I had bought a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab from the dealership in 2007 and it only had 56,000 miles on it when I bought it. Now that it has 88,000 miles on it it looks like the Rack and Pinion might be going out on it it is leaking power steering fluid all over my garage and when I drive it, it is making some sort of grinding noise around that location like the pump is trying to get fluid through. I am a huge fan of Dodge pickup trucks but if this issue is keep happening to several other people than I might be looking elsewhere if this problem don't get fixed. I believe Dodge are losing valuable customers because of this issue.

My ex-wife traded in my old car for this truck while I was deployed. It's an '04 dodge ram 1500 quad cab with 2WD. My truck had about 135000 mi. It started when I got stuck in the snow. I found that wiggling the steering wheel very fast could sometimes break the tires free enough to rock the truck out. Now when the vehicle is in motion, I can't make a move on the wheel without the power steering low fluid whine, only the fluid level is good. Last month when I had it in the shop, they told me that I had a leaking gasket, but i haven't had a chance to get down and look at it yet. This combined with the low mileage, and a few other problems, are enough to make me never want another new dodge. The old ones however..... sigh They just don't make them like they used too

Update from Mar 28, 2011: So an update on the previous problem. I found a great website for parts, www.rockauto.com. Purchased a new rack and pinion unit. Replaced the rack and pinion unit yesterday, and it did not fix the problem. Next is the pump, and what a pain in the ass that's going to be. If this doesn't work, my next step is this one: www.junk-yard.org

2004 ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 40k miles. Steering Rack needs replacing! With gas costs on the high end the last few years, I rarely drive the truck. However, one fine afternoon I decided to take the truck down the road and when I started it, I heard a whining noise and thought to myself, that sounds like I’m low on power steering fluid. So, I checked and sure enough it was bone dry. So I pull the truck out to go down to the local auto parts store and notice all the fluid leaked out onto the driveway! Come on! The truck only has 40k miles on it. I’m steaming mad because it’s not covered under warranty any longer. To add insult to injury, the dealer wants $743.00 just for the part. After reading some of these posts about having the dealer replace the rack for about 1000.00 dollars a pop, there is no way I’m spending that kind of money for it to just go out every year. I’ll be replacing it myself as I have the tools and the garage to do it in. However, I feel for you guys that don’t have the tools, space, or technical know how to save yourself hundreds of dollars. Well, I’ll be getting a replacement part from one of the local auto parts stores as they are much cheaper than what the dealer will charge for the part. Also, just checking around, NAPA has the part for 200.00 dollars and has a lifetime warranty as long as it not damaged as a result of a wreck. Oh, and get this, (and a contributing factor as to why I’m so mad over this) at just over 36k miles my EGR valve went bad! The dealer said it wouldn’t be covered under my 3yr 36k warranty. So I call my local auto parts store(s), and none of them carry a replacement part. I called auto zone, napa, advanced auto, pep boys, all of the major auto parts stores in my town. They all don’t carry the part and they also can’t even order it! I could only get it from the dealer. Another 80 dollars down the drain. I replaced it myself. However, I’m sure it would have cost me 200 to 300 dollars if I had a shop replace it. I like my truck and have been a dodge guy my whole life. However, I can’t help but think when is the other shoe going to drop and I have another major repair on my hands?