DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual

CRANKSHAFT AND GEAR
DESCRIPTION
The crankshaft (Fig. 66) is a forged steel, integrally
balanced unit. It is supported by seven main bear-
ings, with position number six designated as the
thrust journal. The crankshaft is held in place by
main caps and 12 mm capscrews. The crankshaft
also has internal cross drillings to supply the con-
necting rods with engine oil.
REMOVALÐGEAR
(1) Remove the gear housing cover. (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/VALVE TIMING/GEAR HOUSING COVER
- REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the crank gear using a heavy duty
puller.
(3) Split the gear and remove it from the crank-
shaft.
INSTALLATION - GEAR
(1) Remove all burrs and make sure the gear sur-
face on the end of the crankshaft is smooth.
(2) If removed, install a new alignment pin. Drive
the pin in using a ball- peen hammer, leaving it pro-truding 1.0 mm (0.039 inch) to 1.5 mm (0.059 inch)
above the crankshaft (Fig. 67).
WARNING: WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES TO PRE-
VENT INJURY.
CAUTION: DO NOT heat the gear longer than 45
minutes.
(3) Heat the crankshaft gear for 45 minutes at a
temperature of 149ÉC (300ÉF).Do not use torch,
gear failure will occur.
(4) Apply a thin coat of lubricant to the nose of the
crankshaft.
(5) Position the gear with the timing mark out and
install it on the crankshaft using the alignment pin.
Make sure the gear contacts the shoulder.
CRANKSHAFT MAIN
BEARINGS
STANDARD PROCEDURE - MAIN BEARING
CLEARANCE
Inspect the main bearing bores for damage or
abnormal wear.
(1) Remove bearings and measure main bearing
bore diameter after torquing main bearing cap bolts
to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install the crankshaft main bearings and mea-
sure main bearing bore diameter with the main bolts
tightened to 176 N´m (130 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 68).
Fig. 66 Crankshaft
Fig. 67 Installing Alignment Pin
1 - ALIGNMENT PIN
9 - 322 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR

(3) Measure the diameter of the main journal at
the locations shown (Fig. 69). Calculate the average
diameter for each side of the journal.
MAIN BEARING BORE DIAMETER CHART
ITEM MAIN BEARING BORE
DIAMETER (MAXIMUM)
BEARINGS INSTALLED 83.106 mm (3.2719 in.)
BEARINGS REMOVED Min 87.983 mm (3.4639
in.)
Max. 88.019 mm (3.4653
in.)
CRANKSHAFT MAIN JOURNAL DIAMETER
CHART
ITEM SPECIFICATION
Minimum diameter 82.962 mm (3.2662 in.)
Maximum diameter 83.013 mm (3.2682 in.)
Maximum out of
roundness0.050 mm (.002 in.)
Maximum taper 0.013 mm (.0005 in.)
Thrust distance (at No.6
position)Min. 0.065 mm (.003 in.)
Max. 0.432 mm (.017 in.)
(4) Calculate the main bearing journal to bearing
clearance. Maximum clearance is 0.119 mm (0.00475
inch). If the crankshaft journal is within limits,
replace the main bearings. If not within specifica-
tions, grind the crankshaft to next size and use over-
size bearings.
(5) Measure thrust distance at the No.6 position.
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL -
FRONT
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect both battery negative cables.
(2) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(3) Partially drain engine coolant into container
suitable for re-use (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE).
(4) Lower vehicle.
(5) Remove radiator upper hose.
(6) Disconnect coolant recovery bottle from radia-
tor filler neck and lift bottle off of fan shroud.
(7) Disconnect windshield washer pump supply
hose and electrical connections and lift washer bottle
off of fan shroud.
(8) Remove the fan shroud-to-radiator mounting
bolts.
(9) Remove viscous fan/drive assembly. (Refer to 7
- COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR FAN - REMOVAL).
(10) Remove cooling fan shroud and fan assembly
from the vehicle.
(11) Remove the accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
REMOVAL).
(12) Remove the cooling fan support/hub from the
front of the engine.
(13) Raise the vehicle on hoist.
(14) Remove the crankshaft damper and speed
indicator ring.
(15) Remove hydraulic pump.
(16) Remove accessory drive belt tensioner.
Fig. 68 Crankshaft Main Bearing Bore Diameter
1 - MAIN BEARING CAPS
Fig. 69 Crankshaft Main Journal Diameter
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 323
CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARINGS (Continued)

(17) Remove the gear cover-to-housing bolts and
gently pry the cover away from the housing, taking
care not to mar the gasket surfaces. Remove crank
seal dust shield with cover.
(18) Support the cover on a flat work surface with
wooden blocks (Fig. 70), and using a suitable punch
and hammer, drive the old seal out of the cover from
the back side of the cover to the front side (Fig. 70).
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean cover and housing gasket mating sur-
faces. Use a suitable scraper and be careful not to
damage the gear housing surface. Remove any old
sealer from the oil seal bore. Thoroughly clean the
front seal area of the crankshaft. The seal lip and the
sealing surface on the crankshaft must be free from
all oil residue to prevent seal leaks.
(2) Inspect the gear housing and cover for cracks
and replace if necessary. Carefully straighten any
bends or imperfections in the gear cover with a ball-
peen hammer on a flat surface. Inspect the crank-
shaft front journal for any grooves or nicks that
would affect the integrity of the new seal.
(3) Apply a bead of MopartStud & Bearing Mount
to the outside diameter of the seal. Do not lubricate
the inside diameter of the new seal.
(4) With the cover supported by wood blocks,
install the seal into the rear of the cover using crank-
shaft seal installer Special Tool 8281 and driver han-
dle C-4171 (Fig. 71). Strike the driver handle until
the installation tool bottoms out on the inside of the
cover.
CAUTION: Do not distort or damage seal.(5) Install the plastic seal pilot (provided with seal
kit) into the crankshaft seal.
(6) Apply a bead of MopartSilicone Rubber Adhe-
sive Sealant or equivalent to the gear housing cover
sealing surface.
(7) Install the cover to the gear housing, aligning
the seal pilot with the nose of the crankshaft (Fig.
72).
(8) Install the cover bolts and tighten to 24 N´m
(18 ft. lbs.) torque. Remove pilot tool.
(9) Install dust shield over nose of crankshaft.
(10) Install the crankshaft damper and speed indi-
cator ring. Torque the bolts to 40 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
Then rotate an additional 60É. Use the engine bar-
Fig. 70 Removing Seal from Cover
1 - PUNCH
Fig. 71 Installing Seal Into Cover With Tool 8281
1 - SEAL INSTALLER 8281
2 - DRIVER HANDLE C4171
3 - SEAL
Fig. 72 Installing Front Cover with Seal Pilot
1 - SEAL PILOT
9 - 324 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT (Continued)

ring tool to keep the engine from rotating during
tightening operation.
(11) Install the fan support/hub assembly and
torque bolts to 32 N´m (24 ft. lbs.).
(12) Install hydraulic pump.
(13) Install accessory drive belt tensioner. Torque
bolt to 43 Nm (32 ft.lbs.).
(14) Install cooling fan (Refer to 7 - COOLING/EN-
GINE/RADIATOR FAN - INSTALLATION).
(15) Install the accessory drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
INSTALLATION).
(16) Refill cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(17) Connect battery negative cables.
(18) Start engine and check for oil leaks.
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL -
REAR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cables.
(2) Remove the transmission and transfer case (if
equipped).
(3) Remove the clutch cover and disc (if manual
transmission equipped) (Refer to 6 - CLUTCH/
CLUTCH DISC - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the flywheel or converter drive plate.
(5) Drill holes 180É apart into the seal. Be careful
not to contact the drill against the crankshaft.
(6) Install #10 sheet metal screws in the drilled
holes and remove the rear seal with a slide hammer
(Fig. 73).
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The seal lip and the sealing surface on
the crankshaft must be free from all oil residue to
prevent seal leaks. The crankshaft and seal sur-
faces must be completely dry when the seal is
installed. Use a soap and water solution on outside
diameter of seal to ease assembly.
(1) Clean the crankshaft journal with a suitable
solvent and dry with a clean shop towel or com-
pressed air. Wipe the inside bore of the crankshaft
seal retainer with a clean shop towel.
(2) Inspect the crankshaft journal for gouges,
nicks, or other imperfections. If the seal groove in the
crankshaft is excessively deep, install the new seal
1/8º deeper into the retainer bore, or obtain a crank-
shaft wear sleeve that is available in the aftermar-
ket.
(3) Install the seal pilot and new seal, provided in
the replacement kit, onto the crankshaft.
(4) Remove the seal pilot.
(5) Install the installation tool over crankshaft.
(6) Using a ball peen hammer, strike the tool at
the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions until the align-
ment tool bottoms out on the retainer (Fig. 74).
(7) Install the flywheel or converter drive plate.
Tighten the bolts to 137 N´m (101 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) Install the clutch cover and disc (if equipped)
(Refer to 6 - CLUTCH/CLUTCH DISC - INSTALLA-
TION).
(9) Install the transmission and transfer case (if
equipped).
(10) Lower vehicle.
Fig. 73 Crankshaft Rear Seal Removal
1 - NO. 10 SCREW
2 - REAR SEAL
3 - CRANKSHAFT
4 - SLIDE HAMMER
Fig. 74 Seal Installation Using Alignment Tool and
Hammer
1 - SEAL PILOT TOOL
2 - INSTALLATION TOOL
3 - SEAL
4 - RETAINER
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 325
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - FRONT (Continued)

(11) Connect battery negative cables.
(12) Check engine oil level and adjust, if necessary.
(13) Start engine and check for oil leaks.
CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL
RETAINER
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cables.
(2) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(3) Remove the oil pan drain plug and drain the
engine oil. Re-install plug and torque to 50 N´m (44
ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Remove transmission and transfer case (if
equipped) from vehicle.
(5) Remove flywheel or torque converter drive
plate.
(6) Disconnect starter cables from starter motor.
(7) Remove starter motor (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - REMOVAL)
and transmission adapter plate assembly.
(8) Remove four (4) oil pan rear bolts. Slide a
feeler guage between the seal retainer and oil pan
gasket to break the seal.
(9) Remove the six (6) retainer-to-block bolts (Fig.
75).
(10) Remove the rear seal retainer and gasket
(Fig. 75).
(11) Support the seal retainer and drive out the
crankshaft seal with a hammer and suitable punch.
INSTALLATION
(1) If using the old seal retainer, the crankshaft
seal must be replaced.(2) Inspect oil pan gasket for nickes or cuts. If gas-
ket is damaged, the oil pan must be removed and
gasket must be replaced. Wipe oil pan gasket dry and
apply light coating of RTV.
(3) Using the retainer alignment/seal installation
tool provided in the seal service kit, install the align-
ment tool into the retainer and install to the cylinder
block (Fig. 76), using a new gasket. Tighten the six
(6) mounting bolts by hand.
(4) The seal alignment tool is used to align rear
cover properly. Starting with the center two bolts,
tighten the retainer in a circular pattern to 10 N´m
(89 in. lbs.). Remove the alignment tool.
CAUTION: The seal lip and the sealing surface on
the crankshaft must be free from all oil residue to
prevent seal leaks. The crankshaft and seal sur-
faces must be completely dry when the seal is
installed. Use a soap and water solution on outside
diameter of seal to ease assembly.
(5) Make sure the provided seal pilot is installed
into the new crankshaft seal. Use the alignment/in-
stallation tool and press the seal onto the crankshaft
(Fig. 77). Alternately drive the seal at the 12, 3, 6
and 9 o'clock positions.
(6) Remove the alignment tool and trim the
retainer gasket even with the oil pan mounting sur-
face (Fig. 78).
(7) Remove the seal pilot.
(8) Apply a small amount of MopartSilicone Rub-
ber Adhesive Sealant to the oil pan rail T-joints.
(9) Install the four (4) oil pan rear mounting bolts
and torque to 28 N´m (21 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install new rectangular ring seal for cam bore.
Fig. 75 Crankshaft Rear Seal Retainer and Gasket
1 - RETAINER
2 - GASKET
3 - BOLT
Fig. 76 Aligning Seal Retainer with Alignment/
Installation Tool
1 - ALIGNMENT / INSTALLATION TOOL
2 - SEAL RETAINER
9 - 326 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL - REAR (Continued)

(11) Install the flywheel housing and bolts. Torque
bolts to 77 N´m (57 ft. lbs.).
(12) Install the flywheel or converter drive plate.
Tighten bolts to 137 N´m (101 ft. lbs.).
(13) Install the starter motor and torque to 43 N´m
(21 ft. lbs.)(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/STARTING/
STARTER MOTOR - INSTALLATION).
(14) Install the transmission and transfer case (if
equipped).
(15) Lower vehicle.
(16) Fill the crankcase with new engine oil.
(17) Connect the battery negative cables.
(18) Start engine and check for oil leaks.
SOLID LIFTERS/TAPPETS
REMOVAL
NOTE: This procedure requires use of Miller Tool
8502 Tappet Replacement Kit.
(1) Remove camshaft (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/EN-
GINE BLOCK/CAMSHAFT & BEARINGS (IN
BLOCK) - REMOVAL).
(2) Insert the trough (provided with tool kit) the
full length of the camshaft bore (Fig. 79). Make sure
the cap end goes in first and the open side faces up
(towards tappets).
(3)Remove only one tappet at a time.Remove
rubber band from one cylinder pair and attach tappet
dowel not being removed to the next cylinder pair
(Fig. 80).
Fig. 79 Inserting the Trough - Typical
1 - TROUGH
Fig. 80 Secure Dowel/Tappet to Adjacent Cylinder -
typical
Fig. 77 Installing Seal Using Alignment Tool and
Hammer
1 - SEAL PILOT TOOL
2 - INSTALLATION TOOL
3 - SEAL
4 - RETAINER
Fig. 78 Trimming Excess Gasket Material
1 - GASKET
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 327
CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL RETAINER (Continued)

(4) Raise dowel rod (disengage from tappet) and
allow tappet to fall into trough (Fig. 81).
(5) Carefully remove trough(do not rotate)and
tappet. If the tappet is not being replaced, mark it so
it can be installed in its original location.
(6) Re-install trough and repeat procedure on
remaining tappets.
CLEANING
Clean tappet with a suitable solvent. Rinse in hot
water and blow dry with a clean shop rag or com-
pressed air.
INSPECTION
(1) Visually inspect the tappet the tappet socket,
stem, and face for excessive wear, cracks, or obvious
damage (Fig. 82).
(2) Measure the tappet stem diameter. Replace the
tappet if it falls below the minimum size (Fig. 82).
INSTALLATION
(1) Insert the trough the full length of the cam-
shaft bore. Again, make sure the cap end goes in first
and the open side faces up (towards tappets).
(2) Lower the tappet installation tool through the
push rod hole (Fig. 83) and into the trough.
(3) Retrieve the tappet installation tool using the
hooked rod provided with the tool kit (Fig. 84).
Fig. 83 Insert Installation Tool through Push Rod
Hole - Typical
Fig. 84 Retrieve Tappet Installation Tool through
Cam Bore - Typical
Fig. 81 Lift Dowel Rod to Disengage from Tappet -
typical
Fig. 82 Tappet Inspection
TAPPET STEM DIAMETER
15.936 mm (0.627 in.) MIN.
15.977 mm (0.629 in.) MAX.
9 - 328 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
SOLID LIFTERS/TAPPETS (Continued)

(4) Lubricate the tappet with clean engine oil or
suitable equivalent and install the tappet to the
installation tool (Fig. 85).
(5) Pull the tappet up and into position (Fig. 85). If
difficulty is experienced getting the tappet to make
the turn into the tappet bore, wiggle the trough
whilegentlypulling up on the tappet.
(6) With the tappet in place, rotate the trough one
half turn so the open side is down (toward crank-
shaft) (Fig. 86).
(7) Remove the tappet installation tool from the
tappet.
(8) Re-install a dowel rod and secure the rod with
a rubber band.
(9) Rotate the trough one half turn and repeat the
procedure for the remaining tappets.
(10) Install the camshaft (Refer to 9 - ENGINE/
ENGINE BLOCK/CAMSHAFT & BEARINGS (IN
BLOCK) - INSTALLATION).PISTON & CONNECTING ROD
DESCRIPTION
PISTONS
The piston (Fig. 87) is constructed of aluminum
and is gravity cast, free floating design. The piston
incorporates a centrally located high swirl combus-
tion bowl, and utilizes a ªkeystoneº style top com-
pression ring (Fig. 88), and a ªTapered Faceº
intermediate ring (Fig. 88), for superior cylinder wall
scraping. Piston cooling nozzles cool the piston and
pin with engine oil supplied by the crankshaft main
journals. High horsepower pistons are gallery cooled
and utilize J-jet piston cooling nozzles.
Fig. 85 Insert Tool and Pull Tappet Into Place -
Typical
Fig. 86 Rotate Trough One Half Turn (180É) - Typical
Fig. 87 Piston - Typical
Fig. 88 Piston Ring Identification
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 329
SOLID LIFTERS/TAPPETS (Continued)

CONNECTING RODS
The connecting rods are a split angle design (Fig.
89). They have a pressed-in-place wrist pin bushing
that is lubricated by piston cooling nozzle oil spray.
There are two different types of connecting rods:
machined and fractured split. The main different
between the two styles is the surface finish on the
connecting rod split face.
Machined connecting rods can be identified by a
machined surface at the connecting rod and cap split
face. Machined connecting rods have numbers
stamped on the rod cap and connecting rod near the
parting line. The number stamped on the connecting
rod must match the number stamped on the rod cap
and be installed on the camshaft or intake side of the
engine.
Fractured split connecting rods are first manufac-
tured as a single piece and then fractured into two
pieces. Fractured split connecting rods can be identi-
fied by a rough and irregular surface at the connect-
ing rod split face. To properly assemble the rod cap to
the connecting rod, the bearing tangs on the connect-
ing rod and cap must be located on the same side of
the rod. The long end of the connecting rod must be
assembled on the intake or camshaft side of the
engine.
Measuring methods and specifications are common
between fractured split and machined connecting
rods.
Both fractures split and machined connecting rods
and caps are machined as an assembly and are not
interchangeable. If a connecting rod or cap is dam-
aged, the entire assembly must be replaced.
Machined and fractured split connecting rods cannot
be used in the same engine.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - HEAD GASKET
SELECTION
(1) Measure piston protrusion for all six pistons.
(2) Calculate the average piston protrusion. Maxi-
mum allowable protrusion is 0.516 mm (0.020 inch).
NOTE: There are two different head gaskets avail-
able. One gasket is for Average piston protrusion
less than 0.30 mm (0.011 inch). The other gasket is
for Average piston protrusion greater than 0.30 mm
(0.011 inch)
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery cables.
(2) Remove the cylinder head (Refer to 9 -
ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the oil pan and suction tube (Refer to 9
- ENGINE/LUBRICATION/OIL PAN - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove bolts and the block stiffener.(5) Using Miller Tool 7471-B crankshaft barring
tool, rotate the crankshaft so all of the pistons are
below TDC.
(6) Before removing the piston(s) from the bore(s):
(a) Remove any carbon ridge formations or
deposits at the top of the bore with a dull scraper
or soft wire brush.
(b) If cylinder bore wear ridges are found, use a
ridge reamer to cut the ridge from the bore. DO
NOT remove more metal than necessary to remove
the ridge.
(7) Remove the J-jet cooling nozzels, if equipped.
NOTE: If cylinders have ridges, the cylinders are
oversize and will more than likely need boring.
(8) Using a hammer and steel stamp, stamp the
cylinder number in the top of each piston. The front
of the piston is identified by a stamping on the top of
the piston. DO NOT stamp in the outside 5 mm (.197
in.) of the piston diameter. DO NOT stamp over the
piston pin.
(9) Mark the connecting rod and cap with the cor-
responding cylinder numbers.
(10) Remove the connecting rod bolts and rod caps.
Use care so the cylinder bores and connecting rods
are not damaged.
Fig. 89 Connecting Rod
9 - 330 ENGINE 5.9L DIESELDR
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)

(11) Use a hammer handle or similar object to
push the piston and connecting rod through the cyl-
inder bore.
(12) Store the piston/rod assemblies in a rack.
CLEANINGÐPISTON AND CONNECTING ROD
CAUTION: DO NOT use bead blast to clean the pis-
tons. DO NOT clean the pistons and rods in an acid
tank.
PISTON
Clean the pistons and pins in a suitable solvent,
rinse in hot water and blow dry with compressed air.
Soaking the pistons over night will loosen most of the
carbon build up. De-carbon the ring grooves with a
broken piston ring and again clean the pistons in sol-
vent. Rinse in hot water and blow dry with com-
pressed air.
CONNECTING ROD
Clean the connecting rods in a suitable solvent,
rinse in hot water and blow dry with compressed air.
INSPECTION
INSPECTIONÐPISTONS
Inspect the pistons for damage and excessive wear.
Check top of the piston, ring grooves, skirt and pin
bore. Measure the piston skirt diameter (Fig. 90). If
the piston is out of limits, replace the piston.The upper groove only needs to be inspected for
damage. Use a new piston ring to measure the clear-
ance in the intermediate ring groove (Fig. 91). Mini-
mum clearance is 0.045 mm (0.0018 inch), maximum
clearance is 0.095 mm (.0037 inch). If the clearance
of the intermediate ring exceeds specifications,
replace the piston.
Use a new oil ring to measure the clearance in the
oil groove (Fig. 91). Minimum clearance is 0.040 mm
(0.0016 inch), maximum clearance is 0.085 mm
(.0033 inch). If the clearance exceeds specifications,
replace the piston.
Measure the pin bore (Fig. 92). The maximum
diameter is 40.012 mm (1.5753 inch), Minimum is
40.006 mm (1.575 inch). If the bore is over limits,
replace the piston.
Fig. 90 Piston Skirt Diameter
PISTON SKIRT DIAMETER (MIN.)
101.887 mm (4.011 in. )
Fig. 91 Intermediate and Oil Ring Clearances
1 - FEELER GAUGE
2 - RING
3 - PISTON
Fig. 92 Piston Pin Bore
1 - PISTON
2 - PIN BORE
DRENGINE 5.9L DIESEL 9 - 331
PISTON & CONNECTING ROD (Continued)