I own a 1993 dodge dakota v6 engine automatic 4x4 with 175k miles on it.


I have to get my truck inspected at the end of the month and unfortunately my truck wants to challenge me once again.

Well, my steering has 2 inches of play when turning and it's not really tight. It feels like the power steering is giving me to much power making my turns feel to easy and loose. Also I hear a popping sound when making sharp turns on grass and sometimes on the road. Another sound I hear is a creaking noise when I turn the wheel right to left, but that sound only happens when I'm not in motion. There are no steering leaks and my power steering works good. Oh and I changed my left upper and lower ball joints a couple months ago so I have yet to do my right side.

Problems recap

1. creaking sound (happens only in park)

2. some play in steering wheel

3. popping sounds

4. steering wheel is to easy to turn

5. My truck pulls to the right meaning I have to hold the steering wheel to the left.



I appreciate the help from this site

Thanks

 

The most common problems will be the Pitman arm, Ilder arm, Tie rod ends. And just like you said, ball joints. Lift up the front wheels and move them around up, down, side to side, wiggle. See what moves and what doesn't.

 

+1. And just to add one thought, the popping sound could be worn out CV axles.

 

I checked all those parts today and they were very tight and secure with no play. Uh... As for my CV joints they have a little bit of play and seem to wiggle. Should my CV joints be very tight?


How about the kingpin?

 

In my experience, unless the pitman arm is ready to almost fall off, you need to have someone turn the steering wheel while you watch for play and you really have to check this while the truck is on the ground. If the truck is in the air and you just take a look at it it will look fine, again unless it's about ready to fall off. If you've checked everything described above and they are in fact tight, then I would start looking at the steering box itself. As for the CV joints, they should not have that much play in them. Inspect the boots at both ends for cracks or tears. If you find any, that could be the culprit. Depending on how long it's been making the noise, you may have caught it in time and only have to replace the boots and refill with grease. The creaking you are hearing may be coming from the bushings on the control arms. I have that creaking too but, haven't had the time to get underneath to see what I can grease to fix it..LOL. 95_318SLT and Crazy4x4 know there stuff, listen to them.

 

No kingpins on our trucks.

 

lol really? A mechanic told me that could be my steering problem. Anyway I'm going to do another steering check in my garage and unfortunately the cv joints are probably bad since they are 17 years old and have 175k miles of wear.

my guess but I will check better this time.

thanks

be back