Wheel Alignment

This procedure covers performing a complete four-wheel alignment on a 2007 Ram 3500 4WD with the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, including toe, camber, and caster adjustments to factory specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tie rod end boot × 1 — Replace if damaged during adjustment
• Tie rod end × 1 — Replace if worn or damaged

Preparation

1. Verify all tires are inflated to factory specification (typically 65 psi front, 80 psi rear for single rear wheels)
2. Inspect all steering and suspension components for wear, damage, or looseness - replace any defective parts before proceeding
3. Check for any aftermarket suspension modifications that may affect alignment specifications
4. Ensure fuel tank is full and no unusual cargo is present in bed or cab
5. Verify alignment machine is calibrated and functioning properly
6. Apply penetrating oil to tie rod adjustment sleeves and jam nuts if visible corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Position vehicle on alignment rack
   Drive vehicle onto alignment rack slowly and center it on the turnplates and slip plates. Ensure front wheels are centered on turnplates and rear wheels are on slip plates or raised platforms. Apply parking brake and place transmission in Park.
2. 2

   Install alignment targets
   Mount alignment targets or clamps to all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer's instructions. Ensure targets are securely attached and wheels can move freely without binding. Verify tire runout compensation is available on your alignment system.
3. 3

   Perform rolling compensation and initial readings
   Follow alignment machine procedure to perform rolling compensation by moving vehicle forward and backward. This compensates for wheel and tire runout. Once complete, take initial readings of all alignment angles including toe, camber, caster, and ride height measurements.
4. 4

   Center steering wheel
   Unlock steering wheel and ensure it is centered with wheels pointing straight ahead. Install steering wheel lock or clamp to prevent movement during adjustment. Verify steering wheel is within 1/4 turn of center position. If significantly off-center, note this indicates unequal toe settings.
5. 5

   Record and evaluate measurements
   Record all initial alignment readings. For the 2007 Ram 3500 4WD, verify all alignment specifications against the factory service manual for this VIN/trim, as caster and camber on this solid-axle 4WD differ from car-like values. Rear toe/thrust angle is a reference reading only and is not adjustable. Note that front camber and caster are not adjustable without aftermarket components.
6. 6

   Adjust rear toe if necessary
   The 2007 Ram 3500 uses a solid rear axle mounted on leaf springs; rear toe and thrust angle are not adjustable. Record the rear readings for reference, but no rear toe adjustment is possible without repairing bent components or replacing worn leaf spring/axle hardware.
7. 7

   Loosen front tie rod jam nuts
   Loosen the adjuster sleeve clamp bolts on the tie rod and drag link. On this solid-axle linkage, toe is set by loosening the sleeve clamps and rotating the adjuster sleeve; verify the correct clamp bolt size before applying wrench. The jam nuts lock the tie rod adjustment sleeves in place. Do not remove completely - just loosen enough to allow sleeve rotation. Apply additional penetrating oil if nuts are seized.
8. 8

   Adjust front toe
   After loosening the sleeve clamps, rotate the tie rod adjustment sleeve to change front toe. Make small adjustments and recheck alignment readings frequently. Rotate the single tie rod adjuster sleeve to set total toe, then use the drag link adjuster to center the steering wheel. Turning sleeves inward (shortening tie rods) increases toe-in; turning outward decreases toe-in. Make small adjustments and recheck alignment readings frequently.
9. 9

   Fine-tune individual wheel toe
   Once total toe is near specification, use the drag link adjuster sleeve to center the steering wheel. On this solid front axle, individual left/right toe is not separately adjustable; total toe is set with the single tie rod adjuster. Make final adjustments in small increments until both total toe and individual wheel toe are within specification and steering wheel is centered.
10. 10

    Tighten tie rod jam nuts
    Position the adjuster sleeve clamps correctly, then tighten the sleeve clamp bolts to the factory-specified torque (verify value in service manual; do not assume 55 ft-lbs). Ensure the sleeve does not rotate during tightening. Ensure sleeves do not rotate during tightening. Verify tie rod end boots are not twisted or damaged - replace if necessary.
11. 11

    Verify final alignment readings
    Take final readings on alignment machine to confirm all angles are within specification. Verify steering wheel is still centered and locked. Check that toe measurements have not changed during jam nut tightening. Print alignment report showing before and after measurements.
12. 12

    Remove equipment and perform steering check
    Remove steering wheel lock and alignment targets from all wheels. Lower vehicle from alignment rack if raised. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock several times and return to center to verify proper operation and that adjustments have not shifted.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all tie rod jam nuts are properly torqued to 55 ft-lbs
2. Verify no tools or equipment remain under vehicle or on wheels
3. Confirm steering wheel lock or clamp has been removed before test drive
4. Check that all alignment targets have been removed from wheels

Verification

• Test drive vehicle in straight line at low speed - steering wheel should be centered and vehicle should track straight
• Verify no unusual tire wear patterns are developing after 100-200 miles
• Confirm steering returns to center smoothly after turns
• Review printed alignment report to ensure all measurements are within manufacturer specifications
• Recheck tie rod jam nuts for proper torque after test drive

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