'06 Ongoing Steering/Handling Issue Summary

[northguest47]

Edit: Now moved to correct forum

So those who've been following my few posts would know that I've had an ongoing issue with what feels like loose/uneven steering, especially noticeable at highway speeds. The car seems to 'wander a bit' and there is some play in the steering wheel. When I brake the car pulls just a bit to the right, when I accelerate the car pulls an even tinier bit to the left it seems.

Now, before this issue the steering and handling were precise. So I have a baseline of which to compare.

Thought maybe it was the power steering rack- when we first lowered the car it was too low and the steering would hit the 'bump stops' or something before full lock. This was new to me, being new to lowering cars, but it occurred to me probably lots of lowered cars have this issue.. but in any case I just decided to never do full lock turns, or hit that 'spot of resistance'.

However, I did in several instances thinking it was just the tires hitting the cold air intake or the wheel well, and I think that by pushing the power steering too far on occasions, like parking and 3 point turns, perhaps progressively damaged the rack. (Edit: rack not causing the handling issue, its just a co-incidence repair as it failed days before the shop booking)

And thats where I'm at today, folks - little Sparky is getting her rack replaced.