LS: steering drift

dsmtg2

I recently bought a 2002 ls v-6. I've noticed that, at highway speeds, there is some difficulty keeping a straight line without constantly moving the steering wheel slightly back and forth. The car seem to drift from one side of the lane to the other. There is a sort of "dead zone" at top center and a few degrees in either direction in which you can turn the wheel without a response from the tires. I've looked a rack & pinion replacement, am I on the right track? Or is something else causing this problem?

akirby

Not 100% sure but check the ball joints.

wickedwick

It wouldn't hurt to check the ball joints, but try taking it in for an alignment.

baux

dsmtg2, did you figure out the problem? my car is doing the same danm thing

yatwa87

Mine is the same, already replaced the ball joints for fear of failure after reading up on some issues with them. Still does the same thing even with new ball joints, an alignment, and new tires. I'm thinking of trying to replace the sway bar bushing but hear it’s quite a job for the home mechanic. I don’t know what else to do. If you have any ideas please let me know. I don’t want to sell it but I’m considering it.