A few days ago I was driving and all of a sudden turning was very inconsistent. When i turned it would be super hard to turn but when i kept turning it would be easier. The best way I can describe it is sticky spots. Well later that day I turned right sharp and I hear "click click click" and my wheel is now sideways but im still driving straight. I thought it was my hub skipping teeth but if I turn sharp and make it skip, the nut and bolt in the center of the steering wheel also turns which means my hub is not the problem. What could it be? Steering Rack, Somewhere in the column. This only happens when turning right.

 

Oh yea, and its a looped power steering rack

 

its hard to imagine the gears stripping. but if i had to imagine, it would be the pinion.

it could also be other things in the steering system like a U joint that is seized or locking up on something. or it could be something in the old pneumatics since it used to be a power steering rack.

theres honestly not a lot of parts to start looking at. start at the steering column since its the easiest. disconnect the lowest u joint and make sure the wheel is free to turn. then you know its the steering rack, since theres nothing after that.

so just replace it.

 

So how would I go about disconnecting the lower u joint?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeJE-_RHOSc

 

is that pinch bolt tight???