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otismoon
Dodge Dakota
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9/21/2005
13:15:31
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 Subject: Steering Problems
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Message:
I have recently purchased a 02 dak QC V8 2wd. I love it and have but about 3000 miles on it. But I have noticed a steering problem and wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem. At high speeds, 70-90 mph, if I drive over bumps my truck will dart left or right, and the steering wheel will pull to eiter side and come close to losing control. I've also noticed a cluncking sound in parking lots when the wheel is turned all the way to one side. It's still under warranty and want to know what's going on before I bring it in, also any recalls? Thanks for the help!
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davec
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2005
08:40:01
|  RE: Steering Problems
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Message:
Can you feel the clunk? When it happens, see if you can feel it in the floor boards or the steering wheel. This will help you get a better idea of where it may be coming from. Most of the time in the floor boards means suspension, and steering wheel says steering, but not always. This will just help you narrow it down. Does it clunk only when you turn the wheel, or do you have to be moving and flexing the suspension. Gather as much information as possible. The more info you have the better your and your dealer's chances of finding the noise. You may have to ride with the technician so he can verify the noise. If he doesn't hear it, it won't exist.
The darting at 70-90mph.....I would say normal characteristics of a truck. Mine does that and every one I've driven does to. But have your suspension and steering checked to make sure everything is Aok. Have fun.
dave
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ObieWonDakota
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2005
09:02:36
| RE: Steering Problems
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Message:
Clunking might be the ball joints. I believe they are covered under the "extended warranty" that Dodge put out. Had mine replaced that way.
I agree with davec on the going over bumps "darting" aspect. Trucks are light in the rear end and have a tendency to jump right or left over bumps, especially at high speeds. If you are making a turn and hit a bump, it will be even more noticeable.
If this is the first truck you have owned, it takes a while to get used to it in those aspects.
You say you have 3000 miles on it. I'm guessing that is what you put on it yourself. What is the actual mileage?
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otismoon
Dodge Dakota
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9/27/2005
00:44:23
| RE: Steering Problems
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Message:
Thanks for the help guys! This is actually the first vehicle I've owned that isn't more than 15 years older than me. Always been into classics and not used to rack and pinion and such. I'm now thinking it is the ball joints, I put it on jacks and found a lillte movement at the front wheel. Let the boys a t the dealership take a better look. Thanks again.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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9/27/2005
04:21:26
| RE: Steering Problems
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Check out those front wheel bearings also,, I had my 03 QC into the dealer at 35,8xx miles becasue the steering was loose and they replaced the ball joints. Truck still had the problem and I returned at 36,0xx miles and told that I checked the front end and it had a bad wheel bearing. They replaced the bearing and we went round and round about who was going to pay for it...
The symptoms of the bad wheel bearing were I would hit a bump going around a corner at 70-80 MPH and the steering wheel/front wheels felt wobbly, almost like there wan't good contact with the road,,, almost to the point of being scarry.
With this repaired the truck still felt a little loose and unsettled in corners, replaced the stock shocks with Monroe Reflex shocks and the truck handles great.
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