# Sloppy steering

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/sloppy-steering/58644>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** dakota, dodge\
**Created:** [December 13, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sloppy-steering/58644 "2010-12-13T15:56:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kram911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@kram911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kram911)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sloppy-steering/58644/1 "2010-12-13T15:56:44Z")

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My 98 dodge dakota has alot of play in the wheel most noticeable at highway speeds and is getting worse. The truck does not pull left or right at all. The tie rods are tight and there is no unusual tire wear. This feels like the old ford pickups when the front end parts would start to wear out. Steering rack???

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sloppy-steering/58644/2 "2010-12-13T18:15:18Z")

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I believe Dakota no longer had grease fittings on the front suspension starting in 97 or 98. This led to premature ball joint wear. Have the ball joints been checked.

For all things Dakota, this is a good web site.

[http://www.dakota-truck.net/](http://www.dakota-truck.net/)

Ed B.

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**Author:** ![kram911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@kram911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kram911)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sloppy-steering/58644/3 "2010-12-13T18:27:30Z")

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Thanks Ed, the ball joints are new.