attn to all: philadelphia streets SUCK

anyways I hit a pothole two days ago, totally ****ing up my steering (to stay straight i had to keep wheel at a slight turn). Also, my car does not want to stay straight- it wants to move toward the right and i can feel that when i hit bumps.. also my suspension doesn't feel like it absorbs bumps right anymore- hard to explain but it feels like it has less travel.

got it checked today at an alignment shop, where they said the toe was in spec (camber obviously out) and couldn't figure out why.

i had another mechanic look at the underbody- no signs of damage to the arms, tie rods etc etc and the wheels were not bent, and spun straight (lugs nuts are on tight too)

the only thing my friend mechanic found was the rack and pinion may be loose or completely ****ed cuz it makes noises when i turn the steering wheel. Would this cause my strange steering issues (car trying to turn)???

i'm going back later and he wants to try to tighten up the bolts to the R&P hoping to fix this issue

any thoughts of opinions or ideas would greatly be appreciated!