Rick, one of the big culprits is the universal joint at the power
steering rack.  If you can rock your steering wheel back and forth a
little without it causing the wheels to turn immediately then this
u-joint is going bad and much be replaced.  It seems to happen more to
vans that sit a lot as the joints get more rusty and then start to wear
out really fast.  I can get you a new one if you find you need it.  They
are $325 so you want to be sure.  I normally get under the van and look
at it with a flashlight, then have a helper pretend they are driving "I
Love Lucy" style by shaking the wheel back and forth.  You should see
the play in the joint from underneath and know that it is toast.  This
is a safety item and should be repaired right away.  They joints can
bind up and cause the steering not to return to center (BTDT) without
effort from the driver.

Let me know if I can help you further.
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 11/9/2012 11:14 AM, Richard Koller wrote:
> Hi all,
>
>                  I have a '91 tin top syncro that I don't drive very much,
> maybe once a week for short distances. As a consequence of this " neglect "
> , I have ignored a mushy/inconsistent steering feeling for a while. It seems
> sort of too wobbly going over small bumps and not really " tight " at
> highway speeds, sort of a wallowing feel,  not a great feeling. Now I want
> to try and diagnose it. The upper ball joints have both been replaced this
> year and seem not to affect this mushy feeling and I switched tires from one
> van to other with no change. Front outer cv boots replaced and greased
> joints. No leaks in steering rack, fluid flushed a couple years ago with
> Mobil One ATF.  I'm thinking possibly shocks. Have not tested lower front
> ball joints Van has about 110,000 miles ( odometer not working ). I've put
> maybe 2000 miles on it in 5 years. Other than shocks am I missing something
> to check?
>
> Thanks
>
> Rick
>
>
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