Safety Recall 966

Rear Axle Spring Seats

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Date: June 2001

Models: 2001 (BE) Dodge Ram Truck

NOTE: This recall applies only to the above trucks equipped with a Camper Special Group package (sales code AHJ) and built at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant ("J' in the 11th VIN Position) from June23,2000 through July3l,2000 (MDH 062308 through 073108).

IMPORTANT: Many of the vehicles within the above build period have already been inspected or repaired and, therefore, have been excluded from this recall.

IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory. Federal law requires you to stop sale and complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service. Involved vehicles can be determined by using the DIAL VIP System.

Subject:

The rear axle spring clamp bolts on about 2,700 of the above trucks may loosen due to a bent spring seat. This could cause the axle spring clamp bolts to slip off the spring seat or break, which could cause an accident without warning.

Repair:

The right and left rear axle springs must be inspected for the presence of a spacer located between the auxiliary spring and spring seat. Trucks found with spacers must have the spacers removed and spring seats replaced.

Parts:

Part Number  Description
CBA09661      Rear Axle Spring Seat Package (Dana 80 Axle - - sales code DRL)
CBA09662      Rear Axle Spring Seat Package (Dana 60/70 Axle - sales code DRD/DRE)

Service Procedure:

A. Inspect Rear Auxiliary Spring Seat:

1. Lift the truck on an appropriate hoist.

2. Visually inspect the right and left auxiliary leaf spring. If the auxiliary spring has two leaves, no further action is required (Figure 1). If the auxiliary spring has a single leaf, continue to Step 3.

3. Inspect the right and left rear springs for the presence of a metal spacer between the spring seat and the auxiliary spring (Figure 2).

4. If spring spacers are not present, no further action is required. If spacers are found, continue with Section B. Replace Rear Spring Seat.

B. Replace Rear Spring Seats:

1. Remove the rear wheel and tire assemblies.

2. Place an identification mark on the front of the auxiliary spring to ensure proper orientation during reassembly.

3. Support the left side of the rear axle with an appropriate jackstand.

4. Remove the four spring clamp bolt (u-bolt) nuts.

5. Remove the spring plate, spring clamp bolts and the spring seat. Discard the original spring seat.

6. Remove the auxiliary spring from the main spring assembly.

7. Clamp the auxiliary spring by the center bolt in a vise as shown in Figure 3.

8. Remove the center bolt from the auxiliary spring (Figure 3).

9. Remove and discard the metal spacer and white plastic isolator on the auxiliary spring.

10. Install the nut onto the center bolt of the auxiliary spring. Tighten the nut to 35 ft. lbs. (48 N-m) (Figure 4).

11. Using the alignment mark to orient the spring, place the auxiliary spring on top of the main spring assembly (Figure 5). CAUTION: Verify that the auxiliary spring is not installed backwards.

12. Install the new spring seat on top of the auxiliary spring (Figure 5).

13. Install the spring clamp bolts (Figure 5). 

14. Install the spring plate (Figure 5).

15. Hand-start the nuts onto the spring clamp bolts.

16. While holding the spring clamp bolt and spring plate in position, snug the spring clamp bolt nuts evenly, making sure the remaining threads under the nuts have the same amount of exposed threads.

17. With the spring clamp bolt nuts snugged evenly, tighten the spring clamp bolt nuts to 110 ft. lbs. (150 N.m).

18. Remove the jackstand.

19. Repeat steps 2 through 18 on the other side of the vehicle.

20. Install both wheel and tire assemblies.

21. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to:

• Single Rear Wheels - 135 ft. lbs. (180 Nm).
• Dual Rear Wheels - 145 ft. lbs. (195 N-m).

22. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.

Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:

This page was edited on: May 3, 2004