so i've read the thread on steering slop, but i think my issue might be more complex.

when driving straight down the road, if i let go of the wheel, it kinda "tick-tocks" left and right, about 1-2 inches each direction. Around turns, it's almost like the wheel is "clicking" back to center, with a good bit of play going into the turn.
i'm also getting a good bit of creaking from the drivers side.
AND i'm losing a bit of power steering fluid from the steering box.

if i pop the hood and grab the intermediate shaft, it has a litle up/down and sise/side play in it. not much, but def seems loose.

in all fairness, i'm at 150k and i've never replaced a single steering / suspension component.

any ideas where i should start? i haven't jacked up the car to really check the tightness of any bolts.

sorry, should have put this in "problem diagnosis...i know better :-)

Might be a good idea to check the following for looseness and/or play:
Both upper and both lower ball joints
Both inner and both outer tie rod ends
Center link
Idler arm
Pitman arm
Steering gear box
Intermediate steering shaft & rag joint
Both upper and both lower control arm bushings
Both front wheel bearing/hub assemblies
Both sway bar bushings
Both sway bar end links


Any looseness or play in any one of these items can cause handling and/or tire wear issues. After repairs are completed, have an alignment shop check, and adjust if necessary, the front chassis ride height and wheel alignment.

random update:

realized (while working on my sister's 97 sunfire) that my front drivers side tire had a bulge in the tread. the belt had separated. looking at the width of the tire, about a third was raised up a quarter inch above the rest, over about half of the tire. I guess i'm lucky it didn't blow out on me.

put my matching spare on, and all problems went away. nice smooth ride is back!