1998 Dodge Dakota steering wheel

Replace the steering intermediate shaft between the firewall and steering gear. The new one will have the same rotational play and knocking between the two parts until it is extended to the installed position.

you can very carefully lift the truck front tires off the ground and use preferably jack stands to let it rest on. if you have a helper each of you push the front tires toward the center of the truck then pull them out together as well. youll be the side of the tire closest to the front of the vehicle so its like each of you are trying to steer the wheels in two different directions at once. if theres play then you know you've got worn parts. usually idler arms and tie rod ends are the culprits.

Good answer, but in this case, the intermediate shaft was a real common problem. I was the suspension and alignment specialist at a very nice family-owned Chrysler dealership through all of the '90s, and I replaced a lot of them. There's a couple of different styles, and you have to get the right one for the year of the truck. Don't waste your time with a used one from a salvage yard because they will develop the same noise. The clue is you'll feel the knocking in the steering wheel, and unlike tie rod ends, which aren't common failure item in these trucks, you'll feel and hear the noise when driving slowly through a parking lot. The noise will stop whenever there's pressure on the steering system from turning. The additional clue is it will knock when you accelerate briefly, and again when you let off the gas pedal.

thanks caradiodoc. I knew chevys were bad about it but not dodge. now I know and knowledge is power.i was merely suggesting he check the front components because, well, why not?