my car has decided it doesn't like to turn anymore. i can turn the wheel a little bit left and right, but after just a little rotation, things start happening. the steering gets really hard, and it feels like the car wants to steer itself, either back to straight, or all the way left or right. if i force it, something moves, and makes a loud snapping sound. its pretty bad, car is basically undriveable. i had my friend watch while i drove, he said the wheels would move pretty violently.

i took out my steering rack, and things don't look bad, the rack teeth look ok.. althought i can't seem to pull out the pinion assembly.. its supposed to pull right out? i took out the snap ring and dust seal, but it seems like the bearing is stuck in place... is it pretty obvious when a steering rack/pinion has gone bad?? when i lifted up the car, the steering felt totally fine... maybe just a slight noise from the rack, but thats it. could it be bad axles? how can i check that? thanks in advance everyone.

oh yeah, and if i do have to replace my rack, i heard that the HF one is faster than the si. but i have a std. any differences there? and, when does that FASTBRAKES quaife kit come out????