I've got an 88TII and hereis the issue I have.... when I turn the steering wheel (like backing out of driveway, parking, etc) I hear these crackling sounds. not sure what word can describe it. Just that it makes a repititious sound when turning the wheel like the steering column is hitting something at each rotation, but it isn't really hitting anything, just trying to describe the sound.

And another thing that might be related is that most of the time the steering is fairly stiff. Its like there isn't any power steering. Then sometimes all of a sudden the steering gets soft again like power steering monentarily kicks back in, and then it goes out again and becomes stiff.

What could the issue be? Steering rack going bad? P/S pump going bad? Etc?

 

have you checked your ps fluid?
you may have a leak

 

There is no leak in the PS fluid at all. Fluid is full everytime I check it, no leaks of anything actually.

What are the signs of PS failure? and what are the signs of steering rack failure? Or anything else that might be related to this issue?

 

Try looking at section 10b in the Factory Service Manual. My guess from a quick glance is you have air in the system.
You have eye-balled all the universal joints both under the dash and under the rubber cover ( under the hood)? Any rusting, binding, scratching of stuff stuck under there could cause your symptoms.
Dave

 

Ok I'll try bleeding the system and also inspect the joints... also I figured out a better description for that sound that I hear when I turn the wheel.... it sounds like its gears... like the clicking of bicycle gears or the clicking when you goto an amusement park and you walk through that 3 pronged thing that you have to push to rotate to get in the line after you get your tickets.