when turning the steering wheel, the wheel is free spin for an inch or so then grab and turn the wheels. sorry for lack of terms. '01 dakota is 4x4 with power steering. any idea?

 

turn the wheel back and forth 6 inches with someone or you under the truck looking at the tie rods, etc. look for any delay in movement with both tires in relation with each other and then relation with the steering wheel, could be a bunch of things. how many miles and are they the original tie rods?

 

as far as i know they are original. if they ever were replaced they were oem. 180k miles. will try that this weekend. thanks