I am noticeing hard or stiff steering on my truck..It has 76,000 miles is all

the pump appears to be working and it is full of fluid...Just seems to be steering different now..What do you suppuse it is? thanks John

 

Steering Shaft the little U joints get all rusted up and stiff crawl under and inspect them if rusted up they don't move so good.

You probably need to replace the shaft $150 and up very common problem on Dakotas

WD 40 them will help but you need to replace the shaft

 

Do not buy the entire assembly that 98DAKAZ posted a picture of. You probably only need the intermediate shaft. Very common and easy to replace. I just did it on mine. You can find oem shafts on ebay for less than $100.

 

has everyone on this forum become so rude and bad mouthed

F off

an opinion is fine but don't slap the other poster down with your opinion

 

Whoa. No disrespect was intended. You are definitely right that it is the ujoints that are bad. I was just trying to save him some money as the upper shaft usually does not need replaced. Sorry for coming across as an ***.

 

i appreicate your replies.I am going to try to lube the u joints with grafite lube and see if that helps.... to me

 

it may be a good idea to start with WD40 first to flush as much rust out as you can. I'm not sure on the graphite lube? After the flush I used engine oil dripped on them something heaver like bearing grease would be better but I don't think it would get down into the joints. The WD40 is only good as a flush not as a lube as its too thin and evaporates fast leaving almost nothing behind. These joints were not made to be serviced just replaced

You will need to replace the shaft guaranteed 100% if rusted bad and I'm sure it is

 

well from what I can see the shaft is not really all that rusty,The joints just appear to be dry or what ever.I did oiol them instead of the grafite and I can see a bug difference in it already...How much of a job is it to change the shaft anyway..Any special tools needed?

 

It isn't difficult at all; a bolt at the top and a bolt at the bottom. Learn from my dumbassery and make sure you take both bolts all of the way out.

I was told to strap the steering wheel in place to not mess up the clockspring.

 

to keep it from turning you mean...