99 Grand AM steering problem

[600cuin]

My daughter has a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The problem she is experiencing is: She will turn a sharp left, straightens out the wheel and lets go of the wheel, it very quickly veers directly sharp left, straighten wheel again, it veers directly sharp left. Then if she turns to the right, everything is fine until she turns sharp left again..

I noticed that her rotors and front brakes were bad, so I have changed the front rotors and brakes. I also had to change the left caliper as it was leaking. Problem was still present.

I figure it is a steering rack, but she had an alignment done today and told them that if the steering rack was bad, to not do the alignment and she would get the steering rack replaced and then do the alignment. The garage did the alignment, charging her extra because it took an extra hour to get some bolts or something off...

Now with the alignment done today, the car is still handling the same way. Another symptom, when she also backs up in the driveway, the steering seems to always clunk as she backs out towards her right.

Is there anything other then the steering rack that this could be before I replace the steering rack?

[Jason/RKBA]

I don't really have any good ideas but we used to have a 2000 Grand Am and it was the worst car we ever owned in the shop constantly. My advise would be if it is going to cost a lot of money get rid of it. Speaking only from my own personal experience.

[600cuin]

I hear you for sure... But there isn't any money owed on the care, and all we have done is general routine maintenance, rotors, brakes, and caliper are routine after a few years time and wear... If there is only a cost of a steering column and I put it in for her... it's cheaper then a car payment. But I hear you about Grand AMs, I would never buy another. Thanks...

Originally Posted by Jason/RKBA

I don't really have any good ideas but we used to have a 2000 Grand Am and it was the worst car we ever owned in the shop constantly. My advise would be if it is going to cost a lot of money get rid of it. Speaking only from my own personal experience.