Front Axle Service
REMOVAL1. Remove wheel and brake caliper assembly, leaving brake hose connected, and hang caliper from body or suspension arm. Do not allow caliper to hang by brake hose.
Fig. 3 Drive Axle Assembly Exploded View:
2. Remove hub cover assembly, then remove snap ring from drive axle.
3. Remove knuckle and front hub assembly as a unit. Support lower control arm with suitable jack prior to disconnecting ball joints from steering knuckle.
4. To remove left drive axle, slowly lower jack supporting control arm, then pull drive axle from differential carrier.
5. To remove right drive axle, raise right lower control arm with jack and proceed as follows:
a. Remove upper mounting nuts from right shock absorber, then remove shock absorber from arm post of side frame. Do not remove lifting device from lower arm until shock absorber has been reconnected.
b. Remove four nuts connecting right drive axle to inner shaft assembly, then remove right drive axle.
6. Remove inner shaft from differential shaft carrier assembly.
7. Remove dust seal.
8. Reverse procedure to install noting the following:
a. Tighten right drive axle to inner shaft assembly bolts to specifications
b. Tighten shock absorber upper mounting nut until protrusion of stud above top of nut is 0.27-0.31 inch for Ram Raider. On Ram 50 4WD Models, tighten nut to end of threads. On all models, install jam nut and tighten to specifications.
c. Mount knuckle and front hub assembly together and check drive axle endplay as follows: Install snap ring onto drive axle. Position dial indicator on end of drive axle and turn drive axle in axial direction. Drive axle endplay should be 0.008-0.020 inch. Install proper spacer to bring endplay into specification.
DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove boot bands from Birfield joint and double offset joint boots. Discard bands and replace with new bands at reassembly.
2. Remove circlip from double offset joint outer race.
3. Remove drive axle from double offset joint outer race.
4. Clean grease from outer race, then remove balls from cage.
5. Turn double offset joint cage 30° from position at which balls were installed and push cage down toward Birfield joint until it is off inner race.
6. Remove inner race snap ring, inner race and cage from end of drive axle.
7. Remove snap ring from drive axle, then remove double offset joint boot and Birfield boot. Tape end of drive axle so splines do not damage boots as they are removed.
8. Remove dust cover. Do not disassemble Birfield joint.
9. Using suitable tool and press, remove bearing from inner shaft.
INSPECTION
1. Inspect outer race of double offset joint for excessive wear or damage.
2. Inspect bearing for damage to races.
3. Inspect drive axle and inner shaft for damage to splines.
4. Inspect drive and inner shaft for bending or other damage.
5. Inspect Birfield joint for damage to balls, water contamination, rust and other foreign material.
6. Inspect dust cover for proper shape and damage.
7. Inspect Birfield joint and double offset joint boots for deterioration, tears or cracks.
8. Inspect double offset joint inner race, balls and cage for damage, wear or rust.
ASSEMBLY
1. Press dust cover onto inner shaft.
2. Press inner bearing onto shaft using tool No. MD990560.
3. Press dust covers onto Birfield joints and double offset joints.
4. Apply grease to drive axle.
Fig. 4 Driveshaft Boot & Band Identification:
5. Install Birfield joint boot, all boot bands and double offset joint boot on drive axle and Birfield joint.
6. Install double offset joint cage onto drive axle with smaller diameter end of cage toward Birfield joint. Install snap ring, inner race and circlip onto drive axle.
7. Apply grease to double offset joint inner race and cage, then fit balls into cage.
8. Apply 2-3 ounces of grease to outer race, then install race on drive axle.
9. Apply 2-3 ounces of grease to outer race, then install circlip.
10. Apply as much grease as was removed from Birfield joint during inspection, then install boot. Birfield joint boot should measure 3 inches in length from outer band to inner band.