My 2wd v6 Dakota has some play in the steering - about an inch to the left and right from center. If I move the wheel back and forth repeatedly, I can usually hear a ticking noise as well.

We already had the driver's side wheel fender liner out to do another repair, and we noticed the u-joint on the steering shaft has some corrosion on it, though we couldn't determine 100% that it's the cause of the play, and in my opinion, the ticking noise seems to be coming from higher up in the steering shaft.

Is a bad steering shaft a common cause for play on Dakotas? How hard is it to replace?

I did find some posts on forums about steering shafts causing play, but in all of the accounts I saw, people with failed steering shafts were having a lot more play than I do.

Thanks in advance for replies.

PS. We know ball joints aren't the issue, 3 out of the 4 on my truck were replaced with greasable Moog ball joints.

 

Steering shaft are a issue. Not hard to change. Can be a little hard to get off of steering rack.I remove the bolt and there is a split there took a dull chisel and open it up to get it off. Shaft can be expensive got mine off of E-Bay at a Dodge dealer (Steve White Motors of N.C.) for $200 and is consider cheap.

 

Thanks.

 

Got mine for $96 on Amazon.
Usually if it's the shaft, the steering has a loose-tight-loose feeling. Since the U-joints wear out.

 

yup mines had about 2 inches of play since i bought her last year

 

So, the ticking I hear at about 15-22 moh is a possible steering shaft?

 

Sorry, mph

 

The ticking noise I refer to happens when I rock the wheel from side to side in the area of play - I don't really hear it much during normal driving.