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Walmart Auto messed up my steering column...?

Jun 25, 2009 by Joe | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs

I took my 2002 Dodge Dakota v8 4.7l Quad-Cab into WalMart's Automotive branch to have them replace a tire, and balance my tires. Now I have about 1/4 of a full revolution of the wheel worth of slack! I've google'd it and it seems like there's some sort of adjustment on the steering column (Locking nut and inner adjustment screw)... So I guess my question is what should I do? Fix it myself or take it back to WalMart? Has anyone adjusted this? How hard is it? Specifically, what needs to be done? This seems to dangerous to leave be! What if I need to swerve to avoid a wreck?

It really as simple as backing the nut off and slowly tightening down the screw while bumping the steering play back and forth till the play gets smaller and smaller ......when adjusting that steering screw.

being a 2002 it probably wont completely get rid of all the slack ........but you should definitely not have a 1/4 turn of empty steering .

But.... there is too many other points to consider that may be collectively causing the play......wheel bearings....tie rod ends...ball joints

I say take it back immediately to Wal-Mart

Was my stepfather right about my car?

Mar 06, 2009 by drkphoenix846 | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs

I drive a 93 Lexus. I pull into subway to get some food today, and I go to open my door and the alarm goes off.I stick my key in the ignition to disable the alarm and notice its because my doors are locked and the stupid lock button isnt working. So I manually unlock my door.

So I go to start my car, havnt got out yet but I figured maybe I locked the steering wheel, and when the car doesnt even choke I know thats the case.

Well I'm 19, just been driving less than a year. And it had been awhile since the steering wheel had locked. So I go to to trying to fix it, and I hadnt started the car (I know i'm suppose to start it before hand, but well, I didn't think about it.) And I wind up really locking it up.

Fustrated. I walk on down to walmart, hoping to see someone I know who can help me out. I see a older relative of mine, explain, and he comes out to help me.
He manages to unlock it. But it steal wont start, not even choke. I take it out of park, put it back in, and try again. nothing.
Finally he gets under the hood, and I suppose turns the fuses off an back on. nothing steal. We try that a few more times and even he gives up. I decline a ride home with him (his wife left him and he was upset, and I didnt really feel like dying today)
so Then finally I try my car a few more times, no luck.
I go borrow a cell phone and tell my mom my car isnt starting and to pick me up.
I wait around 15 minutes, and they were taking too long so I head back to my car, sit down, turn the key again, and it starts.

I go back to callem and tell em not to come, but my mom had left her cell at home and I never could remember my stepdads number. so they finally get there, I explain, and my stepdad said all I ever had to do was take it out of park and put it back. he gets pissed, and drives off like a maniac.
Thing is, I had done that. I had already done that several times. Along with turning the fuses off and back on, and everything else.

I've had the steering wheel lock up before and it was never any trouble. I suppose now that I think about it, I have had it lock up to the point of not being able to turn at all before. and simple unlocked it. but It kinda skipped my mind what with the cops arresting some folks at walmart and all. So had I been thinking clearly I woulda got it unlocked myself. but the thing is, that isnt why my car wouldnt start. it shoulda started when I got it unlocked.
Is my stepdad right that its just where the steering wheel had locked up, or am i right that it was something else (seeing as how even when I unlocked it, it steal wouldnt go)?

sounds like the security system is malfunctioning. Your stepdad is wrong. That is hard for me to say because us guys are suposed to stick together not matter what. But I have to call it like I see it. I would suggest taking it to a mechanic and have it looked at. I hope this helps, and good luck to you

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