New PS pump needed?

Do you have underdrive pulleys? that would be one reason why it takes more effort at low speeds. With underdrives, the PS pump won't be spinning as fast & have less output.

C/C plates with increased caster will fix the road wander problems if the tie rod ends are not worn. Worn tie rod ends will cause road wander, usually it is the inner rod ends that go bad.

sounds to me like your rack is going out, you might want to try and "bleed" the p.s. system, also, spray the u-joints on the steering shaft with some white lithium or equivalent spray. Good luck

Nick

ill toss one out from left field. it seems that many pumps, even new, are barely adequate to smoothly turn the wheels at idle, while stopped (i know one should not, but it happens, and most cars can handle it).

have you pulled the serp belt off and checked the pulley? if it is binding (bearings or whatever else) intermittantly, the belt could be sliding over the pulley at times, rather than turning it. in my experience, this results in an effect where it turns smooth for a sec, then binds (manual steering), then goes power, then manual. i know that did not make sense. does not sound like that is your issue anyhow. ok, ill stop rambling.

except for, doing a flush might help. i prefer syn fluid.

BTW, the car should self bleed in daily driving, if you turn the wheel much.

ok, ill really stop rambling.

change the fluid, it cheap and easy, it's worth a try.