It's hard to armchair diagnois a car. Might try jacking it up and removing one of the 2 bolts attaching the steering dampener. See if it's bad by test. I would guess it could be replaced at your current mileage.

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E