86 'Lude Speedometer/Steering Troubles

I have an 86 'Lude SI 5 Speed. Recently I've noticed that my steering goes loose. When this happens, my speedometer, odometer, and trip odometer stop working (the odometers work at a reduced rate, I drove about 25 miles today and my trip says I've gone 1). Occasionally, my speedometer will start working again and my steering will tighten up, but after a short while (used to be consistently at 50-55 MPH, but now randomly) the speedometer will die and my steering will loosen. Any idea what the problem might be?

Nobody has ANY ideas?