Alright. I just finished my front struts and it still steers like a go kart. The front end sits higher. Could it be my Rack and Pinion? How can I test or check it? Whats it do if it stops working or begins to fail? Please help if you can.
Look. I'll try to explain it again. While you are driving around a turn and the road starts to straighten back out, when you release the steering wheel the wheels move back in the forward position. Do you understand? I have a hard time trying to explain things. It's like I have no steering but it's not hard to turn.
Who's a kid? Unless you're an AARP member, tread lightly.
You're right you do have a hard time explaining things. I reread the post a dozen times and it didn't appear to me that the wheels were NOT centering themselves.
If I remember right, you've replaced tires, and struts, and were advised to get a front end alignment. Did you ever get the alignment?
The next places I'd look would be ball joints, tie rod ends and the rack. The rack being last. If you start replacing this stuff, you'll end up on the alignment rack again. Life's tough sometimes.
As I said before, this sounds like the caster is off. If caster is off enough, the wheels WILL NOT want to return to center after a turn.
You cannot correct this without aligning the front end properly.
If the rack or PS pump were pooped, it would be difficult to turn the wheels, like manual steering. But you say that turning the wheels is not hard to do, correct?
I can understand where you may be apprehensive about spending the money on the front end alignment, but ultimately, I truely believe that is the problem. Maybe you could call around to a local place to see if they will give the front end components a look over and provide a free estimate if you are still unsure. A lot of places are bending over backwards to work with the customer with the way the economy is right now.
As for the front end siting higher, how much? If your old struts were very worn, the new ones could be putting the car back to it's original ride height. You did get the recommended factory replacements correct?
NavySVO is giving you very good advise. Any good alignment shop will check the front end and tell you what is wrong before doing the alignment. Also, most (if not all) alignments have a warranty period of at least 6 months, some longer. Ask before getting the work done. If they do the alignment and you have to then replace some parts, you can have the alignment done again "under warranty". If you do decide to replace the "rack" , I would recommend that you use one from a 5.0 Mustang. It is a direct bolt on fit and I have never seen one fail from a 5.0. I have installed several from salvage yards on 2.3 cars and none of them have failed after many years of use. Let us know what the alignment shop says.
Thank all of you for your advice. I will go to the alignment shops and ask these questions. You guys were very helpful and my bad if I sound like a d**k.
A lot of places are bending over backwards to work with the customer with the way the economy is right now.
He's absolutely right. I had the manager of a local tire store chase me down in the parking lot after I walked out (amicably) after not being able to get what I wanted. He was desperate to get me back in the store and my truck on the lift. I told him it was no fault of his or his employee, they just didn't have the equipment to perform the job I was asking. I shook his hand and told him I'd give him a call or stop by the next time I needed something he had. I've never had that happen before.
Still steers like a go kart 
