RE: Power Steering Problem??
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 1/7/2008 1:41:09 PM
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BrewerYXE
Posts: 1
Joined: 1/7/2008
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Another 2004 Dakota 4x4 here with the exact same problem as described. So I took it to the dealer to have it checked and surprise, surprise they want to change the Power Steering Pump AND the Rack.
Problem for me is that my warranty ran out 4 months ago so they want to charge me over $2000 for this work to be done. I told the service advisor what I read here in this forum and he went to the mech but of course the mechs ego says no way that its the intermediate shaft. The service adivisor's advice to me if I think it may be the intermediate shaft is to change it at the same time we change the Rack and pump... WTF I was trying to save myself money so they advise me to spend even more!!!!! If it was under warranty I could care less, give me all the new parts you want its your dime, but when its my money you better damn well be sure what you are doing. So I brought it home to figure out what I am going to do with this thing.
So today I decided to to a test of my own, now I am not 100% sure where this intermediate shaft lives but judging from the comments about the u-joint I found a spot that comes off the main steering arm that has a u-joint (knuckle if you prefer) that connects down to the steering rack (accessed from under the hood) so I hosed it down with good ol WD40 as much as I could and went for a ride... guess what, it steered like "butter" ... all the stiffness was gone, it was like a new truck. Now I know this is not a permanent 'fix' but it seems to me that if the pump and rack were bad that squirting some WD40 on a small u-joint would not have solved my problem so I am certain at this point that this part needs to be changed and I will be fine. Anyone agree with this??
Now as for my dealer service department, are they
A) INCOMPETENT
B) RETARDED
C) TRYING TO SCREW THEIR CUSTOMERS
D) ALL OF THE ABOVE
STAY AWAY FROM VARSITY CHRYSLER IN CALGARY, ALBERTA
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 1/7/2008 3:51:53 PM
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jdwinty
Posts: 4
Joined: 10/15/2007
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ALL Of the ABOVE
You would think 4 years (or more) and these guys would be experts at spotting this stuff.
Whats really stupid is that most people would assume this is a Power Steering pump or rack problem and they would only stand to look like a genius by exposing a something unassuming. You certainly have to wonder if the cheap cost of replacement is what factors in here. I actually had the dealer twice now tell me something wasn't covered under warranty. Since I am such a anal twit I always call to confirm with my warranty company. Both times I get the line " We haven't even heard from your dealer and yes, it is indeed covered" Screw these dealers...now and forever! (well sometimes :o)))
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 1/7/2008 4:17:27 PM
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imnothot02
Posts: 2245
Joined: 7/18/2005
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ASE certifcation is a joke anymore, doesn't mean shit, dealers, suck (.) find a mechanic you can trust at a mom and pop type shop
_____________________________
---Travis---
2002 Chevy Trailblazer LT 4.2
1996 Subaru SVX LSi AWD 3.3 L Flat 6 (Highway car)
1987 Grand Am 2.5 L Inline(Just keeps going and going...)
Can't forget the work van 04 3500 EXPRESS lol
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 1/9/2008 2:23:24 PM
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uplifter
Posts: 3
Joined: 1/9/2008
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i also have a 2004 4 x 4 with steering problems. the symptoms are similar to the others on this thread. I just took it in to my dealer today and they checked it out and say the steering coupler on the column is the problem. they are putting it on tommorrow @$300. if it works I will be happy but after reading about others with related problems will wait to see.
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 2/8/2008 7:07:06 AM
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run71324
Posts: 22
Joined: 4/20/2007
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i posted before about mine having problems. they told me the same thing about it being the rack. so i went along with them and while they were taking the old rack off the intermediate shaft just 'poped' off when the mech. went to pull on it. apparently the u-joint came apart when he pulled on it, so they replaced the intermediate shaft for free. once i got the truck back the steering has been fine until this week. now when i go around a corner or turn the steering seems gummy in one spot. once it's past that part it seems fine. the spot where it seems gummy is the same for turning left and right. when going around a curve it sticks and when it releases you end up steering to sharp and have to correct back to the stickey spot. i havn't talked to the dealer about it yet and i was wondering of anyone else is having the same issue.
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 3/26/2008 5:41:01 PM
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dakota problem again
Posts: 1
Joined: 3/26/2008
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Unfortunately I am a new member of the 2004 Dakota 4x4 power steering problem club. My truck has around 65,000 miles on it and recently it has had the problems with the power steering despite enough power steering fluid in the tank. Tomorrow I will give the WD-40 idea a try and let you know how it works. Since automotives are not my specialty, I hope it is relatively easy to locate the U-joint from under the hood.
< Message edited by dakota problem again -- 3/26/2008 9:09:03 PM >
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 3/27/2008 11:37:01 AM
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Joe Sixpack
Posts: 8
Joined: 2/13/2008
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My 04 Quad Cab 4x4 was doing the same thing, stiff jerky steering, but only when cold. I did a search on here and read the posts, gave the u-joints on the intermediate shaft a good shot of PB Blaster, left it overnight, sprayed it again in the morning. Steering is smooth as butter now, like driving a different truck. Hopefully it holds up. I'll give it a shot every oil change now, or every time I have the hood open.
Thanks for the post, BrewerYXE, hopefully this saved me a big bill(pump, rack, etc) at the dealer.
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 3/27/2008 8:27:42 PM
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ricbrk
Posts: 211
Joined: 10/13/2007
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This is a common problem with the 04's, along with other years. Spraying the shaft is a way to anylize the problem, but not a fix. The ujoint will eventually fail, and you know what will happen when that happens. I changed mine in my 04. Not hard at all. I got mine on Ebay from Hall Chrysler Jeep. Genuine Mopar part. I just checked, and he is listing he has 21 available. 2 other's from here ordered them from them also. The price is $119.99 & $13.79 to ship. They ship fast. Go to Ebay and type in, "Lower steering Intermediate shaft Dodge Dakota 01-04", and it will bring it right up. The steering rack shaft, and the steering wheel shaft where the intermediate shaft ends slide on, is slotted where the screw slides through, so it is pretty hard to mess up. You must strap the steering wheel so it can not spin before pulling the intermediate shaft off. I know the wheel locks, but it should be strapped anyway. I used two ratchet straps. If it spins, it could mess up the clock spring in the column. Basically, there are two bolts, one on each end of the intermediate shaft. You cannot just loosen them and pull the shaft ends off, you have to remove the bolts altogether because of the rack end and steering column end being slotted for the bolts to slide through. After I got my old one off, it didn't seem bad, but when I put the lower joint in the bench vise, it was VERY loose. I think I got it just in time before something bad happened. The dealer put two racks and a steering pump in trying to solve the steering problem while still under warranty, but this intermediate shaft did the trick, and the steering's been fine since I changed it.
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 3/28/2008 10:09:07 AM
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run71324
Posts: 22
Joined: 4/20/2007
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the steering on my got stiff and jerky even after the rack was replaced, but it's not the same feeling as before the rack was replaced. it is only stiff when it's cold and once the truck is warmed up good, it's fine. a guy at the auto parts store thought it sounded like a pump problem not building up pressure. it's to the point in the morning that sometimes when i'm sitting still i can't turn the wheel at all, and have to wrestle to get it to steer after i'm moving. like jdmurphy said, It feels like something is binding up then suddenly releasing. i've only had the truck for about a year and only been able to enjoy about 2-3 months of driving it. it's getting to the point where i'm thinking about puting a for sale sign in the window.
i'll give the PB Buster a try tonight
< Message edited by run71324 -- 3/28/2008 10:18:47 AM >
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 3/28/2008 11:04:04 AM
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ricbrk
Posts: 211
Joined: 10/13/2007
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I'd try soaking it with some type of penetrating oil. If you have to change the intermediate shaft, it only takes a few minutes. I took the bolts out, and soaked both ends with liquid wrench real good before trying to slip them off the steering rack and column. What amazes me is that the dealer put two racks on this truck, and did not notice the faulty intermediate shaft even though they had to slide it off of both racks, and that is the end that is going bad on them ?
Intermediate shaft
The lower joint that goes bad
As you can see, the ends of the shaft are square, so it is pretty fool proof to change.
The bolt catches a grooved out end on both the steering rack and steering column. You can see the threads of the bolt just stick up a little.
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RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 3/28/2008 11:27:00 AM
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run71324
Posts: 22
Joined: 4/20/2007
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the dealer that replaced my rack said when they took off the intermediate shaft that it popped apart when they pulled on it, so they replaced it at no cost to me.
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Printable Version
RE: Power Steering Problem?? - 
Just started a couple of weeks ago. 50K miles. I love my truck! No problems till this happened. Took it to the dealer and they said they weren't sure what was causing the problem, so they called Chrysler engineers who told them it was mostly likely contaminated PS fluid and only fix was to replace PS pump and rack together...$500 labor plus $1000 for the parts!! Just so happens my old man works for a company locally that makes these items for Chrysler, so I called him up and was able to get both the pump and rack for a lot less money. I paid the dealer the $500 to install the parts and everything seemed to work fine for about a week. Now, it's doing it again! 
