Hey guys I have a 2003 2wd Dakota with 153,000 miles on it.

The steering wheel has developed some slop in it, sometimes I can hear or feeling a clunking/cicking noise. The ball joints upper and lower and sway links were replace 2 years ago, about 15,000 miles ago. I replaced both my inner and outer tie rods 2 weeks ago and that did not help.

Here is a short video.

Thoughts?

 

with both front wheels off the ground and wheel unlocked (key on)wiggle the tire back and forth, is there any play in anything? look at the column u-joints any play there? possibly internal rack wear, also wiggle tire from top and bottom to make sure no excess play there, shouldn't cause steering wheel play, but hey could happen I guess

 

Your truck have rack-n-pinion or a gear box?

If it's a gear box you can adjust some of the play out but be careful.
If not done correctly the gear box can LOCK UP and make it very very hard to turn steering wheel.
I had slop in my steering wheel and was able to take out most not all but most by adjusting the steering box.

If you want to know how just let me know.

 

My wife's durango had the same problem a couple years ago. It turned out to be worn rack.

Chad - 03 Dakota Sport Quad Cab, 01 Durango R/T, 98 Ram Quad Cab

 

I replaced the intermediate steering shaft, this fixed the problem and made the truck drive so much better. this thing was a nightmare to get off, it was seized up.

 

Did you go with OEM or aftermarket?

 

I went with the Dorman brand.


I can upload a picture of it if you need.

 

I forgot about that. We did the intermediate shaft on the Durango once too. I paid a shop. Only cost a couple hundred for something that looked like a major pain, so I was happy

Chad - 03 Dakota Sport Quad Cab, 01 Durango R/T, 98 Ram Quad Cab