transmission DODGE RAM 2001 Service Owner's Manual

FLUID FILL LOCATIONS AND LUBRICATION
POINTS
The fluid fill/check locations and lubrication points
are located in each applicable group.
SCHEDULE ªAº
7,500 Miles (12 000 km) or at 6 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
15,000 Miles (24 000 km) or at 12 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
22,500 Miles (36 000 km) or at 18 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect brake linings.
30,000 Miles (48 000 km) or at 24 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Flush and replace engine coolant if not done at
36 months.
37,500 Miles (60 000 km) or at 30 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
45,000 Miles (72 000 km) or at 36 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if not done at
24 months
52,500 Miles (84 000 km) or at 42 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
60,000 Miles (96 000 km) or at 48 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
67,500 Miles (108 000 km) or at 54 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect brake linings.
75,000 Miles (120 000 km) or at 60 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
82,500 Miles (132 000 km) or at 66 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
90,000 Miles (144 000 km) or at 72 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belt, replace as required.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
97,500 Miles (156 000 km) or at 78 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
BR/BELUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 23
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
105,000 Miles (168 000 km) or at 84 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
112,500 Miles (181 000 km) or at 90 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace if necessary.
²Inspect brake linings.
120,000 Miles (193 000 km) or at 96 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
127,500 Miles (205 000 km) or at 102 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
135,000 Miles (217 000 km) or at 108 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant if it has been
30,000 miles (48 000 km) or 24 months since last
change.
142,500 Miles (229 000 km) or at 114 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
150,000 Miles (241 000 km) or at 150 months
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Adjust valve lash clearance.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
SCHEDULE ªBº
Follow this schedule if you usually operate your
vehicle under one or more of the following conditions.
²Frequent short driving less than 5 miles (8 km);
²Frequent driving in dusty conditions;
²Frequent trailer towing;
²Extensive idling;
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained
high speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
3,750 Miles (6 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
7,500 Miles (12 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
11,250 Miles (18 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
15,000 Miles (24 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
18,750 Miles (30 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
22,500 Miles (36 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
0 - 24 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

26,250 Miles (42 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
30,000 Miles (48 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack,
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
33,700 Miles (54 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
37,500 Miles (60 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
41,250 Miles (66 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
45,000 Miles (72 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
48,750 Miles (78,000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
52,500 Miles (84 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
56,250 Miles (90 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
60,000 Miles (96 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant.
63,750 Miles (102 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
67,500 Miles (108 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
71,250 Miles (114 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
75,000 Miles (120 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
78,750 Miles (126 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
82,500 Miles (132 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
BR/BELUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 25
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

86,250 Miles (138 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
90,000 Miles (144 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²
Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sensor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
93,750 Miles (150 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
97,500 Miles (156 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Flush and replace engine coolant.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Adjust rear brakes.
101,250 Miles (162 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
105,000 Miles (168 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
108,750 Miles (174 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
112,500 Miles (180 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.²
Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sensor.
116,250 Miles (186 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
120,000 Miles (192 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Inspect fan hub.
²Inspect damper.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect front wheel bearings. Clean and repack
if required (4x2).
²Inspect brake linings.
123,750 Miles (198 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
127,500 Miles (204 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
131,250 Miles (210 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
135,000 Miles (216 000 km)
²Change engine oil and filter.
²Drain crankcase breather canister (if equipped).
²Clean inside of engine air cleaner element hous-
ing.
²Inspect drive belts, replace as necessary.
²Inspect water pump weep hole for blockage.
²Replace fuel filter and clean water in fuel sen-
sor.
²Adjust valve lash clearance
²Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid.
Replace filter and adjust bands.
²Drain and refill transfer case fluid.
²Change rear axle fluid.
²Change front axle fluid (4x4).
²Inspect brake linings.
²Flush and replace engine coolant.
²Adjust rear brakes
Inspection and service should also be performed
anytime a malfunction is observed or suspected.
0 - 26 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES (Continued)

JUMP STARTING
STANDARD PROCEDURE
WARNING: REVIEW ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
AND WARNINGS IN GROUP 8A, BATTERY/START-
ING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS. DO NOT
JUMP START A FROZEN BATTERY, PERSONAL
INJURY CAN RESULT. DO NOT JUMP START WHEN
MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY INDICATOR DOT IS
YELLOW OR BRIGHT COLOR. DO NOT JUMP
START A VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY FLUID IS
BELOW THE TOP OF LEAD PLATES. DO NOT
ALLOW JUMPER CABLE CLAMPS TO TOUCH
EACH OTHER WHEN CONNECTED TO A BOOSTER
SOURCE. DO NOT USE OPEN FLAME NEAR BAT-
TERY. REMOVE METALLIC JEWELRY WORN ON
HANDS OR WRISTS TO AVOID INJURY BY ACCI-
DENTAL ARCING OF BATTERY CURRENT. WHEN
USING A HIGH OUTPUT BOOSTING DEVICE, DO
NOT ALLOW BATTERY VOLTAGE TO EXCEED 16
VOLTS. REFER TO INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED
WITH DEVICE BEING USED.
CAUTION: When using another vehicle as a
booster, do not allow vehicles to touch. Electrical
systems can be damaged on either vehicle.
TO JUMP START A DISABLED VEHICLE:
(1) Raise hood on disabled vehicle and visually
inspect engine compartment for:
²Battery cable clamp condition, clean if necessary.
²Frozen battery.
²Yellow or bright color test indicator, if equipped.
²Low battery fluid level.
²Generator drive belt condition and tension.
²Fuel fumes or leakage, correct if necessary.
CAUTION: If the cause of starting problem on dis-
abled vehicle is severe, damage to booster vehicle
charging system can result.
(2) When using another vehicle as a booster
source, park the booster vehicle within cable reach.
Turn off all accessories, set the parking brake, place
the automatic transmission in PARK or the manual
transmission in NEUTRAL and turn the ignition
OFF.(3) On disabled vehicle, place gear selector in park
or neutral and set park brake. Turn off all accesso-
ries.
(4) Connect jumper cables to booster battery. RED
clamp to positive terminal (+). BLACK clamp to neg-
ative terminal (-). DO NOT allow clamps at opposite
end of cables to touch, electrical arc will result.
Review all warnings in this procedure.
(5) On disabled vehicle, connect RED jumper cable
clamp to positive (+) terminal. Connect BLACK
jumper cable clamp to engine ground as close to the
ground cable attaching point as possible (Fig. 7)and
(Fig. 8).
(6) Start the engine in the vehicle which has the
booster battery, let the engine idle a few minutes,
then start the engine in the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery.
CAUTION: Do not crank starter motor on disabled
vehicle for more than 15 seconds, starter will over-
heat and could fail.
(7) Allow battery in disabled vehicle to charge to
at least 12.4 volts (75% charge) before attempting to
start engine. If engine does not start within 15 sec-
onds, stop cranking engine and allow starter to cool
(15 min.), before cranking again.
Fig. 7 Jumper Cable Clamp ConnectionsÐGas
Engine
1 - NEGATIVE OR GROUND CABLE CONNECTION
2 - POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION
3 - BATTERY
BR/BELUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE 0 - 27

DISCONNECT CABLE CLAMPS AS FOLLOWS:
²Disconnect BLACK cable clamp from engine
ground on disabled vehicle.
²When using a Booster vehicle, disconnect
BLACK cable clamp from battery negative terminal.
Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery positive
terminal.
²Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery posi-
tive terminal on disabled vehicle.
HOISTING
STANDARD PROCEDURE
Refer to the Owner's Manual for emergency vehicle
lifting procedures.
WARNING: THE HOISTING AND JACK LIFTING
POINTS PROVIDED ARE FOR A COMPLETE VEHI-
CLE. WHEN A CHASSIS OR DRIVETRAIN COMPO-
NENT IS REMOVED FROM A VEHICLE, THE
CENTER OF GRAVITY IS ALTERED MAKING SOME
HOISTING CONDITIONS UNSTABLE. PROPERLY
SUPPORT (Fig. 9) OR SECURE VEHICLE TO HOIST-
ING DEVICE WHEN THESE CONDITIONS EXIST.
FLOOR JACK
When properly positioned, a floor jack can be used
to lift a vehicle (Fig. 10). Support the vehicle in the
raised position with jack stands at the front and rear
ends of the frame rails (Fig. 9).CAUTION: Do not lift vehicle with a floor jack posi-
tioned under:
²An axle tube.
²A body side sill.
²A steering linkage component.
²A drive shaft.
²The engine or transmission oil pan.
²The fuel tank.
²A front suspension arm.
NOTE: Use the correct frame rail lifting locations
only (Fig. 11).
HOIST
A vehicle can be lifted with:
²A single-post, frame-contact hoist.
²A twin-post, chassis hoist.
²A ramp-type, drive-on hoist.
Fig. 8 Jumper Cable Clamp ConnectionsÐDiesel
Engine
1 - POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTION
2 - BATTERY
3 - NEGATIVE OR GROUND CABLE CONNECTION
Fig. 9 Safety Stands
1 - SAFETY STANDS
0 - 28 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
JUMP STARTING (Continued)

²Do not tow a vehicle in a manner that could
jeopardize the safety of the operator, pedestrians or
other motorists.
²Do not attach tow chains, T-hooks, J-hooks, or a
tow sling to a bumper, steering linkage, drive shafts
or a non-reinforced frame hole.
²Do not tow a heavily loaded vehicle. Damage to
the cab, cargo box or frame may result. Use a flatbed
device to transport a loaded vehicle.
GROUND CLEARANCE
CAUTION: If vehicle is towed with wheels removed,
install lug nuts to retain brake drums or rotors.
A towed vehicle should be raised until lifted wheels
are a minimum 100 mm (4 in) from the ground. Be
sure there is adequate ground clearance at the oppo-
site end of the vehicle, especially when towing over
rough terrain or steep rises in the road. If necessary,
remove the wheels from the lifted end of the vehicle
and lower the vehicle closer to the ground, to
increase the ground clearance at the opposite end of
the vehicle. Install lug nuts on wheel attaching studs
to retain brake drums or rotors.
RAMP ANGLE
If a vehicle with flat-bed towing equipment is used,
the approach ramp angle should not exceed 15
degrees.
TOWING WHEN KEYS ARE NOT AVAILABLE
When the vehicle is locked and keys are not avail-
able, use a flat bed hauler. A Wheel-lift or Sling-type
device can be used on 4WD vehicles providedall the
wheels are lifted off the ground using tow dol-
lies.
FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLE TOWING
Chrysler Corporation recommends that a vehicle be
transported on a flat-bed device. A Wheel-lift or
Sling-type device can be used providedall the
wheels are lifted off the ground using tow dol-
lies.
WARNING: WHEN TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
AND THE DRIVE WHEELS ARE SECURED IN A
WHEEL LIFT OR TOW DOLLIES, ENSURE THE
TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION (AUTO-
MATIC TRANSMISSION) OR A FORWARD DRIVE
GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION).
CAUTION: Many vehicles are equipped with air
dams, spoilers, and/or ground effect panels. To
avoid component damage, a wheel-lift towing vehi-
cle or a flat-bed hauling vehicle is recommended.
0 - 30 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCEBR/BE
TOWING (Continued)

DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PROPELLER SHAFT.......................1
FRONT AXLE - 216FBI....................12
FRONT AXLE - 248FBI....................45
REAR AXLE-91/4.......................77REAR AXLE - 248RBI....................109
REAR AXLE - 267RBI....................140
REAR AXLE - 286RBI....................169
PROPELLER SHAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PROPELLER SHAFT
DESCRIPTION............................1
OPERATION.............................1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................3
PROPELLER SHAFT.....................3
STANDARD PROCEDURE...................5
SPECIFICATIONS.........................8
SPECIAL TOOLS..........................8
PROPELLER SHAFT - FRONT
REMOVAL...............................8
INSTALLATION............................8PROPELLER SHAFT - REAR
REMOVAL...............................9
INSTALLATION............................9
CENTER BEARING
DESCRIPTION...........................10
OPERATION.............................10
REMOVAL..............................10
INSTALLATION...........................10
ADJUSTMENTS..........................10
SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS
DISASSEMBLY...........................11
PROPELLER SHAFT
DESCRIPTION
A propeller shaft (Fig. 1), (Fig. 2), (Fig. 3), and
(Fig. 4) is a shaft which connects the transmission/
transfer case to the axle differential. This is the link
through which the engine power is transmitted to the
axle.
The propeller shaft is designed and built with the
yoke lugs in line with each other which is called zero
phasing. This design produces the smoothest running
condition, an out-of-phase shaft can cause a vibra-
tion.
Tubular propeller shafts are balanced by the man-
ufacturer with weights spot welded to the tube.
Use the exact replacement parts when installing
the propeller shafts. The use of the correct replace-
ment parts helps to ensure safe operation. All fasten-
ers must be torqued to the specified values for safe
operation.Also make alignment reference marks (Fig. 5)on
the propeller shaft yoke and axle, or transmission,
yoke prior to servicing. This helps to eliminate possi-
ble vibration.
CAUTION: Do not allow the propeller shaft to drop
or hang from any propeller shaft joint during
removal. Attach the propeller shaft to the vehicle
underside with wire to prevent damage to the joints.
OPERATION
The propeller shaft must operate through con-
stantly changing relative angles between the trans-
mission and axle. It must also be capable of changing
length while transmitting torque. The axle rides sus-
pended by springs in a floating motion. The propeller
shaft must be able to change operating angles when
going over various road surfaces. This is accom-
plished through universal joints, which permit the
propeller shaft to operate at different angles. The slip
joints (or yokes) permit contraction or expansion.
BR/BEDIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE 3 - 1

Fig. 1 Front Propeller Shaft
1 - TRANSFER CASE
2 - FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT3 - FRONT AXLE
4 - UNIVERSAL JOINT CLAMP
Fig. 2 Rear Propeller Shaft with Center Bearing
1 - CENTER BEARING
2 - REAR AXLE3 - TRANSMISSION TRANSFER
4 - REAR PROPELLER SHAFT
3 - 2 PROPELLER SHAFTBR/BE
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)

(15) If the vibration remains unacceptable, apply
the same steps to the front end of the propeller shaft.
(16) Install the wheel and tires. Lower the vehicle.
RUNOUT
(1) Remove dirt, rust, paint and undercoating from
the propeller shaft surface where the dial indicator
will contact the shaft.
(2) The dial indicator must be installed perpendic-
ular to the shaft surface.
(3) Measure runout at the center and ends of the
shaft sufficiently far away from weld areas to ensure
that the effects of the weld process will not enter into
the measurements.
(4) Refer to Runout Specifications chart.
(5) If the propeller shaft runout is out of specifica-
tion, remove the propeller shaft, index the shaft 180É,
and re-install the propeller shaft. Measure shaft
runout again.
(6) If the propeller shaft runout is now within
specifications, mark the shaft and yokes for proper
orientation.
(7) If the propeller shaft runout is not within spec-
ifications, verify that the runout of the transmission/
transfer case and axle are within specifications.
Correct as necessary and re-measure propeller shaft
runout.
(8) Replace the propeller shaft if the runout still
exceeds the limits.
RUNOUT SPECIFICATIONS
Front of Shaft 0.020 in. (0.50 mm)
Center of Shaft 0.025 in. (0.63 mm)
Rear of Shaft 0.020 in. (0.50 mm)
note:
Measure front/rear runout approximately 3 inches
(76 mm) from the weld seam at each end of the
shaft tube for tube lengths over 30 inches. For
tube lengths under 30 inches, the maximum
allowed runout is 0.020 in. (0.50 mm) for the full
length of the tube.
STANDARD PROCEDURES
To accurately check driveline alignment, raise and
support the vehicle at the axles as level as possible.
Allow the wheels and propeller shaft to turn.
(1) Remove any external bearing snap rings, if
equipped, from universal joint so protractor base sits
flat.
(2) Rotate the shaft until transmission/transfer
case output yoke bearing is facing downward.
NOTE: Always make measurements from front to
rear and from the same side of the vehicle.
Fig. 6 Clamp Screw At Position 1
1 - CLAMP
2 - SCREWDRIVER
Fig. 7 Two Clamp Screws At The Same Position
Fig. 8 Clamp Screws Separated
1-1¤2INCH
BR/BEPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 5
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued)