2003 dakota, 4x4, quad cab, 140,000 miles.

I have had this slight steering wheel vibration at high way speed for probably a year now and it's getting on my nerves. I've replaced tires recently and had them balanced numerous times and most recently demanded road force balance. I resurfaced the rotors still had the problem, had the alignment redone again and front end inspected. They said they couldn't find anything wrong. I've check wheel bearings and they both seem fine. I replaced the passenger side back in December, but the drivers side seems fine since there's no play at all and no unusual noise.

The only possible looseness which I can find anywhere might be in the steering rack? Or the inner tie rod joint? With the front jacked up and supported if I quickly grab and shake the wheel back and forth I can hear some play but I can't tell if it's inside the boot covering the joint of the inner tie rod end or in the steering rack itself. Is there even a way to replace the inner tie rod joint?

The drives good and straight. The vibration begins to appear at 65, very apparent at 70, and worse at 75. Occasionally it smooths out at these speeds as well for short periods of time. Normally on a slight turn (10-15 degs or so at high way speeds) will be smooth as well. Any ideas?

Thanks,

 

Sounds like you got it with tie rod ends...or ball joints.

where is the play, vertical, or horizontal? Vehicle in air, grab top and bottom, rock as if you were tilting the wheel off the hub...play = ball joints.
Grab front and back, rock/rotate like you were forcing the steering....play = tie rod ends. You can enlist a friend to wiggle while you look to see inner or outer. I had to replace my pass. side at like 60k.

I say tie rod end cause under a turn, you're stressing that joint, and cramming it into a solid spot, as opposed to straight travel. Good luck...I recommend Moog parts from the quality ive seen of other aftermarket crap.

 

Normally I've seen the outter tie rod end joint wear on other vehicles I've had. Outter joint seems fine. The ***** joints were just replaced recently so those are fine and there's no play when grabbing the tire from top/bottom. The only tiny bit of looseness I can find must be the inner tie rod area. Guess I can try enlist some help so I can better track down the culprit.

 

I'm not meaning to post hi-jack but what would it mean for a side to side road walk?

 

Well, I'm still trying to track down the problem. I haven't replaced anything yet b/c I feel like I'm still just guessing. I'm noticing that the vibration will sometimes come and go even if I am driving completely straight, not necessarily only when turning slightly.

Upon some inspection I've found that the driver's side axle shaft has some vertical play. Not a ton, but noticeably more than the passengers side (which has the shaft extension from the front diff). Is this normal to have some vertical play in the front axle shaft? If the axle were to get off center while at high way speeds could the out-of-balance be causing vibration; then occasionally it gets itself back into center and the vibration disappears??

I did also notice a very small puncture in the CV boot nearest the wheel. Maybe the outter CV joint has been compromised? I don't hear any clicking during turns which is what I thought I would get from a bad CV. Any other good ways to inspect a CV?

Also, w/ the help of my brother I was able to determine there might be just a slight amount of slop somewhere around the steering rack/pinion. I can't tell if it's internal to the rack or at the joint just outside the rack where the tie rod connects. Tie rod ends are good and tight.

Ball joints are relatively new. One wheel bearing/hub assemble is new, the other wheel has no vertical play. No noise which sounds like a bearing either.

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...500-shake.html

Just found this post. Might have verified my theory.

 

There are 4 mounts for the cab that go to the frame and sometimes (In Arizona) the rubber gets smaller and causes the bday to vibrate on the frame causing vibrations at high speeds

 

Welcome to the forum Kalin.

This was an almost 3 year old post so it's not likely you'll get a response.