2001 Dodge Dakota loose steering

where to start? any steering fluid? steering belt ok? steering wheel tight? steering pump ok? front end pitman and idler arm(s) ok? front end bushings or rod ends ok? steering box gears steipped? steering rack could be stripped. check all these first then get back to me.

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Front steering / suspension is only as good as its weakest link. There are many components working together that can be problematic here is a list of liikely culprits & things to check, tried to put easy stuff first:

• tire pressures
• steering fluid
• worn/loose steering rack
• tie rod ends
• column u-joints
• suspension - struts, joints, bushes components & integrity

Sounds like a wheel bearing assembly failing.

Give some more details of the problem.

Sounds like a serious front end problem, probably one or more of the components are shot, or if equipped, the rack and pinion steering. Better have it checked before something breaks and you loose the steering altogether.

Unsure as to what you are calling the King nut but here are the torque specs for your front end.

Steering Gear-To-Cradle Bolt...........135 ft pnds
Steering Gear-To-Crossmember Bolt (Dakota 2 WD)..........190 ft pnds
Suspension Cradle Plate To-Cradle Attaching Bolt..............123 ft pnds
Tie Rod End-To-Steering Knuckle Nut Dakota (2WD) .............65 ft pnds
Tie Rod Lock Nut.....................55 ft pnds

you have something loose in either the steering or suspension. sounds like ball joints or tie rod ends

Everyone always gravitates to the suspension but folks, it's 99% sure that it is the EVO. The EVO is the sensor built into the steering column that senses movement of the steering wheel then controls the power steering pump accordingly. When it goes out (which is all too frequently) you get sloppy and loose steering at lower speeds and it does tighten up a bit on the highway at higher speeds. This is the way it is supposed to work but when it fails it's downright scary trying to keep the truck straight on a narrow two lane road!

this is at least one bad wheel bearing, the bearing that is bad will be on the side of the direction you steer that lessens the noise.

I'm thinking the airbag clock spring is guilty. Right behind the steering wheel.