Steering Rack
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 718
From: S.W. Indiana
An update on these new tires.
There is a noticeable difference in the handling of these new tires vs the old. The front end is splashy. Takes more steering adjustment to keep it between the lines. There are occasions when it seems the front end has a mind of its own. I don't want to make it sound like it's out of control. It's not. It's just splashier than my old 18-1/2 year old tires that had 1/8" of tread left. Maybe these new tires need to wear in a little or my old tires were like driving on slicks. But, still no front end chatter.
There is a noticeable difference in the handling of these new tires vs the old. The front end is splashy. Takes more steering adjustment to keep it between the lines. There are occasions when it seems the front end has a mind of its own. I don't want to make it sound like it's out of control. It's not. It's just splashier than my old 18-1/2 year old tires that had 1/8" of tread left. Maybe these new tires need to wear in a little or my old tires were like driving on slicks. But, still no front end chatter.
Are the new tires radial or bias ply? I rebuilt the front end on my old 1954 Coronet completely and it still followed cracks in the pavement and wandered all over the road. I got some later rims and put radials on the car and that all went away. I also had a truck once that I bought 2 new tires and put them on and it wandered at speed. It turned out I put 2 radials on it and the original tires that were still good were boas ply. The two DON'T mix well.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,267
Likes: 4,197
From: Clayton MI
Are the new tires radial or bias ply? I rebuilt the front end on my old 1954 Coronet completely and it still followed cracks in the pavement and wandered all over the road. I got some later rims and put radials on the car and that all went away. I also had a truck once that I bought 2 new tires and put them on and it wandered at speed. It turned out I put 2 radials on it and the original tires that were still good were boas ply. The two DON'T mix well.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 718
From: S.W. Indiana
A lot of trailer tires are bias ply as well as OTR truck tires are sometime bias ply. Semi's use bias due to being able to recap them. Radials can be recapped but only a couple of tires sizes per mold. Bias you can do a bunch of different sizes.
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Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 473
From: North Carolina
It's the same size tire that I replaced and the pressure is the same (35psi). As far as I know they are radials. As for following the grooves I'm not sure I can say one way or another TBH.
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Joined: Feb 2025
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1993 Dodge Dakota LE, 5.2L, A518 auto trans, RWD, 190,000 miles, original owner
My rack and pinion is leaking. I think I know where it is leaking from but I'm not 100% certain so I'm not gonna say where. I think I will do a dye test to make sure. Meanwhile, I am trying that Lucas power steering leak stop and it does not appear to be working yet. I say yet because you need between 12 - 24 ounces of it and so far I'm less than 12 ounces. I'm kinda letting it leak out and refill with straight Lucas as needed. If this doesn't solve the problem then I think I'm looking at replacing the steering rack. Our late Ralph always recommended the Rack Doctor but I think they went bellyup. Their website is down and I see lots of complaints online. That said, is anyone aware of other rack sources for these Dakotas? I'm talking rebuilds. I want to say these auto parts stores have Cardone (if any at all) but I'm weary of them. I see Rock Auto deals with Cardone rebuilds but also peddle new ones...Edelmann, Lares, BBB Industries. Wouldn't have a clue if any of these new ones are worth a crap TBH. The price range on these new ones are $277 - $469. I'd be interested in opinions on the new ones as well. Thanks ahead of time.
My rack and pinion is leaking. I think I know where it is leaking from but I'm not 100% certain so I'm not gonna say where. I think I will do a dye test to make sure. Meanwhile, I am trying that Lucas power steering leak stop and it does not appear to be working yet. I say yet because you need between 12 - 24 ounces of it and so far I'm less than 12 ounces. I'm kinda letting it leak out and refill with straight Lucas as needed. If this doesn't solve the problem then I think I'm looking at replacing the steering rack. Our late Ralph always recommended the Rack Doctor but I think they went bellyup. Their website is down and I see lots of complaints online. That said, is anyone aware of other rack sources for these Dakotas? I'm talking rebuilds. I want to say these auto parts stores have Cardone (if any at all) but I'm weary of them. I see Rock Auto deals with Cardone rebuilds but also peddle new ones...Edelmann, Lares, BBB Industries. Wouldn't have a clue if any of these new ones are worth a crap TBH. The price range on these new ones are $277 - $469. I'd be interested in opinions on the new ones as well. Thanks ahead of time.
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Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 473
From: North Carolina
I think you were on to it HY. This morning I checked the air pressure on those four new tires I had put on a week and a half ago. They were all reading 40 psi. Supposed to be 35 psi (per the door sticker). I always run them at 35 psi. I always check when they're cold (overnight or usually longer). Not sure how they ended up at 40 psi (I didn't add or subtract air from them, they were what the tire shop put them at) but that's where they were (I use a quality dial air gauge). I took out 5 lbs each. The test drive revealed no splashiness. Wouldn't think 5 lbs would make that much of a difference but apparently it does. Like I said, it wasn't a major problem, but noticeable. Pulling 5 lbs put it back to what i was used to.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,267
Likes: 4,197
From: Clayton MI
UPDATE ON SPLASHY TIRES:
I think you were on to it HY. This morning I checked the air pressure on those four new tires I had put on a week and a half ago. They were all reading 40 psi. Supposed to be 35 psi (per the door sticker). I always run them at 35 psi. I always check when they're cold (overnight or usually longer). Not sure how they ended up at 40 psi (I didn't add or subtract air from them, they were what the tire shop put them at) but that's where they were (I use a quality dial air gauge). I took out 5 lbs each. The test drive revealed no splashiness. Wouldn't think 5 lbs would make that much of a difference but apparently it does. Like I said, it wasn't a major problem, but noticeable. Pulling 5 lbs put it back to what i was used to.
I think you were on to it HY. This morning I checked the air pressure on those four new tires I had put on a week and a half ago. They were all reading 40 psi. Supposed to be 35 psi (per the door sticker). I always run them at 35 psi. I always check when they're cold (overnight or usually longer). Not sure how they ended up at 40 psi (I didn't add or subtract air from them, they were what the tire shop put them at) but that's where they were (I use a quality dial air gauge). I took out 5 lbs each. The test drive revealed no splashiness. Wouldn't think 5 lbs would make that much of a difference but apparently it does. Like I said, it wasn't a major problem, but noticeable. Pulling 5 lbs put it back to what i was used to.
May not seem like much, but yeah, it can make a pretty significant difference. 
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 718
From: S.W. Indiana
UPDATE ON SPLASHY TIRES:
I think you were on to it HY. This morning I checked the air pressure on those four new tires I had put on a week and a half ago. They were all reading 40 psi. Supposed to be 35 psi (per the door sticker). I always run them at 35 psi. I always check when they're cold (overnight or usually longer). Not sure how they ended up at 40 psi (I didn't add or subtract air from them, they were what the tire shop put them at) but that's where they were (I use a quality dial air gauge). I took out 5 lbs each. The test drive revealed no splashiness. Wouldn't think 5 lbs would make that much of a difference but apparently it does. Like I said, it wasn't a major problem, but noticeable. Pulling 5 lbs put it back to what i was used to.
I think you were on to it HY. This morning I checked the air pressure on those four new tires I had put on a week and a half ago. They were all reading 40 psi. Supposed to be 35 psi (per the door sticker). I always run them at 35 psi. I always check when they're cold (overnight or usually longer). Not sure how they ended up at 40 psi (I didn't add or subtract air from them, they were what the tire shop put them at) but that's where they were (I use a quality dial air gauge). I took out 5 lbs each. The test drive revealed no splashiness. Wouldn't think 5 lbs would make that much of a difference but apparently it does. Like I said, it wasn't a major problem, but noticeable. Pulling 5 lbs put it back to what i was used to.
A shop that I let change my oil likes to run tires up to maximum pressure. I always let some air out or it'll wear the center tread out. Maximum is just that, MAXIMUM.
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Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 473
From: North Carolina
Yeah, I pump mine up to 35 psi (the max). Seems whenever i get around to checking my air pressure it's down to 32 psi. So I'm always running 32 - 35. Got 55,000 miles on my last set of Michelins so it must be working.