Tramlining and sort of heavy steering issue?

[Q70sGuy]

Hey thanks for your input. Just a question how did you notice the steering rack was moving and the bushings were loose (bushes in the UK?). I have no play in my wheels but haven’t tried prying at the rack itself.

As for following the ruts in the road - I ended up changing to some Michelin all climate tires and putting 20s on (it was on aftermarket 18s with sporty Yokohama tires) and I have virtually no more tramlining. I did an alignment after that but my issue was already 95% solved.

FYI my tires were in excellent condition and like new, barely driven on. I think they were just too sporty and combined with a possible underlying issue it meant the car would follow the ruts.

The last issue is the heavy steering at a standstill. Do you have that problem?

[Q70sGuy]

Sorry for the double post but important enough update - fixed the heavy steering!
I called a rack and pinion specialist shop and they told me they commonly see the wire for the speed sensitive steering solenoid breaks under the tie-wrap installed at the factory.

Note that you cannot visually see the break - to determine if this is the problem by trying to activate the solenoid at the connector using a 12v battery - if no sound is heard then you can try cutting into the wire after the tie-wrap location and hooking to a 12v at that point - if the solenoid clicks you know your wire is broken.

To repair:
Look at the solenoid on your rack, youll notice a tiewrap is extremely tightly installed over the wire. you need to cut the wire at the location of the tiewrap and splice a new piece of wire. try to cut as little as possible on the solenoid side, else the wire will be short and youll have trouble working with it. You need to do this using a weather proof connection - i dont believe solder and heatshrink alone is good enough because rain will splash here directly.

Note that you can determine if this is the problem by trying to activate the solenoid at the connector using a 12v battery - if no sound is heard then you can try cutting into the wire after the tie-wrap