We are in the golden age of internal combustion vehicles. Engines have been perfected to the point where aerodynamics are being milked for increased fuel economy. Coefficient of drag was once the territory of sports cars, but now pickup trucks are starting to get some aerodynamic tricks.
The best example of this is the 2013-current Dodge Ram 1500. Instead of springs, the truck uses air springs to control the ride height to reduce drag. The optional air suspension system is tuned by a computer for optimal ride and aerodynamic performance. The system has a load-leveling capability, which detects if there is a trailer attached.
The air suspension system features five height settings that operate automatically or can be controlled manually using controls on the console.
- Normal Ride Height (NRH): 220.9 mm (8.7 inches) of clearance (measured from the base of the door sill) is the default load-leveled ride height. This is the mode that should be active when performing an alignment.
- Aero Mode: Lowers the vehicle 27.9 mm (1.1 inches) from NRH.
- Off-road 1: Lifts the vehicle 30.4 mm (1.2 inches) from NRH.
- Off-road 2: This mode increases ground clearance by 50.8 mm (2 inches) over NRH.
- Park Mode: Lowers the vehicle 50.8 mm (2 inches) from NRH.
If you fail to engage NRH while measuring the camber and caster, you might get angles that are outside of the factory specifications. If the system is in Park Mode, you will see negative camber readings.
Front Suspension Adjustments
The Ram 1500 comes with cam adjusters on the lower control arms at the subframe. If you need more camber or caster on a lifted or lowered truck, you can install an offset ball joint in the upper control arm. This modification can yield ±2.25 degrees of camber or caster. You should perform the final adjustments with the factory cams.
Caster
Moving the front or rear position of the lower control arm in or out will change the caster and camber angles significantly. To maintain the camber angle while adjusting caster, move one pivot bolt of the lower control arm in or out. Then, move the other pivot bolt of the lower control arm in the opposite direction.
To increase positive caster angle, move the rear position of the lower control arm inward (toward the engine). Move the front of the lower control arm outward (away from the engine) slightly until the desired camber angle is obtained.
Camber
Move both pivot bolts of the lower control arm together in or out. This will change the camber angle significantly and have little effect on the caster angle. After the adjustment is made, tighten the lower control arm nuts to proper torque specification.
Rear Suspension
For 2009, Dodge introduced a multilink coil spring rear suspension. This live-axle setup weighs 40 pounds less than a leaf-spring configuration. Nothing is adjustable.
Steering
In 2012, Electric Power Steering (EPS) was made standard. The system provides variable assist for steering maneuvers using several sensor inputs. The Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) measures the position of the steering wheel and the rate of movement. The vehicle’s speed input comes from the anti-lock brake system. The EPS steering gear has a torque sensor.
The only serviceable parts are inner and outer tie rods and tie rod bellows.
The SAS is “self-calibrating,” according to Chrysler. To reset the SAS, perform the following procedure:
- Turn on the ignition and turn the steering wheel all the way to the left until lock is reached.
- Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right until full lock is reached.
- Return the steering wheel to center.
- Cycle the ignition.
Even after this procedure is performed, the ESP light might still be on. Go for a short test-drive to allow the system to use the yaw and lateral accelerometers to carry out the final calibrations.
The other option is to use a scan tool to verify the readings from the SAS and clear the codes in the 2009-2015 Dodge Ram.
