I have a 95 Dakota, V6 automatic, anyways the trucks steering wheel locks up when driving around 30 mph and turning right. my son was driving the vehicle to school and told me it happened to him a couple of times. Off course I thought he was crazy but checked it out and sure enough after almost taking out a mail box I was a believer. I have parked the truck since. The steering wheel is off to instead of 9 and 3 it is more like 11 and 5. The airbag light is on the dash panel and I think the wires may have pulled out since the wheel is off by so much. It is a shame though the truck only has 105k on it. anyone know what may be wrong with it? Is this a common problem?

 

you have a bad air bag clockspring, thus the reason why the air bag light is on. Was the air bag light on before the steering wheel started acting up or did it occur after you drove it?

 

Something in the mechanism that locks the wheel when the key is out. Just tare it all apart and see what is going on. If you have to rip out the wheel lock system.

 

the airbag light came on after it started acting up. I will take it apart this weekend and see if taking the lock mechanism off will work. How do i get the steering wheel back at 9 and 3 is a bigger question? might possibly be something going on with the rack and pinion?

 

If I remember correctly the steering wheel only goes on 1 way. If your sure it is off, then maybe try to park it with the wheels straight, then when you try install the wheel you know where straight needs to be. If you can't do that it is adjustable by the alignment shop.

 

When I was driving on freeway months ago, Suddenly I was not able to trun the steering wheel to right. Everything else was normal, the car was running. I was on very right lane, I was so lucky, I could stop my car without having an accident. the car was 4 cylinders pick up truck, 2001 Dodge Dakota.

 

This is an old thread, so some of these people might not be around anymore. If you're looking for help in figuring out what's wrong with your truck, you might be better off starting a new thread.

 

well since Tom brought it back to the top maybe no need for new thread, BUT it's something I would certainly have to see the truck for myself to figure out whats wrong