1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 lug nut torque is 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm), tightened with a 22mm socket on M14x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm) · Socket size: 22mm · Thread: M14x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

Stellantis (Jeep/Ram/Dodge/Chrysler) torque values: Wrangler/Cherokee lug nuts spec 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm), Ram 1500 specs 135 ft-lbs (183 Nm), Ram 2500/3500 specs 160 ft-lbs (217 Nm). Most use a 19mm or 22mm socket with M14x1.5 thread on trucks. The Wrangler's hub-centric ring is critical — do not run hub-piloted wheels without it.

Common fastener categories on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

Heads up for 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 owners: Vehicles this age frequently have seized fasteners due to thread corrosion. Apply penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Kroil) 24 hours before any wrenching, and have a thread chaser on hand. Lug studs are particularly prone to thread damage at this age; if a nut spins on without engaging, the stud is stretched and must be replaced before the wheel goes back on.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 is 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm), using a 22mm socket on M14x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 lug nuts?

The 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 uses a 22mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Dodge Ram 1500 years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 59 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 3 of the 59 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Brakes — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Brake fasteners on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the front brake, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 24 ft-lbs (2009-2014); 31 ft-lbs (2015+) (front brake caliper slide pins). Rear brake caliper bracket bolts (disc brake — 4th gen) tightens to 120 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the rear brake. The front brake caliper bracket bolts uses a See notes drive, torqued to 130 ft-lbs at the front brake. At the rear brake, the rear drum brake backing plate bolts — 3rd gen torques to 48 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear brake, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 32 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper slide pins (disc brake — 4th gen)).

Engine — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Spark plug tightens to 27 lb-ft, takes a 5/8" or 16mm driver, runs on M14x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head. The oil drain plug uses a 13mm drive on a M12x1.75 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) at the oil pan. OEM-verified spec. At the valve cover, the valve cover bolt torques to 9 lb-ft (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the engine mount, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 70 lb-ft (engine mount bolt). Oil filter tightens to Hand Tight + 3/4 Turn, takes a Oil Filter Wrench driver, runs on 3/4-16 UNF threads, located at the engine block.

Drivetrain — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The rear pinion nut — 9.25-in uses a See notes drive, torqued to 210 ft-lbs minimum (285 Nm) — set to achieve correct preload at the rear differential. At the drivetrain, the transmission crossmember bolts torques to 50 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the front driveshaft, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 85 ft-lbs (front driveshaft bolts (to front diff pinion flange)). Transmission mount / insulator bolts tightens to 50 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the drivetrain. The rear differential cover bolts — 9.25-in aam axle uses a See notes drive, torqued to 30 ft-lbs at the rear differential. At the rear differential, the rear differential cover bolts — 10.5-in aam axle torques to 35 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear differential, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 65 ft-lbs (Chrysler 9.25"); 103 ft-lbs (AAM 9.25" IFS) (rear ring gear bolts — 9.25-in chrysler/aam). Rear ring gear bolts — 10.5-in aam tightens to 175 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the rear differential. The rear driveshaft bolts (to rear diff pinion yoke) uses a See notes drive, torqued to 85 ft-lbs at the rear driveshaft. At the transfer case, the transfer case flange bolts (output yoke) torques to 65 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the transfer case, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 30–41 ft-lbs (NV241/NV243/NV244/NV273) (transfer case mounting nuts (to transmission adapter)). Front differential cover bolts (4wd) — aam 9.25-in ifs tightens to 30 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front differential. The front axle hub nut (4wd — 3rd gen solid axle) uses a See notes drive, torqued to Beginning: 132 ft-lbs | Rotate 5-10 times | Final: 263 ft-lbs at the front axle. At the front axle, the front axle hub nut (4wd — 4th gen ifs) torques to 185 ft-lbs (See notes drive).

Suspension — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the front suspension, the lower control arm bolts to frame — 4th gen torques to 155 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the rear suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 100 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber (upper and lower) — 4th gen coil spring). Lower ball joint nut — 4th gen (2009-2018) tightens to 37–38 ft-lbs + 90°, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The lug nuts uses a See notes drive, torqued to 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm) at the wheel. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. At the rear suspension, the rear leaf spring u-bolt nuts — 3rd gen torques to 110 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the sway bar link, plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 75 lb-ft (sway bar link nut). Upper control arm bolts to frame — 4th gen tightens to 130 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The front sway bar bracket bolts uses a See notes drive, torqued to 45 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the shock lower mount, the shock absorber bottom bolt torques to 100 lb-ft (18mm drive, M12x1.75 thread). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 40 ft-lbs + 200° (TTY sequence) (upper ball joint nut — 4th gen (2009-2018)). Lower control arm bolt tightens to 130 lb-ft, takes a 21mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the lower control arm. The rear lower control arm bolts — 4th gen coil spring uses a See notes drive, torqued to 200 ft-lbs at the rear suspension. At the rear suspension, the rear shock absorber (upper and lower) — 3rd gen leaf spring torques to 100 ft-lbs (See notes drive). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 150–210 ft-lbs (varies by specific bolt) (lower control arm bolts to frame — 3rd gen). Upper ball joint nut — 3rd gen (2002-2008) tightens to 60 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The lower ball joint nut — 3rd gen (2002-2008) uses a See notes drive, torqued to 60 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the upper control arm, the upper control arm bolt torques to 100 lb-ft (18mm drive, M12x1.75 thread). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 40 ft-lbs (front shock absorber upper nut — 3rd gen). Rear upper control arm bolts — 4th gen coil spring tightens to 120 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the rear suspension. The rear leaf spring front/rear eye bolt nuts — 3rd gen uses a See notes drive, torqued to 170 ft-lbs (standard); 120 ft-lbs (SRT-10) at the rear suspension. At the shock top mount, the shock absorber top nut torques to 25 lb-ft (18mm drive, M12x1.75 thread). For the front suspension, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 100 ft-lbs (front shock absorber lower bolt — 3rd gen). Upper control arm bolts to frame — 3rd gen tightens to 97 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the front suspension. The front sway bar end link nuts uses a See notes drive, torqued to Top (bar side): 16–20 ft-lbs; Bottom (control arm side): 75 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the steering, the tie rod end nut (outer) torques to 45 ft-lbs + 90° (See notes drive). For the steering, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (steering shaft pinch bolt).

Body — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Body fasteners on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. For the bed / body, plan for a See notes tool; final torque is 35 ft-lbs (bed / box mount bolts). Cab mount bolts tightens to 40–45 ft-lbs, takes a See notes driver, located at the cab / body.

Wheel — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Wheel fasteners on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. Center cap clip tightens to Hand Tight, takes a N/A driver, runs on N/A threads, located at the wheel center. The wheel stud uses a N/A drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to Press Fit at the wheel hub. At the wheel hub, the lug nut torques to 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm) (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Brake — 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

Brake fasteners on the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500. The brake caliper slide pin bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 27 lb-ft at the caliper slide pin. At the rotor to hub, the brake rotor set screw torques to 10 lb-ft (T30 drive, M6x1.0 thread). For the brake line to caliper, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.0 stud; final torque is 23 lb-ft (brake line banjo bolt). Brake caliper bolt tightens to 80 lb-ft, takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads, located at the caliper to bracket.

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 numbers above.

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