common 95 steering problem? help please

[dr.stinkypants]

howdy. got a 95 jetta 2 liter with 130,000 miles and its had a slight steering problem for a little while now. at first it only happened on long trips, when driving on the highway in a straight line it kind of sways as if it were super windy out and when you correct it continues pulling you in that direction slightly. the ball joint has been replaced and the tire rod ends have been looked at at least 4 times in the past 6 month and they appear ok. any thoughts?
id really appreciate it cuase its not safe to drive in the snow right now. thanks

[asskickingdominato]

Get a four wheel alignment and tell them to correct your problem while your at it. It could be some smashed rubber bushings, that is how swaying exaggerates.

[jbear]

Did a search and found this post.
I have the same steering issue w/ my 95 jetta: it is difficult to maintain a straight course, and when on the highway it is very succeptable to grooves in the road (sort of "jumps" into the adjacent lane when I change lanes @ 50mph or more).
I've been told that it was likely the ball joints, but it looks like the author of this post already tried replacing those and situation did not improve.
I've had my alignment done, and that did not help.
Any other suggestions?

[boschmann]

I had one with a steering rack that had a wear spot at the straight ahead position. It made it feel slightly tight when first moving the wheel then it would get past this point & feel like it let go & the car would swerve into the other lane.

[jbear]

Did you have to replace the steering rack?

[boschmann]

Yes, does this is similar to your symptoms?

[jbear]

That sounds very similar to my car's condition, although my steering doesn't feel very tight. In fact, it feels pretty loose. But it definitely has trouble tracking in a straight line, especially at higher speeds (I feel the need to be constantly intent on keeping the car from changing lanes on its own).
Did replacing the steering rack solve your problems?

[boschmann]

Tight might not be the best description. It was more like a catch in one spot, straight ahead. Once you turned hard enough to get past it you had oversteered and had to turn back the other way to corect.

[jbear]

Yeah that sounds more like my car; sort of squirrelly, if that makes any sense. I always feel like the car wants to oversteer and I just have to fight it.
Was everything cool once you replaced the steering rack? Did that cost a lot of cash and/or time?

[boschmann]

Yes the rack was bad & the new one fixed the problem. I can't remember the cost, but it was available in a reman from a local auto parts store.