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TSB 22-003-06

Power Wagon - Leads Or Drifts Only To The Right On Low Crown Roads

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Date: August 19, 2006   

Models: 2005 - 2006 (DH) Ram Truck (Power Wagon Only)

NOTE: This bulletin applies to Power Wagon vehicles only built prior to
June 01, 2006 (MDH 0601XX).

Overview:
This bulletin involves diagnosis to determine if the cause of the lead or drift to the right
condition is due by the construction of the tire.

Symptom/Condition:
The customer may experience a condition where the vehicle will continually lead or drift to
the right when the vehicle is driven on a low crown road. This condition applies only to a
continual lead or drift to the RIGHT, not to the left. This condition only applies to Power
Wagon vehicles.

The farthest right lane on an interstate highway is usually a good example of low crown road.
The right lane will normally have a very low grade that slopes to the right.

Diagnosis: 

1.	Road test the vehicle to verify if a lead or drift to the right condition is present. Make certain that the road has no crown or a low crown. It is preferred that vehicle be driven in the night lane of a highway (an interstate highway is preferred).
2.	If the vehicle leads or drifts to the right: a. Drive the vehicle at 88 - 112 Kph (55 - 70 mph). b. Over a time of not less than 5 seconds, determine how much distance the vehicle leads/drifts to the right. c. Record the amount of lead or drift to the right on the repair order
3.	While traveling at 88 - 112 Kph (55 - 70 mph), did the vehicle lead or drift to the right more than a 1/2 1ane within a 5 second period of time? a. If YES >>> then perform the Repair Procedure. b. If NO >>> then STOP, this bulletin does not apply.

Parts Required:

NOTE: Mopar does not stock tires. Tires must be ordered by the dealer from a B.F. Goodrich/Michelin
tire supplier. When ordering the replacement tires, it is very important to specify the replacement tires
with a Marketing Sales Part Number (MSPN) of 14517. Tires with a MSPN of 14517 will have a Tire
Construction Number (TCN) of "CI985C" on the tire sidewall in front of the "DOT" number.

NOTE: PRIOR warranty approval for the replacement of any tire must be obtained from the dealer's
local DaimierChrysler Business Center District Manager.

Qty.	Part No.	Description
(AR) 4	LT285/70R17 D	Tire - B. F. Goodrich All Terrain T/A (size LT285/70Rl7 D) - Owned by Michelin Tire Company - Order tires by Marketing Sales Part Number = MSPN 14517 - MSPN 14517 tires will have Tire Construction Number "C1985C" on the sidewall

Special Tools/Equipment Required:

Repair Procedure: 

1.	Drive the vehicle onto an alignment rack.
2.	Verify Tire Pressure, a. Empty vehicle cargo bed. b. For testing purposes set all four tires to 'Light Load" pressure of 276 Kpa (40 psi). c. Verify that all four tires are in good condition and are not excessively worn.
3.	Locate and Record the Tire Construction Number (TCN) on each road tire. a. The TCN is located on the sidewall of the tire. b. Each TCN is molded into only one of the two sidewalls of each tire. Both sidewalls     of each tire may require inspection to locate the TCN for the specific tire. c. The TCN will be a six (6) digit alpha-numeric number. The TCN will start with one     (1) letter, followed by four (4) numbers, and then end with one (1) letter. Six digits in total. d. An example of a Tire Construction Number is: "C1985C". e. The 6 digit TCN is located just before (prior to) the tire "DOT" number. f. An example of TCN and DOT numbers is:"C1985C" "DOT-abcd"'. g. Locate and record the Tire Construction Number of all four tires (do not include     the spare tire).
4.	Inspect For Brake Pull. a. Verify that the brakes at all four wheels are not dragging and causing the lead     or drift to the right condition.
5.	Criss-Cross The Front Tire and Wheel Assemblies. a. Swap the left front tire/wheel assembly with the right front tire/wheel assembly. b. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft. lbs.).
6.	Verify Vehicle Alignment. a. Verify that there are no loose or worn steering or suspension components. b. Verify that there are no weak or broken springs. c. Set the front axle and rear axle to the alignment specification in the table below.
FRONT   CASTER  CAMBER  TOE    Spec.  4.50° ± 0.50° 0.25° ± 0.50° 0.10° ± 0.05°   Max Rt / Lt 0.00° ± 0.50° 0.00° ± 0.50° 0.00° ± 0.06°     REAR   CASTER  CAMBER  TOTAL TOE  THRUST ANGLE Spec. NA -0.10° ± 0.50° 0.30° ± 0.50° -0.20° ± 0.50° Max Rt / Lt NA 0.00° ± 0.50° NA NA
7.	Was the vehicle alignment within specifications? a. If YES >>> then proceed to the next step. b. If NO >>> then STOP. The source of out-of-alignment must be determined.     This is not addressed by this bulletin.
8.	Is "C1985C" the Tire Construction Number on all four (4) road tires. a. If YES >>> then STOP. This bulletin does not apply and further diagnosis is required. b. If NO >>> then proceed to the next step.
9.	Road test the vehicle to confirm if the lead or drift to the right condition is still present. Drive the vehicle in the farthest right lane on the same highway/road previously used.
10.	Does vehicle lead or drift continually to the right (when the vehicle is driven in the right lane of the no or low crown highway)? a. If YES >>> then proceed to the next step. b. If NO >>> then STOP.
NOTE: Prior to proceeding further, obtain PRIOR warranty approval to replace any of the tires from the dealer local DaimierChrysler Business Center District Manager.
11.	Replace only those tires that DO NOT have a Tire Construction Number of C1985C.
12.	Verify that each of the four vehicle road tires (new or otherwise) have a Tire Construction Number of C1985C on the sidewall.
13.	Inflate all tires to proper pressures: a. Light Load: Front tires to 276 Kpa (40 psi) / Rear tires to 276 Kpa (40 psi). Refer to the Supplemental Tire Label that is located on the driver side front door. b. Anything above Light Load: Front tires to 345 Kpa (50 psi) / Rear tires to 414 Kpa (60 psi). Refer to the Tire Placard that is located on the driver side B-Pillar.
14.	Balance new tires.
15.	Install tires/wheel assemblies to vehicle. Tighten wheel lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft. lbs.).

Policy:    Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

Time Allowance:

Failure Code:

This page was edited on: May 3, 2004