car is a 97 cavalier z24

ok so ive got a small problem. a little history on this.

last year i thought my control arm bushings had worn out on the driver side so this year i finally changed them when doing my tranny. i noticed that the nut that holds the front of the control arm in place, the horizontal one, had broken free of its spots welds. well i assumed that tightening it down would solve the issue. it felt like it worked for about half a km and then it came back. so i jump under the car again and though an inner tie rod had started to wear out but i noticed it was the control arm again. so again i tighten it down and again it comes loose.

now i finally went ahead and use some re lock tight on it, put a locking nut onto the end and then used another nut to jamb it into place. thought it was all fine till i got on the hiway and again started to feel a bit of play in the wheel.

heres what im getting, when i press the brakes or accelerate the steering wheel turns a little to the side, under acceleration its perfectly straight but if i brake or let off the gas it turns counter clockwise.

so today i lift the car once again and the control arm is still tight, hasnt budged at all. so i put the wheel back on and give her a shack and notice that theres a mild amount of play in the wheel, but both wheels are moving a little bit when i move either side to side. so what could this play be? im thinking either the universal join in the steering shaft has gone for a poop or the rack has an issue.

a couple years ago i had the steering gear recall, i think thats the one they had for the gear, done over at gm and the steering has felt a little different ever since but not like this. im gonna visit a mechanic buddy of mine for this but before i do, anyone have any idea what this could be?




parting out my built and boosted 97 z24 so4x4.com/cavy.html for pics and a parts list