So since i got the car 2 years ago there's been a little issue with the steering, its supposedly a dealer installed power steering setup; 
the point is i dont know the origins of the setup for sure.
The issue that i'm having is when i'm driving on the freeway, The car wont stay straight. This isn't cause of alignment, its because the steering wheel itself doesn't want to stay int he middle, it either wants to be slightly to the left or slightly to the right. It is as if there are small grooves on either side that want it to stay there. Then when you need to go beyond the grooves you need to put a little bit of extra force and then it becomes smooth again.
It's somewhat difficult to explain.
Now here's the weird part. I started off with this problem when i first got the car and didn't think much of it. Then I had the springs, shocks, sway bars, and alignment done by a shop and it was fine. The steering was so smooth. But that was about 3-4 months ago... Now its happening again. Its kinda scary on the freeway when you feel like the steering wheel is locked, its like you want to turn it but it needs a little extra umph. And its pretty annoying to switch side to side.
Any ideas?
the point is i dont know the origins of the setup for sure.The issue that i'm having is when i'm driving on the freeway, The car wont stay straight. This isn't cause of alignment, its because the steering wheel itself doesn't want to stay int he middle, it either wants to be slightly to the left or slightly to the right. It is as if there are small grooves on either side that want it to stay there. Then when you need to go beyond the grooves you need to put a little bit of extra force and then it becomes smooth again.
It's somewhat difficult to explain.
Now here's the weird part. I started off with this problem when i first got the car and didn't think much of it. Then I had the springs, shocks, sway bars, and alignment done by a shop and it was fine. The steering was so smooth. But that was about 3-4 months ago... Now its happening again. Its kinda scary on the freeway when you feel like the steering wheel is locked, its like you want to turn it but it needs a little extra umph. And its pretty annoying to switch side to side.
Any ideas?
With no hydraulic pressure, there will be about 1" of play in the ball stud. All he'll learn is he now has about a half-turn of play in the steering.
So i was on my way home, and as i pulled into the driveway i hear the power steering pump become really loud even with the slightest of turns, i pull into my garage and look at the floor and i see a trail of red fluid behind the car. I jack it up and look underneath to find that one of the hoses is leaking, only drops though; It is the one that connects to the control valve in the front from what looks like the pump directly. I think hmm maybe the nut is a little loose and after 1/2 an hr of tinkering around , raising and lowering the car after each turn of the wrench to try and move the nut a little, i turn on the car really quick, and i see a steady flow of fluid coming down... I immediately turn off the car, check the power steering fluid level, and its bone dry. Now I guess I'm left without a choice, i've gotta rebuild it myself because i don't want to fry the power steering pump while trying to drive it to my mechanic. 
