I finally took my Firebird in to my mechanic and had the gear box replaced. (I don't work on steering / brake issues myself - or anything that could kill me if I mess it up ) Is the steering wheel supposed to go back, almost on its own, to the center "drive straight" position after making a turn? It's been a while since I've driven my car, but I seem to remember not having to turn my wheel manually back to center after making a turn. (I would ask my mechanic, but I'm going to find someone else. Nice guy, but he takes forever to complete a job.) My power steering seems to be working fine. If anything, my steering seems loose with a lot of play in it, but a LOT better since having the gear box replaced. Any pointers are appreciated.

 

well if your steering is loose I would get that fixed first. Now on your main question your steering behavior (like strait line stability) is dependent on you front end alignment. Your steerings current behavior may not be wrong I dont know how it was originally and it will vary from car to car depending on how its set up (and Oldsmobile will not be designed like a corvette) but you could take it in for an alignment if you concerned.

 

jack the front of the car up and with 2 hand's grab the sides of your tires and see if you have some free play side to side and up and down.. it could have been a center link or tie rods from the get go not the gear box