tie rod end and tighten the nut to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.).

6. Install the front halfshaft into the hub/bearing (if equipped).

7. Install the the halfshaft nut and tighten to 251 N·m (185 ft. lbs.) (if equipped).

8. Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/ELECTRICAL/FRONT WHEEL SPEED

SENSOR - INSTALLATION) and brake shield, rotor and caliper (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANI-
CAL/ROTORS - INSTALLATION).

9. Install the wheel and tire assembly (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

10. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

11. Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

LOWER BALL JOINT

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

LOWER BALL JOINT

1. Raise the front of the vehicle. Place safety floor stands under both lower control arms as far outboard as pos-

sible. Lower the vehicle to allow the stands to support some or all of the vehicle weight.

2. Mount a dial indicator solidly to the topside of the lower control arm and then zero the dial indicator.

3. Position the indicator plunger against the bottom surface of the steering knuckle.

NOTE: The dial indicator plunger must be perpendicular to the machined surface of the steering knuckle.

4. Position a pry bar under the tire assembly. Pry upwards on the tire assembly.

5. If the travel exceeds 0.5 mm (0.020 in.), replace the lower ball joint (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/LOWER

BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).

REMOVAL

1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

2. Remove the brake caliper and rotor (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - REMOVAL).

3. Disconnect the tie rod from the steering knuckle (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/TIE ROD END -

REMOVAL).

4. Remove the lower ball joint nut and seperate the

lower ball joint from the steering knuckle (1) using
special tool 8677 (2) (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/KNUCKLE - REMOVAL).

DR/DH

FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION

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5. Move the halfshaft to the side and support the half-

shaft out of the way (If Equipped).

6. Remove the snap ring, from the lower control arm

(HD 4X2 only)

NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure
proper operation during the removal and installa-
tion process.

7. Press the ball joint (3) from the lower control arm

using special tools C-4212–F (PRESS) (1), 8698-2
(RECEIVER) (4) and 8698-3 (DRIVER) (2).

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure
proper operation during the removal and installa-
tion process.

1. Install the ball joint (3) into the control arm (4) and

press in using special tools C-4212–F (press) (1),
8698-1 (driver) (2) and 8698-3 (receiver) (5).

2. Install the ball joint boot.

3. Stake the ball joint flange in four evenly spaced

places around the ball joint flange, using a chisel
and hammer (LD only).

4. Replace the snap ring (HD 4X2 only)

5. Remove the support for the halfshaft and install into position (If Equipped).

6. Install the steering knuckle (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - INSTALLATION).

7. Install the tie rod end into the steering knuckle (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/TIE ROD END - INSTALLA-

TION).

8. Install and tighten the halfshaft nut to 251 N·m (185 ft. lbs.). (If Equipped).

9. Install the brake caliper and rotor (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLA-

TION).

10. Install the tire and wheel assembly (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

11. Check the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

12. Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

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FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION

DR/DH

LOWER CONTROL ARM

REMOVAL

LOWER CONTROL ARM - 4X4 (LD)

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

3. Remove the upper ball joint nut. Separate ball joint from the steering knuckle with Remover 8677.

4. Remove the front halfshaft, (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF SHAFT - REMOVAL).

5. Remove the torsion bar, (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/TRACK BAR - REMOVAL).

6. Remove the shock absorber lower bolt.

7. Remove the stabilizer bar link (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER LINK - REMOVAL).

8. Remove the lower ball joint nut. Separate ball joint

from the steering knuckle with Remover 8677 (2).

9. Remove the control arm pivot bolts (3&5) and sus-

pension arm (1) from frame rail brackets.

LOWER CONTROL ARM - 4X2

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.

3. Support the lower control arm at the outboard side of the lower control arm to support vehicle weight.

DR/DH

FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION

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