Message: Use a floor jack to lift each side by the control arms to release the pressure on the BJ's. Do one side at a time. Once in the air grab the tire and see if you can move it side to side on the sides and the top of the tire. If there is play and the tire moves that side has a bad BJ. You should be able to look at each BJ and see which one has the play in it. Or you may be able to look at them and see that they are bad. If the boots are cracked good chance they are gone.
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!
Message: Well that doesnt seem to be the problem. I jacked each side up and nothing..... But I can see that my rack and pinion is leaking power steering fluid. Do you think that it could be something in there??
Message: Stumper - BANG ON! Dealership JUST replaced my entire rack and pinion under warranty(thank goodness!) Popping/grinding noises when turning sharp, especially over a bump/driveway lip etc.
My boots leaked fluid and that is how I first noticed I had an issue with them. My fluid level was low also - gee I wonder why?? I had the dealer check them as well as the ball joints - hell I had them check over the entire truck and lube anything and everything!
I hope this rack & pinion lasts longer than 31K miles like the first one did!
Message: Large tires 33's and bigger eat up the rack and pinion steering. As well as the Ball joints. These trucks just cant hang with the 33's and up and the wide 12.5's. But we insist on using them.
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!
Message: I wonder if I could be a similar problem to Julian's. I have an 02 2wd drive dakota and when I turn sharp while braking I hear a sorta of crunching grinding sound. I can recreate it when I am parking into a spot or even sitting still in the spot with my foot on the brake and turning the wheel hard left or hard right. Of course its been into the dealer several times and they cannot recreate it. I think I am going to raise hell until they check everything next time. Do you think this could be the rack and pinion, sway bars, ball joints, etc on the front end?
Subject: how to tell if ball joints bad??
RE: how to tell if ball joints bad??