I'm having an odd problem with my steering (or maybe not so odd). The power steering rack on my car is being used as a manual rack. All the hoses and the pump have been removed and the rack is still in place. The problem is while I drive and turn the wheel the steering responds immediately but occasionally I will have to correct the steering because it abruptly change directions, only slightly but enough to be scary, especially if there is a car next to me. So the question is how do I check the steering components, like the rack, tie rod ends or steering shaft, for play or wear? Also, what would more likely cause such a problem? I've heard some horror stories lately about things like steering shaft nucles breaking and I say a Tuarus on the road when the steering went and the front tire just pointed opposite directions. I don't want to be the next person something like this happens to.

 

jack your front end up, and you can turn the tire by hand back and forth slightly to check if there is alot of play in you tie rods and check your wheel bearings/ball joints by gripping it top and bottom . there should be no noticable move ment , look at your rack bushings control arm busshing , something seems to be shifting back and forth , and i dont know about that ps rack its ratioed diff than tthe manuals , must be real hard to turn ? good luck

 

It's not the easiest thing to turn but it works. I didn't think about the bushing I'll check that too. I plan on replacing the rack, but for now I want to be able to stay between the lines.