Steering Rack issue? (1st Gen)

[Double E]

Just in the pat 2-3 days I've noticed that when turning left or right, there is a light "thump" coming through the driver's foot well. It seems to happen at even intervals though out the turning of the wheel to the limit. It got worse today.

It seems as if the steering "ram" that actuates the wheels has a kink in it or that there's something it's rubbing/knocking against the footwell as the wheel travels to the limit of turn.

I'll probably crawl under it tomorrow but I was wondering if this is an issue that others have had and if it turned out to be a DIY fix or shop repair.

I saw the prior thread about the power steering pump taking a dump on the freeway, so I'll look at that too.

(62K miles, garage kept, major maintenance by dealer, filters & oil by me.)

[maxnix]

Power steering pumps themselves almost never fail.

Check your tension rod bushings, then your steering rack bushings.