Ok so here's the problem. I drive my car ('89 Civic hatchback) and when I leave my house, if the top of the steering wheel is pointing to 12 o'clock (like it's supposed to), I can drive it around, and it will eventually point elsewhere when driving straight (right now, it's pointing at 3 o'clock). I also hear some pretty awful noises from around where the driver feet sit at the firewall.

I'm trying to narrow it down, would this be a steering column issue, or the rack?

For reference, I have replaced all of the following (because it all needed to be replaced):
Lower ball joints, upper control arms/ball joints, wheel bearings, inner and outer tie rods.

I figure it's probably the rack, but is it possible to be the steering column?

Thanks,
- Steven

 

**** ur problee right im guessin its the rack

 

adjust the pinion gearbox and check if the rack end bushing needs to be replaced on the passenger side.

search 'rack end bushing' in the FAQ for answers.

also take the cover off the steering column and make sure the pinch bolt to the U joint at the base of the column is tight.

 

^^thank you so much for the tips. It very well may be the pinch bolt at the u-joint, I hear a sort of spring sound coming from that area when I turn the wheel so maybe that's it. I'll check soon (we're supposedly getting a big snow storm today, so probably not today), and post with results. Thanks again!