I have a question for the mech out there????
My steering was getting a little stiff so I check the fluid level and added only a little bit of fluid but in the last couple days it's gotten worse, fluid level is still good, it feels like I have no power steering and will turning it feels like it has "edges" on the turn. The pump or the belt are not squealing and the pump pulley is turning.
Time for a new pump or more costly steering box ???

Oh yea and there is no blinking dash lights or codes showing.

 

Well lets start to help the diagnosis process. Please provide vehicle information

- what type of fluid did you add? I hope it was aft-4 anything else will break the seals down and destroy the rack
- we do not have a steering box, its a rack and pinion and are unlikely to cease up unless the arms are bent.

- I would say your problem is more likely
- lower ball joints
- Upper ball joints
- Tie rod ends
- Intermediate shaft

 

My steering gets really stiff in the winter, but it's fine during the summer. I figured it was the nature of the beast....

 

yep used ATF 4+ just like the book says.you see I used to own a 86 chev, knew lots about it ,power steering box. don't know to much about the dak. It's a 05 club cab 4x4,4.7 . Trying to learn as much as I can. When I bought the truck I got a 3 year drive train warranty so I've got to phone to see if the steering is covered.
The steering problem just started out of no where, it wasn't slowly getting "choppy" all of a sudden it was stiff. So like Eimer123 says it's a bent shaft, but I haven't been any where 4x4ing and run into something to bend it.

 

Okay just jacked up the front end,

upper and lower ball joints tight
Tie rod ends tight
and the steering shafts appear to be straight

other than pump gone, which when held all the way to lock it squeals a little?

 

Remove the belt and pull/push in and out on the power steering pulley. There should no play what so ever. The pump doesn't have to whine or leak to be bad, low pressure will give symptoms like you decsribe.

 

Before you go out spending money on parts that you are not sure will fix the issue, you can get a pressure tester and see what the pump is at. The specs are in the service manual.

 

I just went to see a mech { went to school with him}

He checked and said it is proably the steering shaft, he's replaced a few that where doing the same thing as mine. Takes about 1/2 hr to pull the shaft and see if the little U joints are binding, he says he's 95% sure that's what it is. Guess I have to do some work tommorro. I checked with the dealer on recalls, there is none on my truck, the new part would cost a whooping $395.00, that's just stupid for that shaft that's about 20" long with 2 little none greaseable U joints, maybe auto wreckers instead.

 

I picked up my shaft for $260 from the dealer. Look online and you can find them in the $200 range.

 

The part # you want is OEM #55351234AC this is the larger v2

Lots of them on ebay for about $160

This is the guy i bought from

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DAKOT...item1c15812109