So...long time lurker here, since I've always found great solutions posted in the past.

Well...this weekend I was swapping out the bushings on my original steering rack with a replacement set. I tried to do the replacement without lifting the truck at first, but found the rack won't move until the weight comes off the wheels. Since my stands were already supporting another project, I had to wait until I got to HF to grab another set. By this point I'd already unfastened the 4 bolts / nuts securing the steering rack. Once I grabbed the stands, I asked a buddy for a bit of help to get the job done since this is my DD. While I ran to my car to grab the bushing kit, he started to put the truck on stands, unfortunately he didn't realize the rack was loose and jacked up the passenger side of the truck, and just as I'd gotten back to the garage, I heard a loud popping twang - not good, and the front wheels were pointing a bit right (I think they may have turned a bit after the sound). I looked to see if anything was broken, but tie-rods, ball joints, etc. all looked OK - no obvious sign of where the noise came form. Figuring I had nothing to loose, I finished the bushing replacement, which was pretty easy, and test drove it.

Truck is now pulling a bit to the right (I'm not fighting it or anything, it just tracks right if I let the wheel go), and, the steering wheel, instead of being dead center, is cocked to the left maybe 10 to 20 degrees. So...I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what caused the popping sound, and what happened to cause the tracking / steering wheel alignment issues. Worth noting...I'm planning to replace the coupling that joins the steering rack to the shaft - its REALLY corroded. I'm wondering if I just need an alignment though I'm thinking that might not be the solution since the car drives pretty well, just with the wheel a bit crooked. Was also thinking that the splines on the steering shaft might have jumped in the just coupling mentioned above. Just thoughts...

Appreciate the help, Dave