I have always had a dead spot in my steering wheel of about 2 inches, I think that is just the ragjoint, and have ordered the eliminator kit.

But lately a different problem has come up and it freaks me out.

I will be driving down the road, and the wheels will just star tto follow ruts in the road with the steering wheel staying in place, it is a constant battle to keep the car going to a straight line going down the road.

What should I check for...or could this be the ragjoint as well?

 

Yeah they're new. But this doesn't feel like a tire issues, it feels like the front wheels are actually movign around with out the steering wheel.

 

I had play in my steering wheel (146K miles on the car). Turned out that the pinion gear on the rack and pinion was moving ina dnout of the rack. Replaced the rack; problem solved.

 

where is that located? and how do I test it to see if it's at fault?

 

Jack the car up, place it on jack stands and have a buddy turn the steering wheel back and forth while the engine is running. Look over the whole steering system (rag joint, pinion gear, tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints). The pinion gear comes out of the rack on the driver's side and connects to the steering linkage.

 

Sounds like you have play in the rack, bad ball joints (if enough play the camber will change as the joints move) or bad tie rod ends (toe would adjust while driving) Inspect the whole front end and if it all checks out get your alignment checked, it doesn't sound like dog tracking but you never know.

 

have recently changed tie rond ends, and had an alignment. I will check the rest.

Thanks guys.

 

I installed the ragjoint eliminator kit the other day, huge difference. It fixed about 65-70% of the problem. The steering is still somewhat lose, but I guess to fix that I will need to change out the rack and pinion.

Why did GM use a ragjoint, what negative effects does the eliminator have that made GM not go that route?