RAM 2500 Truck 4WD V10-8.0L VIN W (1997)
Technical Service Bulletin # 050397
Date: 970317
Chassis Dynamics - Diagnosis & Repair
NO: 05-03-97
GROUP: Brakes
EFFECTIVE DATE: Mar. 17, 1997
SUBJECT:
Chassis Dynamics Diagnosis
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 05-10-96, DATED DEC. 13, 1996, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED
FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1996 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-97010).
REVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS, THE PROCEDURE, AND LABOR OPERATION NUMBERS. ALL
REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS**.
MODELS:
1994 - 1997 (BR) Ram Truck
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Chassis Dynamics Diagnosis is the diagnosis of a condition where the vehicle may move either to the right or the left when not controlled by the driver.
This condition can be caused by any of the following:
Non-Factory Installed Options (e.g. Snow plow)
Tires or Wheels of Different Size
Aftermarket Wheels
Tires That Have a Belt That Has Shifted
Incorrect Tire Pressure
A Vehicle That is Carrying Extra Added Weight (e.g. tool boxes)
Steering and/or Suspension Components That Are Worn or Damaged
Wheel Bearings That Are Worn or Damaged
A Vehicle That Is Not Within Alignment Specifications
Brake Drag From Brake Components That Do Not Release
Braking Imbalance
NOTE:
UNDER CERTAIN ROAD CONDITIONS (E.G. HIGH ROAD CROWN, GROOVED ROADS, ETC.), MOST VEHICLES WILL MOVE TO THE
RIGHT OR LEFT UNCONTROLLED BY THE DRIVER. ALSO, THE SAME MAY HAPPEN IF A CROSS WIND CONDITION EXISTS.
Road Testing the Vehicle
1.
Road Test the vehicle for the condition described by the customer. The initial test should be performed on a smooth highway, free of road crown,
ruts, speed bumps, or pot holes.
^
Drive the vehicle at highway speeds, preferably without cross wind conditions.
^
If cross wind conditions are prevalent, drive the vehicle in both directions to the cross wind.
^
Decel the vehicle from highway speeds without applying the brakes.
Record any drift condition noticed.
^
Identify whether the vehicle drifts while holding the steering wheel or does it drift only after the steering wheel is allowed to move freely.
2.
Next, perform several brake applications from speeds greater than 50 mph to a complete stop. This portion of the road test should be performed on
several different types of road surfaces.
^
First series of brake applications should be a normal type of brake application (similar to the way you would come to a stop at a stop sign).
^
Second series of brake applications should be a hard braking application but, try not to activate the Anti lock Brake System (ABS).
Record what happens to the vehicle during each series of brake applications.
^
Does the vehicle drift to one side?
^
If it does, does the steering wheel move during the drift?
^
Did a wheel lock-up during a normal brake apply?
