My Dakota all wheel drive developed a problem where steering feels like a 4x4 is engaged on dry roads. My shop said it needed fluid changed so did that and zero fix. Researching the possible problems on the net I get to the steering column U-joints/intermediate shaft being the culprit more often than other issues. Has anyone encountered this and found this to be the fix? Thanks.
Dakota '05 AWD Steering Binding
- Thread starter Ron H
- Start date
pro451bee
Well-Known Member
It could be the intermediate shaft U joint seized.
is the steering difficult or does the whole car bind on turns?
Just disconnect at the rack and test the U joint for free movement.
is the steering difficult or does the whole car bind on turns?
Just disconnect at the rack and test the U joint for free movement.
Daliant
Well-Known Member
A stiff U joint in the intermediate shaft will feel like the steering has 4 stiff spots in it when rotating the steering wheel in one direction or the other.
Don't disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and spin the steering wheel around or you'll damage the "clock spring" in the column.
I like to latch the seat belt through the steering wheel so it can't rotate much and do any damage whenever I disconnect the shaft from the rack.
Don't disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and spin the steering wheel around or you'll damage the "clock spring" in the column.
I like to latch the seat belt through the steering wheel so it can't rotate much and do any damage whenever I disconnect the shaft from the rack.
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