is that due to the claims that rust converter if not applied thick enough will fail to convert it all and result in more problems?.. but yeah, i agree blasting it would be the best option, its just not one i will be able to do for the foreseeable future

 

Rust converters don't work well with heavy rust such as you show. You need to cut that out totally.

For surface rust they can help.

 

so heres a new problem i will be taking a closer look at today, but the steering is all wonky now, theres about a quarter inch of play in the steering wheel, the vehicle doesnt swerve or anything and i have no issues making it go straight, but this large amount of play is concerning, there is also a clicking sound within this distance of play

if im not mistaken, while turning the steering wheel to make a turn, keep in mind how tight/hard it should be to turn due to no power steering but while turning there will be a point in which it loosens up for about a quarter turn before it tightens back up

i will crawl under it today and have someone move the steering wheel around so i can locate the source of the clicking, my thought is the steering box is damaged, it could just be a tie rod but no idea yet

i still need a means of transportation until the end of june so my brother can get to classes on the outskirts of town where public transportation doesnt go but i think im going to step up my efforts to find another vehicle and list this one in some online classifieds as a parts truck because theres no way in hell its going to pass inspection here or any other state around me.. if i had a place to store it id part it out and sell the remains to a junkyard since i have no personal use for a 4.7L V8

my dad really liked this truck, one of the first things he bought almost new (he died in june) but i cant help but think if he REALLY gave a crap about it he wouldnt have let it fall into such a sad condition

 

Sounds like a good choice that Dakota is long dead part it out.

Find another 2nd gen Dakota in better shape they are cheap to fix and not too complicated.

Good luck

 

im not so sure im going to go with a dakota.. i may not even replace it with another pickup truck and i havent liked any dodges made since daimler took over in 98.. im aware fiat owns them now but theyve gone downhill in my opinion

 

There is no steering box on the '00, it's a rack and pinion.

Clicking? Check the lower intermediate shaft u-joints. Getting tight and loose is a common sign of failure.

 

is that something that could have busted when hitting a pot hole?.. i did hit a big one the other day

 

anyway, it isnt veering to one side or another or moving around, the vehicle is still driving straight which makes me believe it is something with the steering.. could a busted clockspring result in play of the steering wheel because im fairly certain the horn has stopped working too and i think the airbag light comes on sometimes

 

No on the clockspring. It won't give you any play.

The intermediate shaft is in the lower steering column. It can and does get VERY tight. It will turn just as you describe, hard-easy-hard. I bet you'll find it all rusted.

 

im not so sure about that, everything in the engine compartment is pretty clean and free of rust, its mostly just the frame and body.. im just wondering if driving it without power steering and the force i have to put on it did something

but i think youre right on what it might be, the faint flicking also sends a vibration through the gas pedal so it has to be right on the other side of the firewall or floor.. anyway, if thats the case then whats the fix? will it still last me till the end of june?