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The EGR valve, or Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve, is a vacuum-controlled valve which allows exhaust back into the intake manifold in controlled amounts. The EGR valve can clog and get contaminated over time by carbon buildup, at which point it will require replacement. A malfunctioning valve can cause the engine exhaust pressure to drop and send engine warnings to the computer. It can also cause engine back pressure to drop, reducing gas mileage and engine horsepower.

Instructions

1

Locate the EGR valve in the engine bay. The year and make of the Dodge vehicle determine where the valve is located. This is on the front of the engine block, next to the timing belt in model-year 2005 and newer trucks. In older vehicles you will typically find the valve behind the engine, near the firewall.

2

Unclip the exhaust tube from the side of the valve. You can do this by hand. Shift the tube from side to side until it slides off.

3

Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the EGR valve from the exhaust tube. There is a screw on each side of the tube.

4

Disconnect the harness from the EGR valve. Use your hand to pull up on the tab and slide the harness from the valve.

5

Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the two screws that secure the EGR valve to the cylinder head. Remove the EGR valve and clean the surface of the cylinder.

6

Attach the new EGR valve to the cylinder head and tighten it down with the same screws that were previously installed.

7

Reattach the harness and reattach the exhaust tube to the valve. Tighten the two flat-head screws that hold the tube to the valve.

8

Reattach the hose to the valve and use your hand to attach the clip to the hose.

Dodge began making pickup trucks in 1917 and introduced the Dodge Ram 1500 to its line of vehicles in 1981. The Ram 1500 is the baseline pickup truck in the Ram line of heavy-duty trucks. The Ram 1500 came in several two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive trims in 2010. The alignment specs varied from the two-wheel drive to the four-wheel drive trims, and based on whether the vehicle came with 17-inch or 20-inch wheels. The alignment is adjustable only on the front ends of all trims of the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500.

2010 Ram 4X2 with 17-inch Tires

The preferred settings for the caster angle are 3.5 degrees on the front left wheel and 3.75 degrees on the front right wheel. The camber angle should be set at +0.1 degrees on the left wheel and -0.1 degrees on the right wheel. The ideal toe-in is +0.1 degrees.

2010 Ram 1500 4X2 with 20-inch Tires.

The preferred settings for the caster angle are +3.5 degrees on the left wheel and +3.8 degrees on the right. The camber angle should be set at +0.1 on the left wheel and -0.1 on the right wheel. The ideal toe-in is +0.1 degrees.

2010 Ram 1400 4X4 with 17-inch Tires

The preferred settings for the caster angle are +3.5 degrees on the left wheel and +3.75 degrees on the right wheel. The camber angle should be set at +0.1 on the left wheel and -0.1 on the right wheel. The ideal toe-in is +0.1 degrees.

2010 Ram 1400 4X4 with 20-inch Tires

The preferred settings for the caster angle are +3.5 degrees on the left wheel and +3.9 degrees on the right wheel. The camber should be set at +0.1 degrees on the left wheel and -0.1 on the right wheel. The ideal toe-in is +0.1.

Removing the stock exhaust system will allow you to replace it with a new system or upgrade it with an aftermarket system. If your exhaust system has damage to it, replacement pieces are available from most auto-parts stores but replacement of the entire system with a more free-flowing, larger-diameter exhaust system can increase the performance and fuel economy of your Dodge truck. Another option is to replace the system from the catalytic converter to the back if you prefer.

Instructions

1

Raise the rear of your Dodge truck with a jack and support it under the rear axle with a set of jack stands positioned under the rear frame rails. Move your jack to the front of the truck and raise it as well, placing a second set of jack stands under the frame rails in the front. Make sure the truck is very stable before working under it.

2

Position yourself under the rear of the truck and remove the tailpipe section first. Remove the exhaust clamp from the pipe between the tailpipe and the muffler, using a socket and ratchet. Slide the tailpipe hanger out of the rubber isolator on the frame and remove the tailpipe from under the truck.

3

Move forward to the front of the muffler and remove the exhaust clamp with a socket and ratchet. Slide the muffler forward to remove the two rod hangers from the rubber isolators on the frame. Lower the muffler down and remove it from under the truck.

4

Move forward to the front exhaust pipe and catalytic converter. Locate the retaining bolts where the front pipe and the exhaust manifold meet. There are two on each side. Remove the retaining bolts using a socket and ratchet.

5

Pull the pipe down and slide the mounting rod on the catalytic converter out of the rubber isolator on the frame, then remove the pipe and converter as a unit. Slide the assembly out from under the truck.

The Dodge Ram 3500 came in several two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive trims. All two-wheel-drive trims except for those with a 160-inch wheelbase shared the same alignment specs, as did all four-wheel-drive trims -- again, except for those with the 160-inch wheelbase. The rear alignment was not adjustable on any trim of the 2003 Ram 3500.

Caster

The caster angle on the front end of all two-wheel-drive 2003 Ram pickup trucks with a 160-inch wheelbase can range from plus-3.5 degrees to plus-5.0 degrees, with the ideal setting being +4.25 degrees. The caster angle on all other two-wheel-drive trims can range from +3.5 degrees to +4.5 degrees, with a preferred setting of +4.0 degrees and a cross tolerance of +0.4 degrees.

The caster angle on the front end of four-wheel-drive 2003 Ram pickup trucks with a 160-inch wheelbase can range from +4.0 degrees to +5.5 degrees, with the ideal setting being +4.75 degrees. The caster angle on the front end of all other four-wheel-drive trims can range from +3.75 degrees to +5.25 degrees, with a preferred setting of +4.0 degrees and a cross tolerance of +0.4 degrees.

Camber

The camber angle on all two-wheel-drive trims should fall between -0.5 degrees and +0.5 degrees, with zero being the ideal setting with a cross tolerance of +0.6 degrees.

The camber angle on all four-wheel-drive trims should fall between -0.25 degrees and +0.75 degrees, with +0.25 being the ideal setting with a cross tolerance of +0.5 degrees.

Toe-in

The toe-in on all two-wheel-drive trims can range from +0.1 degrees to +0.3 degrees. But +0.1 degrees is the ideal setting.

Removing the cooling lines from the transmission in your Dodge truck is an essential step in removing the transmission or transmission cooler. If you have a damaged transmission cooling line, youll need to remove it before you can install a new one. Transmission cooling lines are available from your Dodge dealer as well as from many auto parts stores. If you are working on your Rams transmission fluid cooler or transmission and the lines are in good shape, you can reuse them.

Instructions

1

Position a jack under the front of your Ram and raise it off the ground. Place a set of jack stands under the frame to support the truck, then remove the jack.

2

Slide an oil drain pan under the transmission cooler, under the front of the Ram. Slide a quick-disconnect tool onto the cooling line and slide it into the fitting, releasing the connector. Pull the line off the transmission cooler.

3

Follow the line back to the transmission and locate the fitting on the transmission case. Position another drain pan under this end of the line, then loosen the fitting on the line with a wrench.

4

Turn the fitting counterclockwise until it is free from the transmission, then carefully slide the line back and out from under the truck. Repeat the process on the second line if you need to remove it as well.