Steering slack - 1997 Dakota

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Barry - 11 Mar 2008 17:26 GMT

Anybody know what creates the problem with slack in the steering of a
vehicle? Multiple different possibilities I imagine, right?

Barry

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Tom Lawrence - 12 Mar 2008 05:28 GMT

> Anybody know what creates the problem with slack in the steering of a
> vehicle? Multiple different possibilities I imagine, right?

1. Worn ball joints in drag link
2. Worn idler arm
3 Worn steering box
4 Worn U-joints in intermediate shaft

With the engine off, steering unlocked, see if there's free play in the
steering wheel. If so, it's either the intermediate shaft or the box. If
not, it's probably the drag link or idler arm (if so equipped)

Grab the intermediate shaft with a big set of
pliers/channel-locks/vise-grips, hold tight, and have someone (try to) turn
the steering wheel back and forth. If it wobbles, the upper U-joint of the
imtermediate shaft is worn. If it doesn't, the play is in the steering box.

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Tom Lawrence - 13 Mar 2008 04:40 GMT

Also, if you have a tilt column, the wear could be in the U-joint within the
column. If you can grab the top half of the U-joint on the intermediate
shaft where it connects to the base of the column (coming through the
firewall), and hold that with a large pair of pliers, you can check the
steering wheel the same way. If it still wobbles, then it's the joint in
the column.

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