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Tim Comer
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2003
12:35:42
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 Subject: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Hi all. Just stumbled on to this board. I have a 2002 4WD Shortbed Dak with the 4.7 auto. And I have the infamous dull sounding rattle in the front end. While trying to find the source of the rattle, I found the passenger side boot of the rack starting to get covered with oil. Nothing dripping, just the boot has oil on it. After looking through the archives, I see these trucks have not so stout racks on them. Since it is obvious that the rack is going out, is this the source of the rattle? Or do you think the ball joints are failing also? And what is the best way to check the ball joints? This truck only has 29000 miles on it. But after looking at all the posts seems like Dodge would come up with a better solution. And the warranty is up. Thanks for any and all answers.
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Tim Comer
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2003
18:04:14
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Can't anyone help me? Are the racks that hard to change out?
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Rob454
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2003
06:19:00
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Not really hard to change out jsut a pain.
If you do get a rack then make sure its a quality one not some chineese rip off
Rob
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Julian
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2003
08:46:25
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Tim,
I have an 01 QC and they just replaced teh rack and pinion under warranty - BUT I still get some lovely noises and popping in the front end! I called Dodge 800 # and talked to the rep. He said the noises are most likely the ball joints. Funny they know straight away what it is - they must replace thousands a day!
Get the dealer to replace the rack - grit/grim etc has likely gotten in the joints of the rack and pinion and will fail soon.
Good luck.
J~
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chaching
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2003
09:53:13
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Don't think your warranty is out at 29k better check again.
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Tim Comer
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2003
12:16:26
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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I bought this truck in September of ’99 so the warranty is up on it. So Julian, you think the ball joints are shot also? I kinda wondered what was up. The dull rattle seemed like it was on the driver’s side, but the rack is leaking on the passenger side. Lucky me. Have they improved the replacement parts? Or is this going to happen again? I beat this truck pretty hard on the farm sometimes when I’m rounding up cattle. And thanks for the replies.
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Kevin 2K3
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2003
12:50:20
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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I also just had my steering rack replaced (under warranty) on my 2003 QC. I still hear a vibration while on wash-boarded gravel roads, but it seems to be coming from the column. It does seem to have cured the pop and groan from the right front and definitely tightened up the play in the steering wheel.
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Tim Comer
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2003
19:52:38
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Is there a good quality after market rack to replace this with? I only hope to do this once, but after some of the posts that I’ve seen, it doesn’t look too promising. And I like this truck too. It has plenty of get-up-and-go. Other than the worthless AT tires, it’s a nice truck. Oh, what is the best way to check the ball joints? Thanks again for the replies.
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Julian
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2003
11:22:00
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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I called Dodge the other day and they guy told me the popping noises (or what ever) was most likely the ball joints. I told him that the upper one on the passanger side was already replaced - BUT... funny enough, he did not show it on his computer. That's a whole other story.
Anyway, he said to take it back and have them (the dealer) inspect all the ball joints. He also said that if I was not happy with that dealer to take it to ANY Chrysler dealer - including any jeep dealer! that sounds crazy, but true.
Someone recently told me that it 'could' be the CV joints on the front end. Sounded a little strange - but worth a look at. I am just sick and tired of the bi-weekly visit to the dealer. I may just call the service mgr up and have him come pick the truck up from my office!
I get so discouraged with this truck that I just want to get ride of it. I then load up my motorbike and a friends bike on the trailer hitch as well as all the camping gear and bike gear and off we go to the woods to ride. This truck is the most useful vehicle I have ever owned! I love the truck, the looks, the power, the color (burgundy and silver 2-tone) BUT just CANNOT STAND the crappy workmanship and quality of the crappy parts that they use. I need new brakes and want to put Powerslot/Hawk combo, but not if I am not keeping it much longer. It needs some TLC and will wax it this weekend. I think that might help change my mind and remind me how much of a nice truck it is (or at least try to tell myself that!)
If only they could fix the issues. They just seem to replace the bad parts with the SAME parts that we know go bad. Why not upgrade their parts since they know they go bad all the time?
Ok.... getting off the soapbox now.
For what it's worth - I have the 01 4.7 V-8 Quad Cab. The only additional things I have done is K&N airfilter, Bridgestone Dueler Revo II tires (fantastic tires by the way) and a remote starter (BEST thing ever in my books!)
Best of luck with our popping/creaking noises!
Julian
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Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2003
12:03:51
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Change the fluid in you power steering system and drive it for a while.
Doing this will help soften the seals in some cases and the leak will go away.
Dr. D
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Ball Joints
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2003
18:11:43
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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To check your ball joints, uppers with vehicle sitting normal on the ground reach in at the top of the tire with both hands and push and pull if the uppers are loose you will see the movement in the top of the wheel. For the lowers raise the lower control arm with a floor jack untill the tire is off of the ground about 1/2" use a prybar, 24" works nice, and place it between the tire and the ground and lift. If the lowers have play in them you will see movement in the lower part of the wheel, depending how bad they are you might hear a clunking sound.
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Tim Comer
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2003
20:24:45
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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I can’t get any movement at the 12 and 6 O’clock position on either side. I can get movement at the 9 and 3 O’clock on the passenger side front tire. I figured that was the rack. Oh well, thanks for the answers. Look like I need to be on the hunt for a rack replacement.
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bigred
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2003
12:50:00
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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The dealer replaced the rack on my 01 about a year ago after I complained of oil leaking from it. After it was replaced, I changed the engine oil and realized the old gasket from the previous change was still on the block (i.e.) 2 gaskets. The filter is right above the rack. I don't think there was a rack problem on mine. I didn't realize other people were having problems with the rack and was wondering why they were so quick to change it.
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Tim Comer
Dodge Dakota
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7/20/2003
21:51:35
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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I didn’t know there was a problem with the racks until I found this board. Can’t make up my mind if I want the dealer to replace it or buy a rack and have a friend replace it. He used to work at the Dodge dealership, but struck out on his own. Decisions, decisions.
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vince
Dodge Dakota
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10/26/2010
12:54:43
|  Seepage in Rack And Pinion.
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I was failed for safty test because they said I had a leaking PS rack and loose inner tierod..
I jacked up the car and checked the rack and there is some seepage but not alot I think the outer tierods are bad on booth sides I have alot of movement..I'm going to pull the tires and the rods out and look at the seals at the rack.
since I have not experienced any play or clunking in the steering I think this will solve my issue but have never done this before.. any suggestions?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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10/26/2010
17:42:22
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Better look at those inner tie rods. I think those will go before the outer do. Both are very easy to change out.
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vincei
Dodge Dakota
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10/30/2010
20:49:12
| RE: Leaking Rack And Pinion.
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Yes the inner rods under the boots are bad also
I will change them out thanks
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