95 Legacy handling woes - Road wandering

R

rootcon

I got a '95 Legacy L AWD with 177K and it doesn't handle so great. I
had a '95 Legacy L auto when it had only 30k and the car went exactly
where you pointed it.

This car does not do that. I drive a newly paved interstate each day,
and if you point the car straight, it will drive straight... for a
moment. Then, keeping the wheel still straight, it veers to the left.
Or it'll veer to the right. Within less than one second i'd be off the
shoulder if i don't correct.

I also get massive understeer/oversteer problems in corners.

Now, for what I've checked.
- Front shocks have zero bounce.
- Right rear has slight bouce, left has none.
- Tire pressure 32 front / 30 rear (Bridgestone potenza 1 yr old, no
wear).
- Ball joints have no movement when tires are shook, or when pried
w/prybar
- No slop felt from tie rod end at steering knuckle.
- * Some kind of slop or knock felt inside the bellows/boots
- * Knocking sound from unknown source when steering wheel is move back
and forth.

Seems like the rack, doesn't it?
My questions to all you experts...
-What is between the tie rod end and the geared rack cylinder, that
resides inside the bellows? The problem is either there, or the rack
gears / pinion gears are worn down.

-Are all racks the same from 90-99?

-I bet remanufact. racks are worn just like mine (they prolly replace
just seals).
Where can i get new racks cheap? Or low,low,low mileage used racks..?

-Everything is rusty under the hood, especially the hydraulic lines
going into the rack. Am I doomed?
 
Check the rack's mounting bolts for tightness and the bushings for slop.
I'm betting the problem is the rack moving.
 

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