Sloppy steering

[scotts96gt]

Recently my wifes 99 Century has developed what i call sloppy steering. There is no noise coming from the power steering pump although i do believe i have a leak there. It drives straight. Even in a turn/curve if you let go of the wheel it continues in that same path and does not straighten out. If you are in a gradual curve you can actually go through it without touching the wheel because it just stays there. It is not difficult to turn and like i said no noises. Living in michigan its like plowing through snow with the gas pedal to the floor with the wheel cranked to one side, it just does not self correct. It becomes most frightening when switching lanes on the expressway and you bounce between the lines a few times before the steering settles out. Hope someone kinda understands what im tryin to convey here and point me in some sort of direction as where to start.

P.S. The vats and passkey security systems are a joke. I have posted on here couple times about this issue and have met with similar results as others... You cut the wires from the ignition switch and the car starts every single time no problems. So just for reassurance i bypassed the switch with a resistor pack to match my key and have not had a problem since. I figure if it will start with the wires cut its not much of a security system but more of an inconvenience on mine and a possible thiefs part.

[olopezm]

Have you checked for any worn out suspension parts? These can cause wander and the steering not to return to the center.

Some time ago my TC had the same problem, the wheel wouldn't turn back to the center, and the problem was a broken seal at the steering pump, but being very different configurations I'm not pretty sure they can be related.

Best regards,

Oscar.

[Scrapper]

a power sterring could have went bad that would cause your problem. get the rack checked and if you want to try this take right front wheel on left front and vise versa left to right and see if it pulls the other way because it may quit pulling or it can pull the other way than it is now. also get front end checked after you try the wheel thing i said to try. my mom and dad drove p/a's and never had a problem in steering at all. only the stable lizer links and bushings and if there broke it will go all over the road like your saying.

good luck...

sxrapper.....

[scotts96gt]

The steering needs to be centered by the driver if you turn left or right. Last night i noticed a bit of creaking sound if i was at a complete stop and then began making a right or left turn. I am losing a bit of power steering fluid, filled the pump and still have the same problem. Would the rack possibly be leaking fluid seperate from the Steering pump or vise versa? I can do the stabalizer links quite easily so that might be the first thing to try. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[richtazz]

Do you have any unusual tire wear? It sounds like an alignment issue for sure, which could be caused by worn/bent suspension parts either due to mileage or a small impact such as a big pothole (I live in Flint, so I know there are plenty in your area...) or hitting a curb.

[scotts96gt]

Tire wear seems to be normal and even. accleration and stopping while not holding the steering wheel the car still goes straight. I have already replaced both lower control arms and outer tie rod ends and had an alignment done. I had a loud clunking in the front end and it would bounce terribly when going over bumps in the road along with the steering issue. So far what i have done has fixed everything except the the steering. Is there anyway i can test myself the power steering pump and the rack?

[richtazz]

The information added in your last post would indicate a bad strut/strut mount/bearing. The upper strut mount has a bearing plate that the spring pivots on, and when they go bad, they cause exactly what you're describing (clunking, no auto-return) as well as the creaking you described in post #4.

[scotts96gt]

When i go to Autozone what should i ask them for then? Would that mounting plate be all that i should need to replace? How difficult a job is it for a pretty experienced DIYer?