[Noogies]

Hey, guys.

The truck is a 2002 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7/auto with about 125K on it. Not actually sure how much of a problem I have but I thought I'd launch a pre-emptive strike and see what the forum's collective wisdom can tell me.

The issue is this: the steering is getting kind of intermittently twitchy just off center. I'll be driving along in a straight and while making a minor steering correction, I'll feel a little kind of vibration through the steering wheel as it returns to center -- as though I'd driven over a pebble. As I say, it happens intermittently -- every couple of miles, but the frequency seems to have increased lately.

Everything else feels good -- the truck tracks straight, feels like I could drive for miles on a straight road without touching the wheel if I had to. I just get this weird little off-center steering hesitation that's really no big deal, except the increase in frequency makes me wonder what it's leading up to.

So whattay'all think? Any input or opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[Little Blue Guy]

sounds like a pump is going out...do a complete fluid flush and install quality PS fluid and see what happens

 

[Thomcat316]

Another possibility is that this may be a very minor indication of wear/degradation in the steering/suspension "somewhere". The following is based on experience with other makes, but should be reasonably valid for Dakotas.

Quick non-running static check for steering would be to check the rod ends and rack by getting under the front end and tugging on the rod ends, inner and outer, followed by lifting one corner at a time (from under the lower control arm) and checking for play by trying to move the wheel and feeling for a little clunk. Rack play can be checked by hand by turning the steering input shaft with one hand while using your fingers to check that the rack moves at the same time, the goal being to feel a fully-meshed steering rack and pinion (no free play).

Dynamic test would be to exaggerate the "through center" motion on a smooth flat parking lot and see if there's still the same (or bigger) feeling. If it's bigger, it's possibly bushings. If the static check shows nothing, try the fluid flush, and if that doesn't work have a suspension shop check all the bushings and ball joints for play.

 

[joeld]

Steering linkage

start the truck and open the hood. have someone sit in the truck (not my wife as she may run you down), and twist the steering wheel back and forth and look for play in the universal joints within the steering column linkage. I've had that go on two of my dodges and need to replace in my Durango once weather improves. My first Durango got sloppy by current Durango is getting stiff to turn if I don't regularly oil the universal joints.

 

[Noogies]

Some good places to start. Thanks, guys.