I noticed when rotating my wheels that there is a little bit of play in the steering column which I can also feel when driving. I thought I had read something a while back about tightening the column. Is this possible or do I have to replace the column?

 

There is no tightening up the play.

You have one.... or possibly more things wrong, check them all

Intermediate shaft failing
Tie rod ends (inner or outer) failing
Rack and Pinion failing

One if not all might need to be replaced

 

The tie rods appear to by tight same with the rack and pinion but I can see play in the steering column.


Thanks.

 

There are two sections to the column held together with a pinch bolt. A round pipe clamped around a squared pipe. Very poor design. I tightened mine several times and the noise would go away for a few months, then come back. I finally got tired of it and drilled a hole through the joint and bolted it together.

Separately, I had a squeaky steering wheel. I read here that several folks had gone to the dealer and ended up getting the whole steering column and wheel replaced. Not cheep! Later, I ran across a Dodge document instructing dealers how to fix the squeak. It requires you to loosen the fasteners holding the rubber boot to the floor. Turn the steering wheel back and forth to allow the boot to find it's natural location, then tighten it back down. It's been two years and no squeaks!

 

I don't have a squeak but there is play and upon visual inspection it looks like it is a loose or worn steering coupling. I was hoping it is possible to just tighten and not have to replace. Having a hard time finding a part supplier that sells one.

 

http://www.factorymoparparts.com/55351234ab.html

http://rtpartscointernational.com/55351234ab.html


http://www.ebay.com/itm/APDTY-536377-Steering-Shaft-Lower-Intermediate-w-Universal-Rag-U-Joint-s-/231077911963?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35cd511d9b&vxp=mtr
http://www.dodgepartsstore.com/oem-p...aft/55351234ac

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-LOWER-STEERING-INTERMEDIATE-SHAFT-2005-2011-DAKOTA-RAIDER-55351234AC-/380534607867?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5899a14ffb
Hope that is enough links to get you started lol

Part # is 55351234AC

 

Thankyou.

 

Changing the intermediate shaft is pretty easy, one pinch bolt on top, one on bottom.

You do not have to worry about how it goes in because the shafts have flat spots that only allow it to go on one way.

I would make sure to hit those bolts with some PB Blaster a few times a day or so before you try and remove the bolts. Mine was rusted to bad I had to drill it out.

If the pinch bolts come out easy it should only be an hour job tops from start to finish

 

I had quite a bit of play in the steering wheel for a while. My neighbor, whose a mechanic, took a look a it and all he had to do to fix it was tighten a bolt just under and behind the wheel. It hasn't had any sloppiness since then. Been about 4 months now.

 

I think that is what I read up on a while ago. Do you know exactly the bolt location? Hid your mechanic have to take apart the steering wheel?