I have a 98 STS that I have started to notice teh steering, for lack of a better word, pulsing when turning the wheel... Almost like its grabbing on something. I have a rack go bad before and while it does not seem like the same thing, just wondering if anyone had any thoughts...

Also, I have begun to notice some noise coming from the wheels, thinking in may need bearings, could that be causing the sterring issue?

Thanks...

 

Checking main belt / pulleys is where to start looking, if belt can slip; It will make P/S feel like it coming and going.

 

The intermediate steering shaft is a common source of this type of trouble. If you feel/hear a slight "pop" during hard cornering at low speed it's likely the shaft. It connects the steering column to the steering pinion and is designed to change length slightly as the alignment between these parts is not fixed. A design flaw in the original shaft allowed it to "stick", resulting in the "pulsing" and "popping". Supposedly lots of steering racks were needlessly replaced when the true problem is the intermediate shaft. A lubrication procedure for the shaft [might] help, but from what I've read such a short lived. New intermediate shafts are of an improved design. The part is not particularly expensive or difficult to replace. Fortunately, the problem is essentially aesthetic and [shouldn't]lead toother problems if you don't replace the shaft.