Advice needed on MB Rack & Pinion

Technical question: If the center seal on the rack piston (between 2 fluid chambers) was distored/slight hole/etc. and allowed fluid to bypass, would this cause a "wandering" sensation while driving? Everything else has been eliminated- alignment, tires, tie rods, rack play, etc.

I'm wondering what inside the rack failing/malfunctioning would cause this. The steering ALSO does not "self center" after doing steering wheel movements. Been this way since new.