Hey. I found out some more about the power steering racks that Dodge uses on its trucks.

I found a great site for car complaints, and there are some dodge dakota steering issues on it for the 05+ model years, but even MORE scary, are the issues of the history of the Dodge Rams as seen below:

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/R..._failure.shtml

I really hope that this doesnt wind up happening to us. You can see several guys replaced rack after rack after rack, and they just keep sh*tting the bed.

I guess we know it 100% was not the lift kit that caused my issue, it seems to be the quality of the rack. I doubt the part is much different from the ram vs. the dakota.

 

I hope you are wrong!

 

That sucks, I've had to replace my steering pump one time already and it feels like it's starting to act up again. I had it replaced about 5k miles ago. I can't remember how much it cost. I spent $1800 bucks in total, this was for 1 balljoint, steering pump and transmission line and had some other regular maintenance work done. When I took the truck in for the steering issue I found out all those other things were wrong with it. Truck has 46k miles.

 

Just replaced my second return line on the P/S in less than two months, plus both shops said the rack was leaking, and just got that stupid speed sensor issue fixed.....o god what next!

 

Damn.

 

Dodge has a real issue with light duty truck front ends. Mine is trouble free to date, but I feel it's just a matter of time.


At least I have GEICO mechanical breakdown insurance up to 100,000 miles...

 

This seems to be the only thread relevant to my situation. I have an 06 Dakota 4x4 that has gone through 7 power steering pumps. I have had the rack and lines replaced, current mechanic is suggesting a ZF pump. I have no clue, the front drivers side is so loud and squeaky its unbearable. Steering is fine when it is cold but after it running I loose power at lower RPMS. I have to gas it to get around a corner. Any help before I light it on fire

 

Could be the pump, or the rack. If the pump is loud, time to replace it. Spend the money on a GOOD quality pump. NOT cardone..... their quality is abysmal. (I went thru three, and finally just sprung for a better pump. That worked.) If you still have power steering issues, time for a rack.