is the ps rack "boot" sealed still or maybe ps pump or hoses bad?

Thanks for the great ideas, got some more things to check out now.



Do you mean the joint between the steering column and the rack? I think it's a u-joint. I always thought that when u-joints failed, they got sloppy, not tight, but it's definitely in the right place.

Yeah, that's the one I mean. U-joints can fail in different ways, sometimes loose, sometimes tight.

Got under the car last night, was getting dark so didn't get much done other than some inspection of various easy to see parts.



The inner tie rod boots look and feel fine, my DS inner tie rod might have a little play though. PS pump sounds OK, all lines look OK (Looks like the previous owner might have changed the intake line), fluid level is good. So I hope no problems there.



That joint is a hoot to find...I think I have to access it from the top? I think I can see it, but there's no way I'm going to get in close. What would I want to try to lube and or clean it with? I've got WD40, PB Blaster, suspension grease, chain lube...

Still need to check those vac hoses on the firewall.

have somebody rock the wheel back and fourth. watch the joint for play. if there is no play then lube it with grease if there is a grease fitting.
--from what you listed, if theres no grease fitting id squirt some chain lube on it. wd40 isnt really a lube, itll clean then dry out, usually a good start to rust. chain lube would probably only be temporary aswell but would last alot longer than wd.

Interesting article(?) on steering joint binding - describes almost exactly the symptoms I get, doesn't mention lack of center return, but I think my wheel is getting stuck at 90 deg on the return...

http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=85

Not sure how spraying water on it would help the angles, but sounding more and more like the u-joint is the culprit.