Steering Column Repair: Click in my steering... bent??, power steering pump, drive shaft

Question
Hi i have a 2001 pontiac bonneville ... it just returned from 8mo. of a really rough driver...:) now i have a steering problem...im smart about cars just need some more advice .. ok the car makes a clicking noise when turned from side to side... either direction.. now the car will veer off to the right when driving strait..at a small angle... when the car is turned off.. with no powersteering pump you can turn the wheel with small force back and forth and it clicks either way you turn it... i want to buy a part to fix it but i need help..i also know where the problem is... i followed the drive shaft down to the steering rack..it is in between the two parts... ok you have the shaft comming down out of the interior of the car... and as soon as the shaft links to the next part of the car thats where it is bent or has linkage slack in it... but what part do i replace... the part with the problem is covered with a rubber accordian boot/sleeve.. that just holds a bunch of links in it that go into a metal case...(not power steering pump) thanks for any advice you can give me..:)
will smith

Answer
Hello Will,
I believe there is a bolt on each side of the coupling (or it may have one on one side). At any rate, it may be the coupling bolt has loosened. Pull the boot away as far as you can and use a mirror and light to inspect it again.

It could also be the upper bearing in the steering rack. If you've been driving over rough roads I would inspect the rack for leaks and or loosness.

I hope that helps.
Have a great day!
-Jay