OEM 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Van Power Steering Gear Seal

2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Van Power Steering Gear Seal Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to service the Power Steering Gear Seal on the pitman shaft on 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Van?

  A: The first step to caring for the seal is to brush the end of the pitman shaft and the assembly with a wire brush. Remove the preload adjuster nut, then turn the stub shaft with a 12 point socket all the way to either end and count how many times you turn it. Twist the stub shaft halfway through its total possible turns so it lies directly in the center. Now, undo the bolts at the side cover and remove the cover, gasket and pitman shaft together, always making sure the pitman shaft passes through the center of the housing. Release the pitman shaft from the side cover then, using a seal pick, remove the dust seal from the housing being careful not to mark the housing bore. Start by removing the retaining ring with snap ring pliers, next up is to remove the washer with more snap ring pliers and finish by using a seal pick to remove the oil seal. Place a bearing driver and a handle on the pitman shaft bearing and then start remove it. Slide the pitman shaft bearing into the housing, using its bearing driver and handle and then coat the oil seal and washer with the special grease that arrived with your new seal kit. After oil sealing with a driver and handle, place the back up washer on top and then fit the retainer ring using snap ring pliers. Put the special grease on the dust seal and mount it with a driver and handle. Place the pitman shaft back into its area, screw it securely in and install the preload adjuster nut, but do not tighten it until Over-Center Rotation Torque is set. Secure the gasket over the side cover and press the tabs in place around the edges. After this, join the pitman shaft and side cover to the housing. Next, screw in the covers on both sides, setting them to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.). After that, do the over-center rotation adjustment.