Dodge Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500. Manual — part 32

7. Position the brake shield (1) on bolts just installed

in knuckle (2).

NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with a wheel
speed sensor (1) the brake shield must be posi-
tioned on the hub bearing (2).

8. Align the rotor hub with the drive shaft and start the shaft into the rotor hub splines.

NOTE: Position wheel speed sensor wire at the top of the knuckle if equipped.

9. Align the bolt holes in the hub bearing flange with the bolts installed in the knuckle. Then thread the bolts into the

bearing flange far enough to hold the assembly in place.

10. Install the remaining bolts. Tighten the hub/bearing bolts to 202 N·m (149 ft. lbs.

11. Install the washer and axle nut and tighten a beginning torque of 179 N·m (132 ft. lbs.).

12. Rotate the axle 5 to 10 times to seat the hub bearing.

13. Tighten to a final torque of 356 N·m (263 ft. lbs.).

14. Align the axle nut to the next forward cotter pin hole and install a new cotter pin in the axle nut.

15. Install the brake caliper, (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC BRAKE CALIPERS - INSTAL-

LATION).

16. Install the sensor wire to the steering knuckle and frame and if equipped. Connect the wheel speed sensor wire

under the hood.

17. Install the wheel and tire assemblies, (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

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18. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

19. Apply the brakes several times to seat the brake shoes and caliper piston. Do not move the vehicle until a firm

brake pedal is obtained.

LOWER BALL JOINT

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

LOWER BALL JOINT

To properly diagnose the lower ball joint two readings from the dial indicator are necessary, The two readings must
be added together to find a total ball joint movement as identified in the steps below.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

2. Attach a dial indicator (2) with the indicator resting

on the flat part of the steering knuckle (1) by the
lower ball stud.

3. Set the dial indicator (2) to zero.

NOTE: Use care not to damage the upper ball joint
grease seal (3).

4. Pry between the knuckle (4) and the axle tube

yoke next to the upper ball joint (2), Record the
reading on the dial indicator This will be the first
reading.

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FRONT - LINK/COIL

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5. Set the dial indicator (2) back to zero.

6. Set up a jackstand (3) and use a long prybar (1) to

lift the knuckle assembly

7. Pry upwards on the flat part of the steering knuckle

(5) next to the ball joint stud and nut (2) using the
jackstand as leverage. Record the reading on the
dial indicator This will be the second reading.

8. Add the two reading together for a total lower ball

joint movement, If this reading is above 2.29 mm
(0.090 in) then replacement of the lower ball joint is
necessary (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/
LOWER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).

REMOVAL

1. Remove lower snap ring from the lower ball joint.

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2. Position special tool 8975–2 (RECEIVER) (2) and

8975–4 (DRIVER) (4) with tool C4212–F (1) as
shown to remove lower ball stud.

INSTALLATION

1. Position special tool 8975–1 (DRIVER) (2) and

8975–3 (RECEIVER) (5) with C4212–F (1) as
shown to install lower ball stud (3).

UPPER BALL JOINT

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

UPPER BALL JOINT

To properly diagnose the upper ball joint two readings from the dial indicator are necessary, The two readings must
be added together to find a total ball joint movement as identified in the steps below.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

DR/DH

FRONT - LINK/COIL

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