rear axle DODGE RAM 1500 1998 2.G Repair Manual

AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Place transmission in neutral.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle.
(3) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(4) Remove brake caliper, adapter and rotor (Fig.
19).(5) Remove differential housing cover and drain
lubricant.
(6) Rotate differential case so pinion mate shaft
lock screw is accessible. Remove lock screw and pin-
ion mate shaft from differential case (Fig. 20).
FIXTURE 8136
TRAC-LOK TOOLS 8139
ARBOR DISCS 8541
PINION BLOCK 8542
Fig. 19 REAR ROTOR
1 - ROTOR
2 - CALIPER ADAPTER
3 - CALIPER
Fig. 20 PINION MATE SHAFT LOCK SCREW
1 - LOCK SCREW
2 - PINION MATE SHAFT
DRREAR AXLE - 9 1/4 3 - 93
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4 (Continued)

(7) Push axle shaft inward and remove axle shaft
C-lock from the axle shaft (Fig. 21).
(8) Remove axle shaft (Fig. 22) carefully to prevent
damage to the shaft bearing and seal in the axle
tube.
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate bearing bore and seal lip with gear
lubricant.
(2) Insall axle shaft and engage into side gear
splines.
NOTE: Use care to prevent shaft splines from dam-
aging axle shaft seal.(3) Insert C-lock in end of axle shaft then push
axle shaft outward to seat C-lock in side gear.
(4) Insert pinion shaft into differential case and
through thrust washers and differential pinions.
(5) Align hole in shaft with hole in the differential
case and install lock screw with Loctiteton the
threads. Tighten lock screw to 11 N´m (8 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install differential cover and fill with gear
lubricant to the bottom of the fill plug hole.
(7) Install brake rotor, caliper adapter and caliper.
(8) Install wheel and tire.
(9) Remove support and lower vehicle.
AXLE SHAFT SEALS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft.
(2) Remove axle shaft seal (Fig. 23) from the axle
tube with a small pry bar.
INSTALLATION
(1) Wipe the axle tube bore clean. Remove any old
sealer or burrs from the tube.
(2) Coat the lip of thenewseal with axle lubricant
and install a seal with Installer C-4076-B and Han-
dle C-4735-1.
NOTE: When tool contacts the axle tube, the seal is
installed to the correct depth.
Fig. 21 AXLE SHAFT C-LOCK
1 - C-LOCK
2 - AXLE SHAFT
3 - SIDE GEAR
Fig. 22 AXLE SHAFT
1 - AXLE SHAFT
2 - SUPPORT PLATE
3 - CALIPER
4 - PARK BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY
Fig. 23 AXLE SHAFT SEAL
1 - AXLE SEAL
2 - AXLE BEARING
3 - 94 REAR AXLE-91/4DR
AXLE SHAFTS (Continued)

(3) Install the axle shaft.
(4) Install differential cover and fill with gear
lubricant to the bottom of the fill plug hole.
AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft.
(2) Remove axle shaft seal from axle tube with a
small pry bar.
NOTE: The seal and bearing can be removed at the
same time with the bearing removal tool.
(3) Remove axle shaft bearing with Bearing
Remover 6310 and Foot 6310-9 (Fig. 24).
INSTALLATION
(1) Wipe the axle tube bore clean. Remove any old
sealer or burrs from the tube.
(2) Install axle shaft bearing with Installer C-4198
and Handle C-4171. Drive bearing in until tool con-
tacts the axle tube.
NOTE: Bearing is installed with the bearing part
number against the installer.(3) Coat the lip of thenewaxle seal with axle
lubricant and install with Installer C-4076-B and
Handle C-4735-1.
NOTE: When tool contacts the axle tube, the seal is
installed to the correct depth.
(4) Install the axle shaft.
(5) Install differential cover and fill with gear
lubricant to the bottom of the fill plug hole.
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Mark universal joint, companion flange and
pinion shaft for installation reference.
(2) Remove propeller shaft from the companion
flange.
(3) Remove the brake rotors to prevent any drag.
(4) Rotate companion flange three or four times
and record pinion rotating torque with an inch pound
torque wrench.
(5) Install two bolts into the companion flange
threaded holes, 180É apart. Position Holder 6719A
against the companion flange and install and tighten
two bolts and washers into the remaining holes.
(6) Hold the companion flange with Holder 6719A
and remove pinion nut and washer.
(7) Remove companion flange with Remover C-452
(Fig. 25).
Fig. 24 AXLE SHAFT BEARING REMOVER
1 - AXLE SHAFT TUBE
2 - NUT
3 - GUIDE PLATE
4 - GUIDE
5 - THREADED ROD
6 - ADAPTER
7 - FOOT
Fig. 25 COMPANION FLANGE PULLER
1 - COMPANION FLANGE
2 - PULLER
DRREAR AXLE - 9 1/4 3 - 95
AXLE SHAFT SEALS (Continued)

(8) Remove pinion seal with pry tool or slide-ham-
mer mounted screw.
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal.
(2) Installnewpinion seal with Installer C-3860-A
and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 26)
(3) Install companion flange on the end of the
shaft with the reference marks aligned.
(4) Install two bolts into the threaded holes in the
companion flange, 180É apart.
(5) Position Holder 6719 against the companion
flange and install a bolt and washer into one of the
remaining threaded holes. Tighten the bolts so holder
is held to the flange.
(6) Install companion flange on pinion shaft with
Installer C-3718 and Holder 6719.
(7) Install pinion washer and anewpinion nut.
The convex side of the washer must face outward.
CAUTION: Never exceed the minimum tightening
torque 285 N´m (210 ft. lbs.) when installing the
companion flange retaining nut at this point. Dam-
age to collapsible spacer or bearings may result.
(8) Hold companion flange with Holder 6719 and
tighten the pinion nut with a torque set to 285 N´m
(210 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 27). Rotate pinion several revolu-
tions to ensure the bearing rollers are seated.
(9) Rotate pinion with an inch pound torque
wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to the read-
ing recorded during removal plus an additional 0.56
N´m (5 in. lbs.) (Fig. 28).CAUTION: Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pin-
ion bearing rotating torque and never exceed spec-
ified preload torque. If rotating torque is exceeded,
a new collapsible spacer must be installed.
Fig. 26 PINION SEAL INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
3 - HOUSING
Fig. 27 TIGHTENING PINION NUT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - COMPANION FLANGE HOLDER
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 28 PINION ROTATION TORQUE
1 - COMPANION FLANGE
2 - TORQUE WRENCH
3 - 96 REAR AXLE-91/4DR
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(10) If rotating torque is low, use Holder 6719 to
hold the companion flange and tighten pinion nut in
6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) increments until proper rotating
torque is achieved.
NOTE: The bearing rotating torque should be con-
stant during a complete revolution of the pinion. If
the rotating torque varies, this indicates a binding
condition.
NOTE: The seal replacement is unacceptable if the
final pinion nut torque is less than 285 N´m (210 ft.
lbs.).
(11) Install propeller shaft with the installation
reference marks aligned.
(12) Tighten the companion flange bolts to 108
N´m (80 ft. lbs.).
(13) Install brake rotors.
(14) Check the differential lubricant level.
DIFFERENTIAL COVER
REMOVAL
(1) With vehicle in neutral, position vehicle on
hoist.
(2) Remove drain plug.
(3) Remove cover bolts.
(4) Remove cover and drain lubricant.
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a 6.35mm (1/4 in.) bead of Mopar Sili-
cone Rubber Sealant or equivalent to the housing
cover (Fig. 29).CAUTION: If housing cover is not installed within 3
to 5 minutes, the cover must be cleaned and new
RTV applied. Failure to heed caution may result in
damage.
(2) Install cover and identification tag. Tighten
cover bolts in a criss-cross pattern to 41 N´m (30 ft.
lbs.).
(3) Fill differential to specifications.
(4) Install fill plug.
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove filler plug from the differential cover.
(2) Remove differential cover and drain the lubri-
cant.
(3) Clean housing cavity with flushing oil, light
engine oil or a lint free cloth.
NOTE: Do not use steam, kerosene or gasoline to
clean the housing.
(4) Remove axle shafts.
(5) Remove RWAL/ABS sensor from housing.
NOTE: Side play resulting from bearing races being
loose on case hubs requires replacement of the dif-
ferential case.
(6) Mark differential housing and bearing caps for
installation reference (Fig. 30).
(7) Remove bearing threaded adjuster lock from
each bearing cap.
(8) Loosen differential bearing cap bolts.
Fig. 29 COVER SEALANT
1 - SEALANT
2 - DIFFERENTIAL COVER
Fig. 30 REFERENCE MARKS
1 - REFERENCE MARKS
2 - REFERENCE MARK
3 - BEARING CAPS
DRREAR AXLE - 9 1/4 3 - 97
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(9) Loosen differential bearing adjusters through
the axle tubes with Wrench C-4164 (Fig. 31).
(10) Hold differential case while removing bearing
caps and adjusters.
(11) Remove differential case.
NOTE: Tag the differential bearing cups and
threaded adjusters to indicate their location.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Rotate one pinion gear (2) with thrust washer
(3) (Fig. 32) to the differential window (1) and
remove gear and thrust washer.
(2) Rotate remaining pinion gear (3) with thrust
washer (2) (Fig. 33) to the differential window (1)
and remove gear and washer.
(3) Remove differential side gears (1) (2) and
thrust washers (Fig. 34).
Fig. 31 THREADED ADJUSTER TOOL
1 - AXLE TUBE
2 - BACKING PLATE
3 - THREAD ADJUSTER WRENCH
Fig. 32 FRIST PINION GEAR
1 - DIFFERNTIAL CASE WINDOW
2 - PINION GEAR
3 - THRUST WASHER
Fig. 33 SECOND PINION GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL WINDOW
2 - THRUST WASHER
3 - PINION GEAR
Fig. 34 SIDE GEARS
1 - SIDE GEAR
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - PINION GEARS
3 - 98 REAR AXLE-91/4DR
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

ASSEMBLY
NOTE: If same gears and thrust washers are being
used, install them into their original locations.
(1) Lubricate all differential components with axle
lubricant.
(2) Install differential side gears (2) and thrust
washers (Fig. 35).(3) Install first pinion gear (3) with thrust washer
into differential window (1) and side gears (2). Rotate
pinion gear into the case (Fig. 36).
(4) Install remaining pinion gear and thrust
washer. Rotate gears to align hole in the pinion gears
with hole in the differential case.
(5) Slide pinion shaft (4) into the case and through
the pinion gears (3) to align the gears (Fig. 37).
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a coating of hypoid gear lubricant to the
differential bearings, bearing cups, and threaded
adjusters. A dab of grease can be used to keep the
adjusters in position.
(2) Install differential assembly into the housing.
(3) Install differential bearing caps in their origi-
nal locations (Fig. 38).
(4) Install bearing cap bolts and tighten the upper
bolts to 14 N´m (10 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower bolts
finger-tight until the bolt head is seated.
(5) Perform the differential bearing preload and
adjustment procedure.
NOTE: Be sure that all bearing cap bolts are tight-
ened to their final torque of 136 N´m (100 ft.lbs.)
before proceeding.
(6) Install axle shafts.
(7) Apply a bead of orange Mopar Axle RTV Seal-
ant or equivalent to the housing cover (Fig. 39).
Fig. 35 SIDE GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL WINDOW
2 - SIDE GEAR
Fig. 36 PINION GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL WINDOW
2 - SIDE GEARS
3 - PINION GEAR
Fig. 37 PINION SHAFT
1 - PINION SHAFT SNAP-RING
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - PINION SHAFT
DRREAR AXLE - 9 1/4 3 - 99
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

CAUTION: If cover is not installed within 3 to 5 min-
utes, the cover must be cleaned and new RTV
applied or adhesion quality will be compromised.
(8) Install the cover and any identification tag and
tighten cover bolts to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(9) Fill differential with lubricant to bottom of the
fill plug hole. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications
for the correct quantity and type.
NOTE: Trac-lokŸ differential equipped vehicles
should be road tested by making 10 to 12 slow fig-
ure-eight turns. This maneuver will pump the lubri-
cant through the clutch discs to eliminate a
possible chatter noise complaint.
DIFFERENTIAL-TRAC-LOK
DESCRIPTION
The optional Trac-Loktdifferential case has a one-
piece design and the similar internal components as
a standard differential, plus two clutch disc pack-
s.The differential pinion mate shaft is retained with
a threaded pin. Differential bearing preload and ring
gear backlash are set and maintained by threaded
adjusters at the outside of the differential housing.
Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the
use of a collapsible spacer. The removable differential
cover provides a means for inspection and service.
OPERATION
This differential clutches are engaged by two con-
current forces. The first being the preload force
exerted through Belleville spring washers within the
clutch packs. The second is the separating forces gen-
erated by the side gears as torque is applied through
the ring gear (Fig. 40).
This design provides the differential action needed
for turning corners and for driving straight ahead
during periods of unequal traction. When one wheel
looses traction, the clutch packs transfer additional
torque to the wheel having the most traction. This
differential resist wheel spin on bumpy roads and
provide more pulling power when one wheel looses
traction. Pulling power is provided continuously until
both wheels loose traction. If both wheels slip due to
unequal traction, Trac-loktoperation is normal. In
extreme cases of differences of traction, the wheel
with the least traction may spin.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
The most common problem is a chatter noise when
turning corners. Before removing the unit for repair,
drain, flush and refill the axle with the specified
lubricant. Add a container of Mopar Limited Slip
Additive after repair service or during a lubricant
change.
After changing the lubricant, drive the vehicle and
make 10 to 12 slow, figure-eight turns. This maneu-
ver will pump lubricant through the clutches. This
will correct the condition in most instances. If the
chatter persists, clutch damage could have occurred.
Fig. 38 BEARING CAPS
1 - REFERENCE MARKS
2 - REFERENCE MARKS
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK
4 - BEARING CAP
Fig. 39 COVER SEALANT
1 - SEALANT
2 - DIFFERENTIAL COVER
3 - 100 REAR AXLE-91/4DR
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

DIFFERENTIAL TEST
The differential can be tested without removing the
differential case by measuring rotating torque. Make
sure brakes are not dragging during this measure-
ment.
(1) Place blocks in front and rear of both front
wheels.
(2) Raise one rear wheel until it is completely off
the ground.
(3) Engine off, transmission in neutral, and park-
ing brake off.
(4) Remove wheel and bolt Special Tool 6790 or
equivalent tool to studs.
(5) Use torque wrench on special tool to rotate
wheel and read rotating torque (Fig. 41).
(6) If rotating torque is less than 41 N´m (30 ft.
lbs.) or more than 271 N´m (200 ft. lbs.) on either
wheel the unit should be serviced.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Clamp Holding Fixture 8136 in vise and set
differential case on fixture (Fig. 42).
(2) Remove pinion gear mate shaft screw.
(3) Remove pinion gear mate shaft.
Fig. 40 TRAC-LOK LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
1 - CASE
2 - RING GEAR
3 - DRIVE PINION
4 - PINION GEAR
5 - MATE SHAFT
6 - CLUTCH PACK
7 - SIDE GEAR
8 - CLUTCH PACK
Fig. 41 ROTATING TORQUE TEST
1 - SPECIAL TOOL WITH BOLT IN CENTER HOLE
2 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 42 DIFFERENTIAL CASE FIXTURE
1 - HOLDING FIXTURE
2 - VISE
3 - DIFFERENTIAL
DRREAR AXLE - 9 1/4 3 - 101
DIFFERENTIAL-TRAC-LOK (Continued)

(4) Lubricate and install disc, that is not threaded
from Trac-LoktTool Kit 8139 into the lower side gear
(Fig. 43).
(5) Install threaded disc from Trac-LoktTool Kit
8139 into top side gear. Thread forcing screw from
Trac-LoktTool Kit C-4487 through top disc until it
comes in contact with lower disc.
(6) Position a small screw driver in slot of top disc
(Fig. 44) to prevent disc from turning.
(7) Tighten forcing screw to 122 N´m (90 ft. lbs.)
maximum to compress Belleville springs in clutch
packs (Fig. 45).
(8) With a feeler gauge remove thrust washers
from behind the pinion gears (Fig. 46).
(9) Insert turning bar from tool kit into pinion
mate shaft hole in the case (Fig. 47).
Fig. 43 ADAPTER DISC
1 - LOWER SIDE GEAR
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - DISC
Fig. 44 THREAD ADAPTER DISC
1 - SOCKET
2 - SLOT IN DISC
3 - SCREWDRIVER
4 - DISC
5 - FORCING SCREW
6 - THREADED DISC
Fig. 45 COMPRESS BELLEVILLE SPRING
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - FORCING SCREW
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - 102 REAR AXLE-91/4DR
DIFFERENTIAL-TRAC-LOK (Continued)