OEM 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Crankshaft

2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Crankshaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install a Crankshaft from an Engine on 2005 Dodge Ram 1500?

  A: Lifting out the engine from the vehicle comes first, followed by taking off the engine oil pump. You must be careful not to press on the oil pan gasket, because it connects to the cylinder block at three points and will stay in place even with the oil pan gone. You should now unbolt the bedplate and find where the two stud bolts come from, since they will go back into the same place during reinstallation. Unhook the connecting rods from the crankshaft, but make sure not to harm the very important seal between the bedplate and the cylinder block. Because incorrect installation of the bedplate bearing halves may seriously damage the crankshaft, they should be picked up and handled with care. Use the pry points to release and remove the bedplate and afterward, carefully take off the crankshaft and the crankshaft tone wheel. Look at the connecting rod bearing bores and main bearing bores for signs of scoring, blueing or heavy scratches; sometimes further disassembly will be required. If the connecting rod bearing bores are worn, you have to lift out the cylinder heads to handle the piston and rod assembly; any significant damage to the main bearing bores in the bedplate or cylinder block calls for an engine replacement. If required, take out the main bearing halves from both the cylinder block and bedplate, carefully clean all sealing surfaces and main bearing bores and check the bedplate main bearing bores for damage. Look for cracks, splits or damage on the crankshaft thrust washers and the oil pan gasket/windage tray. If any are found, replace them. Note that the main bearings for the crankshaft need to be select fit and watch out for any damage to their surfaces. Before starting the installation, treat the tone wheel retaining screws with sealant, oil the upper bearing halves with neat engine oil and attach the crankshaft tone wheel, tightening the holding screws to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.). Set the crankshaft into the cylinder block, add the thrust washers and put Mopar(R) Engine RTV sealant on the contact area between the bedplate and cylinder block for oil leak protection. Clear the areas where the seals will sit, coat the mating surface with a 2.5 mm layer of sealant, oil the crankshaft main bearing journals, apply clean engine oil to the cylinder block and place the bedplate on it. After applying clean oil to the bedplate retaining bolts, put them in place and make sure they are all aligned, then screw them in with the special torque setting as given in the manual. Fit a bolt so the bedplate is touching the block, then tight them to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) after that. Next, put the remaining bolts on tightly to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.), measure the crankshaft end play, fit the connecting rods and check the side clearance and then fit the oil pump and the engine.