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rigby38
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2005
20:30:32
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 Subject: loose steering
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i have a 1996 dakota ext. cab 4x4. it has 145000 miles on it. the steering is really loose. is there anyway to tighten it up so it back to somewhat what it was when i got it.
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Craig
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2005
22:20:37
| RE: loose steering
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Can you be a little more specific on "loose"? A loose steering (as in very light) can be due to a damper failing- wouldn't surprise me at 145,000 miles. Loose could be as in a lot of play in the steering wheel. That can be a tie rod end.
If you could just give us a better idea of what you mean by loose I might be able to be more helpful.
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rigby38
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2005
07:04:31
| RE: loose steering
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there is alot of play in the steering wheel. i can turn the wheel about a quarter way either way before the wheels move
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Jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2005
09:18:33
| RE: loose steering
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I would say that is your tie rod ends.
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rigby38
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2005
19:22:53
| RE: loose steering
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how hard is it to replace the tie rod ends
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schmidtmike
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2005
21:28:00
| RE: loose steering
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Tie rod ends on our trucks are relatively simple to replace. Replace both inner and outer tie rods. But if the steering is loose, I would look into a pitman and idler arm replacement, as well as upper and lower ball joints. You should replace them all and save yourself further troubles down the road. The cost will be substantial; around $360 to replace all of the serviceable front suspension parts with top quality MOOG replacements. It is a lot of money, but a worthwhile investment.
TIE ROD END 2 Per Veh ; Front Strg ; Outer, 4WD
$33.19 ea, or $66.38 for 2
TIE ROD END 2 Per Veh ; Front Strg ; Inner, 4WD
$33.17 ea. or $66.34 for 2
IDLER ARM Frt Strg ; 4WD $53.46
PITMAN ARM Frt Strg ; 4WD $32.41
BALL JOINT 2 Per Veh, Frt Susp, Lower ; 4WD
$40.47 ea., or $80.94 for 2
BALL JOINT 2 Per Veh, Frt Susp, Upper ; 4WD
$28.81 ea., or $57.62 for 2
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Craig
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2005
22:41:51
| RE: loose steering
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I don't know if I would recommend ball joints as a do-it-yourself project unless you have a fair ammount of mechanical experience.
I don't know about "replacing it all" though. Seems like a waste. I would replace one thing at a time as it comes. You have 145,000 miles on your truck. Stuff is going to start failing, but it doesn't mean that if the right lower balljoint fails, that all the balljoints are going to fail in a matter of weeks. Sometimes the difference between one side and the other can be astounding, and basically inexplicable.
Probably worth looking at the pitman arm, and especially at the idler arm given the symptoms you are describing. The bushings in the idler arm can wear over time and make the steering wheel able to turn without moving the wheels.
I wouldn't discount a tierod end being worn out though.
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guest
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2009
09:54:46
| RE: loose steering
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Tie rods seem to go bad prematurely on 2005 Dodge Dakota and also some 2005 caravans. Just had my tie rods replaced after failure on the road. Seems this should be a recall. I had read where someone had failure at 21000 miles! Something for all who own these vehicles to be aware of and have your favorite mechanic check them periodically.
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?
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2009
08:29:49
| RE: loose steering
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Message:
It should NOT be tie rod ends , or even ball-joints on a 1996 - these were all greasable .
If any kind of proper maintenance was done at all
then these should be perfectly ok.
More likely problem is steering box .
Have someone turn the wheel back and forth
and look to see where the looseness is..
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or...
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2009
04:44:36
| RE: loose steering
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i got the same problem and its the steering shaft. wiggle the bar under the brake booster
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Da Bumper
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2009
14:48:33
| RE: loose steering
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Bump
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Da Bumper
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2009
22:09:47
| RE: loose steering
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Bump
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chris
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2009
16:34:55
| o5 dakota issue
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I just had my 05' Dakota looked at....It needs outer tie rods and upper ball joint. I am so Happy I use my truck for the city. I would hate to see how this "great" american truck would hold up if I really used it like a truck should be used.
the truck has never seen dirt and only driven to work. The truck has 29k mikes on it. I will never buy a dodge again!!!!!
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can we say
Dodge Dakota
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4/27/2009
17:22:16
| RE: loose steering
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Pot Holes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DuHHHHHHHH
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chuck
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2009
09:00:40
|  RE: loose steering
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i had this problem on my 96 dakota sport.
I took the steering wheel off and the reason is the rubber bushings that connect the wheel to the steering shaft! thats all.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2009
15:12:01
| RE: loose steering
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I have a 1997 dakota 4x4. my steering is also very loose, found out my front left tierod end was bad and had it replaced. but this did not fix the steering. i will check the steering box but can there also be a problem with the power steering pump? maybe air in the lines? i replaced it myself about 8000 miles ago with a remanufactured one, the original one quit on me.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2009
22:49:18
| RE: loose steering
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my old 95 have bad pitman arm that caused loose steering.
- Dan M
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re guest
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2009
22:40:45
| RE: loose steering
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talk to obama ....he owns dodge now
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robert28
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2011
12:34:13
| RE: loose steering
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Message:
i have a 1997 dakota and i am having steering problems, in the snow the front tires want to go left and right on there own and i have to constintly ajust the wheel to gain control of the truck i just replaced inner tie rods but that wasnt it. Anyone have an idea what could cause this.
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1dodgedakota
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2013
09:31:37
|  Dakota Steering Rack Ratios
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Hello, Can anyone tell me what is the steering ratio on the 97 to 04 dakota power rack and pinions 2 wd
Thanks ,
Mike
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