Yes grease is the answer. WD40 is a penetrating, water displacing, solvent loaded, poor loadlubricator. Goodfor cracking rusted nuts and bolts not much good for anything else.
Try some spay on grease like
"Wurth saBesto HHS2000"

This is high pressure grease in a spray can. Very well suited for this application.

I will use it as a pm on myrig, and hopefuly avoid this whole steering drama.

 

This should be a recall for all 2nd Generation Dakotas having 41 orders in your area is a indication of a potential problem(and I suspect many more in the USA too),I think a big time recall is in order.

 

Hey guys, any updates yet on this problem? I just now as of like an hour ago started having this problem! Did some research and this thread came up.

Im pretty worried now. Is this intermediate arm easily replaceable by myself??

Will that Wurth grease give me a temporary fix? And for how long?

Thanks a ton guys!

Jim

EDIT: I only have 2 wheel drive, does this make a difference. The intermediate shaft on ebay is for 4wd??

 

anyone??

This problem is really starting to bug me now. Its not very safe not being able to steer.

Jim

 

Just start happening to my 2004 Dakota 27K miles, I've had the truck less then a year so not sure if it's been a problem in the past. Will lub it up and see if I can hold off until a recall is issued. Does anybody know if this problem has ever caused or led to a complete failure of steering? I have filled out the dispute form on http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/. Also can a boot be placed around the intermediate shaft ujoints to help keep the grease on the joint?

 

Lub up the Lower Steering Intermediate Shaft joints and it worked for a couple of weeks. Going to replace the Lower Steering Intermediate Shaft this weekend and see if that solves the problem.

 

Many thanks to Vipor01 for the info and pictures and the Dodge Dakota forum for the info on the steering problem with the intermediate shaft.

After driving 40 miles thru salt slush and snow slop, I parked my '04 Dakota Quad V8 4x4. Several days later I found that the steering became tighter than in the old days of no power steering.

So who do you ask? I chose Google and it led me to your site. I followed the suggestions of Vipor01 and low and behold, its back to normal. Any suggestions on continued maintenance of this unit?

Should this unit be replaced or am I safe to keep on keepin' on? Since I live in Ohio, I will see a lot of salt and I can't stay home when it deer
hunting season.

Otherwise it been a great pickup!

 

This is a definite issue for a Recall from Dodge. My steering had become, and still is, extremely stiff. On my way to the mecanic my water pump had shot craps, got that repaired and the mechanic without me stating a word about the steering issue told me that the Intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced after some investigation of their own. Then they proceed to tell me that this part is on a national back-order and is to be released on 7-31-09.
Anyway that is my little rant & rave. Thanks for everyone before me for the info. & pic's!!!