Dodge Dakota Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement

Replacing a Dodge Dakota intermediate steering shaft can be a little tricky but there are some tricks that can make it easier. It's a simple bolt-on fix for a rough turning steering wheel. If your steering is jerky or hangs up when turning, good chances are you need to replace your intermediate steering shaft.
Amazon:
3rd Gen 05-11: amzn.to/2nF9d6F
2nd Gen 97-04: amzn.to/2ohpHlF

[@DontDodgeIt...RamIt...Dammit.]

This was nothing short of amazingly helpful...even on a gen 2 Dakota 4x4, it was extremely similar. Thanks for the help. And thanks for taking the time to post, whether others appreciated it or not.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Glad it helped!

[@david9783]

Well I FINALLY got this thing done, thanks to you. Getting the old one out was harder than installing the new one (for me anyway). This was a great post- thanks a million!

[@appalachiandiy2415]

I'm glad it helped, and thank you!

[@david9783]

Boys I'm in for it now- got my part today... will let y'all know how it went. This video offers a lot of encouragement.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Thank you, and good luck!

[@seanszabunka9055]

Were you able to do it? I got my part in the fall but then winter hit hard. I thought it was the pump and after messing that up 3 times and got a new one in, that wasn't even it. Lol. Wish I knew this could have been my problem.

[@david9783]

@@seanszabunka9055 Sean... yes I was successful, but it took me a while, about 4 hours! No more slop in my steering wheel.

[@Warlock73]

Finally got the part. I only have hand tools, no pneumatic stuff. Is this still gonna be possible?

[@Miscreatixn117]

That was the easiest steering shaft replacement I’ve ever done . Everything was super accessible

[@appalachiandiy2415]

yes! it was surprising, finally something the engineers got right, haha

[@Miscreatixn117]

Probably the reason why it fails commonly, right out in the open exposed like that lol.

[@michaelmask7296]

I've got a question, I wonder if I can use that same steering shaft on my 93 dakota ?

[@gittyupalice96]

god dam, that was easy lol. Have an 05 now, that needs it done.. When I did my 88 dakota a year ago, I had to cut the upper shaft off with a torch ( it does not un-bolt from the steering wheel ) then weld on a brand new Borgeson upper, and fabricate a lower half to a new steering box.. was a HUGE pain in the ass and required a torch, plasma cutter, and 240V 30Amp welder for the THICK material involved... needless to say 05 dakota, NO problem. lol

[@appalachiandiy2415]

HOLY! what a mess doing it to the old one. Yea the new ones are more simple than i thought they would be.

[@Jrpg1038922]

Oh God those brake lines look like mine did on my 04 Dakota lol I had to replace them all and it looks like it's time for you to as well of you havent already.. Also my power steering feels almost non existant with my steering wheel in the lowest position but when I tilt it all the way up it gets a lot better I'm thinking maybe my steering shaft has an issue.. Thought originally it may be the pump.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Yes, they do need replaced. Planning on doing that this spring before inspection. Thats interesting about the position of your steering wheel affecting the feel of turning.

[@monmixer]

TY Appalachian friend. I'm in southeastern Ohko

[@jake2772]

Did this fix the loose steering wheel? I’ve got an inch of play in it. Thanks in advance.

[@garrettduhon2584]

Can't get the top bolt in and it's perfectly lined up with the notch any suggestions

[@juryc9042]

Hey i have a popping when turning (06 dakota) but everything else looks good i.e rack n pinion etc. . Did you have a similair issue when turning ?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Hmmm i dont specifically remember a popping sound, but i wouldnt rule that out a a symptom.

[@joannedubois5154]

How to open the transfer case

[@seananderson2118]

What part did you replace it with? I have play in my steering and I think it’s in the joint between the shafts

[@appalachiandiy2415]

amzn.to/3gJXV8q try that

[@johnrokitko7001]

Would that fix soft or light steering ? ( Soft or light meaning Kinda like there's no weight on the front tires)

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Hmmm idk about that. When i tried to turn it would get hard spots and then right after be really light

[@Warlock73]

Could this same procedure work on a 02 Durango? It's got inches of play, and I can see the portion from the u joint on up rotating.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Yea it should be similar

[@Warlock73]

Awesome, thanks! Gonna look for the part. Is Rock Auto any good? Like parts quality...

[@scatpack68]

Did this in my 04 Dakota 4x4 today. The job went ok the way you showed, but once i was finished the steering wheel no longer locked with the key removed. It doesn't bother me but can't figure out why it lost the lock feature. Is this a safety issue?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

huh. that is odd. I dont know what would have caused that

[@SoreTv]

@@appalachiandiy2415 damaged clock spring? not a mechanic, just guessing. You ever find out scatpack98?

[@DontDodgeIt...RamIt...Dammit.]

Because I've been pulling a lot of 05 parts from a wrecking yard and they've been working on my 2000 4x4, I'm going to assume that the replacement procedure for that shaft on both of these trucks are going to be pretty similar?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

WOW, I'm surprised the 05 stuff fits a later gen dakota. If thats the case then you might get lucky with the same removal and install

[@DontDodgeIt...RamIt...Dammit.]

@@appalachiandiy2415 I sure hope so. It's only been things like the driveshaft, control arms, and other smaller chassis parts that have worked out. 2nd gen Dakotas have been hard to find parts for here in yards. But the 3rd gen and Durango's are a dime a dozen for some reason.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

@@DontDodgeIt...RamIt...Dammit. wow 2nd gen durango's are dime a dozen but 2nd gen dakotas are freakin unicorns where im at in the u-pull yards. have not even seen a 3rd gen dakota yet in a yard. count yourself lucky!

[@DontDodgeIt...RamIt...Dammit.]

@@appalachiandiy2415 Oh I do, lol. When I see the prices of the parts I can't get from stores elsewhere.

[@DontDodgeIt...RamIt...Dammit.]

I managed to do it without pulling off anything but it was nothing short of a pain. Had to line up the bolts to where I could break them without a u-joint adapter. But my shaft was already so worn that when I got the new one on...I'm at 12 and 6 o' clock before the truck drives semi straight. There's fight in the steering but, I can take it to a reputable shop and get a good alignment now. Small edit...took about an hour and 6 beers before I could get the old shaft out. 20 year old rusty truck from Tennessee tended to be a little siezed up on the under side.

[@80weir]

How did you take off the bottom bolt?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

You can turn your steering wheel to access it from the bottom under your frame with an extension.

[@vamvwj10]

think you should be replacing those brake lines more than worrying about some play in the steering wheel.. but jokes aside nice video.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Thanks

[@cpt_sweettooth]

Was this replacement job done because there is play in the steering wheel?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

No,When turning the steering wheel there were multiple points where the wheel would be hard to continue turning. Almost like it was hanging up on somthing. It only happened at a couple points but was very noticable

[@namrebo5199]

How about for a 94 Dakota?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

If not rock auto I got mine at Auto zone

[@namrebo5199]

Where can I find one for a 94 dakota

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Try rock auto

[@michaelmask7296]

Did you find one ? I'm looking for 1 for my 93 dakota

[@eneffgaming7429]

How did you go about diagnosing this?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Kinda hard to explain but ill try. when turning the steering wheel it would "hesitate" or freeze at certain spots and then release. reading up on forums and talking with a mechanic friend, they all pointed to changing the steering shaft

[@Ray00069]

Causing weird steering. Like he said it would be some spots where it feels smooth and than hard at times. I got mines feeling like that right now. It also throws your alignment off. I had mines realigned twice and later to find out the actual steering shaft is playing monkey see and monkey do games with the alignment.

[@appalachiandiy2415]

@@Ray00069 haha sounds about right

[@patrickscott1604]

@@Ray00069 did you replace the whole part or the just the lower knuckle i got my truck alignment twice and still the same thing play in the steering wheel and it will not get my wheel straight

[@Ray00069]

@@patrickscott1604 I went all new on it and it fixed the issue.

[@jasongibson4797]

When this goes bad will it sqeak and drive you nuts?

[@appalachiandiy2415]

mine didnt really squeak, but who knows yours might. i noticed it more in the steering.

[@michaelmask7296]

No squeak but a small thud sound when the loose u joint on steering shaft kinda binds when turning but real loose steering, scary loose.

[@david9783]

Man they gave me the wrong part so you could say I got the shaft. When I get the right one I'll be back!

[@appalachiandiy2415]

Lol good dad joke. Thats a bummer. Let me know how you make out when you get the right part

[@david9783]

@@appalachiandiy2415 Oh I will, believe me!

[@seananderson2118]

Bro where are your jack stands?!?!

[@appalachiandiy2415]

good catch, idk why I didnt use one. I usually do

[@chevytruckjerry]

Holy cow don't breathe too hard on those brake lines!! 😂

[@michaelmask7296]

Common problem with these dakotas

[@appalachiandiy2415]

What else do you think is a common problem to look for with these dakotas?

[@michaelmask7296]

@@appalachiandiy2415 name it lol but seriously alot of electrical issues, loosing wiring connections like ignition wiring where it connects at the bottom of ignition especially if you have tilt steering, the up and down of the steering over the years pulled a few wires out of my steering...... Fuel pump issues and 1 that most miss is the electrical connection at the fuel pump is loose , changed a couple fuel pumps before discovered the fuel pump pigtail kinda jiggling around in the aftermarket fuel pump prongs. Oh Overdrive switch on dash has a short and my Overdrive only works half the time. I have a 93 Dakota 3.9 by the way. Like I said electrical problems are MAIN issues and I own Ford and Chevy trucks, I've got 2 S-10's , also GMC Sierra K1500 with 5.7 350 also own Ford F150 with 302 and Expedition 5.4. My S -10's one of them has a 350 in it and I've got 1 with the 4.3 V6. All good automobile's and I tell you what I'll put that 3.9 Dakota up against that S-10 with 4.3 and that Chevy can't keep up. I'm love my Dakota so do get me wrong.