I've got an 06 Dakota R/T that for the most part has been a good vehicle, but the Steering has some issues. About 3 yrs after purchase, I started getting some play(while moving at highway speeds) in the steering wheel & occassional popping noises when steering in static or low speed parking manuevers. My Dodge dealer replaced the intermediate shaft as listed per the TSB, but the issue is now noticeable again(1 yr later) regarding wheel play & steer/bump sensitivity while encountering slight road variations & the obvious rail road track crossings & potholes. Some noise is occassional as well. My dealer recently replaced the tie-rod ends with Moog brand regreasable units which helped somewhat, but the problem is rearing its head again to a slight degree.

I like the truck, it runs great & has rarely been offroad, but am concerned with the driveability & potential safety issues involved. BTW, I don't have wheel shimmy at very high velocities. A problem exists I believe in the design, materials or installation in the steering system.

Any other similar issues out there or solutions?

Thanks,
Mark the engr

 

I had this issue also, had the ball joints replaced (no fix), had the outer tie rods done (no fix), had the sway bar links and bushings replaced (no fix). Then my warranty expired. I bought a Intermediate shaft (fixed my issue). Now a year later the issue is returning. I have not jumped into figuring it out, but all that is left is the inner tie rods, or the rack it self.

 

Had the lower ball joints inspected?

Has the rack been inspected?

 

I had a similar problem on my 07'. Mine was a little loose and it was making a clicking noise. I took her to the dealer anf they changed the intermediate steering shaft and that fixed the problem...

 

Which part is the intermediate steering shaft? Is that the whole shaft assy from wheel to rack, including the u-joint or just part of that assembly?

 

Just the middle one, there are 3 parts. If you give a chance i'll give you the part number!!!

 

I did not found the part number but i found this on the NHTSA WEB PAGE:


Service Bulletins - Search Results


Search ResultsReport Date : January 19, 2011 at 12:07 PMSearch Type : VEHICLE Year : 2006 Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA

Results : 11 | All records displayed Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year :

2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 2500108Date of Bulletin : JAN 08, 2008NHTSA Item Number :

10024083 Component : ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)Summary :

POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM FREEZES IN EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES -- INVOLVES INSTALLING REVISED PCV SYSTEM COMPONENTS. *NJ Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 1900407 Date of Bulletin : OCT 10, 2007NHTSA Item Number : 10023394 Component :

STEERING:COLUMN Summary :

STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT - POP, CLICK, OR CLUNK-LIKE SOUND WHEN TURNING. *NJ Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 2304106 Date of Bulletin : AUG 08, 2007NHTSA Item Number : 10023351 Component : EXTERIOR LIGHTINGSummary :

EXTERIOR LAMP - LENS FOGGING. *NJ Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 2100507 Date of Bulletin : MAR 20, 2007NHTSA Item Number : 10021426 Component : POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary :

IMPROVED HILL CLIMB CAPABILITY IN REVERSE OR DTC'S P1713 / P1776. *KB Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 2100206 Date of Bulletin : DEC 09, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10020935 Component : POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary :

FLASH 42RLE - IMPROVED HILL CLIMB CAPABILITY IN REVERSE OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1713/P1776. *KB Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 2304706 Date of Bulletin : OCT 21, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10021248 Component : VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDSummary :

CRACKED WINDSHIELD DUE TO BEING HIT BY A FOREIGN OBJECT LIKE A STONE. *KB Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 0300306 Date of Bulletin : OCT 20, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10020924 Component : SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLESummary :

AXLE FLUID LEVEL. *KB Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 0803006 Date of Bulletin : AUG 25, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10021239 Component : POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSummary :

POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *KB Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 1800106 Date of Bulletin : JUL 12, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10020282 Component : EQUIPMENTSummary :

STARSCAN@/STARMOBILE ABORT RECOVERY PROCEDURES. *TT Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 2101705 Date of Bulletin : FEB 14, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10019525 Component : POWER TRAINSummary :

FLASH: 42RLE - IMPROVED HILL CLIMB CAPABILITY IN REVERSE OR DTC'S P1713 / P1776. *TT Check to Request Research. Submit below.

Make : DODGE Model : DAKOTA Year : 2006 Manufacturer : CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Service Bulletin Number : 1400106 Date of Bulletin : JAN 21, 2006NHTSA Item Number : 10019243 Component : FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERSummary :

LOOSE FUEL CAP MESSAGE OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457 - EVAP SYSTEM - LOOSE FUEL CAP. *TT Check to Request Research. Submit below.

 

Please check the pinch bolt under the dashboard at the steering column, mine was loose, I had pulled the intermediate shaft and it was totally intact. Found loose pinch bolt under the steering column was not tight.
I tightened and all is well.
Cheap fix.

 

I just drilled a hole through them and bolted them together. Rattle fixed.