QuestionQUESTION: What are considered to be the internal components of a steering column for a dodge dakota?
ANSWER: Hi Daniel:
I'm not sure what it is you are asking me to tell you. Is something broken in your column? Was it damaged during an attempted theft? Is the dealer telling you you need an entire column to repair yours?
If you can tell me a little more about what you need to know, I may be able to help you (the more details about your problem, the better)
But most importantly, please reply with the year, make & model and if possible, include a picture of specifically what you are asking about.
Thanks
Doug
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QUESTION: I purchased one of those rip off repair warranties and had to have a u joint replaced.the claim was rejected because they said it was not a covered part,even tho the warranty states"steering gear,rack and pinion and all internal parts" so I am wondering what are the internal parts?
ANSWER: Hi Daniel:
You still don;t tell me the year of your vehicle or any particulars about the 'u-joint'. Was it a universal joint in the steering system, in the driveshaft. dies your vehicle have 4 wheel drive & if so, was it a universal joint in the front axle? all of these points are critical to whether it should be covered, but t answer your original question, knowing what I do now, there is no universal joint inside the steering column.
The only ujoint I am aware of in a steering system would be a 'flex joint' or 'rag joint' between the steering column and the steering gearbox on a much older vehicle (1960's through 1980's). I do not think the Dodge Dakota (any year) has such a component. It is a straight bolt on connection from the column to the rack & pinion and there is no u-joint in either component.
I hope this answers your question
Sorry about your warrant company, but that's pretty common with these 'insurance companies'. We see this all the time---"it's not covered".
Sorry
Doug
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QUESTION: This was for a 2000 Dodge Dakota. The part is listed on the repair bill as a Ujoint(steering shaft joint).The statement also lists an installation for a rr steering shaft and an installation of a left outer tie rod.
That is all the particulars that I have regarding the parts. I took the vehicle in to the repair shop, because it had a definite pull to the right,and I could feel a small clunk in the steering wheel,when turning.
Answer
2000 Dodge Durango / D
Daniel:
OK, now I understand what you had done. I am enclosing a picture that shows the connection from the steering column to the rack & pinion assembly. I have pointed to the "ujoint" I think you had replaced. It is actually called a coupler. As typical u-joints (as I said earlier, they are elsewhere in the vehicle) wear out and are frequently serviced, they may not be covered in an insurance policy, but this coupler should be. This is not part of the steering column, but part of the steering system. You may have to have the shop rewrite the invoice calling the part by the correct name in order for it to be covered. I think it should be covered under the warranty, in the steering section (not the steering column section).
For your reference, the items in the photo are:
1) coupler
2) lower shaft
3) toe plate (where it goes through the firewall)
4) bottom of the steering column
5) upper shaft
6) rack & pinion assembly
The other part you had replaced is a tie rod, which is on the end of the rack & pinion near the tires. They are subject to wear and may not be covered either.
You will need to read all the fine print and exclusions in your policy to see if these parts are itemized out.
I hope this gets you what you need
Doug
