so i just finished changing control arms, bj, and outer tie rod ends. took the car for drive last night and the steering was acting very strange. it seems very loose and jerks when i hit a bump (much like a rack on its way out would). the parts swap went well except for my drivers side tie rod end - once i loosened the tie rod end its inner nut would not budge heat, pb blaster, nothing worked. I removed and reset the outer tie rod ends but to no avail so . . .
in my attempt to loosen the nut is it likely I damaged the rack (it might have been on its way out already), or should I take everything off and try again?

 

Sounds like when i had problems with my control arms.Make sure your bushings are there and theres nothing loose.

 

Go get a front end alignment....

 

i did a DIY alignment via an old post (think by wiking) and had planned on bringing it in anyway, but the steering is not right; it feels way too lose and just plain unsafe. I'll put her up again and go over everything one more time with the impact - but barring a loose bolt all signs point to the rack.

 

itmay just be the rack bushings that are trashed