Steering rack getting stiff

I noticed about two weeks ago that the steering in the tundra was stiffer than normal at low speeds. Parking lot speeds. I don’t notice it on the highway.

It’s become fairy stiff, almost like something is binding up or the power steering is going out. I know this was an issue with the 2nd gens. I’m just under 60k miles on my 2014.

I do have the Bilstein 6100 leveling kit up front sand stock tire size. Anyone dealt with this on a 3rd gen? I wasn’t able to find much info on failures with 3rd gens.

 

My 2016 just had the rack replaced under warranty. Steering felt fine however a noticeable ammount of grease was pushed out on the passenger side where the tie rod screws in.

 

This happened to me with my 2010 4Runner at about the 70,000 mile mark. It got progressively worse at slow speeds until it almost felt at time like the power steering was failing. Turned out the truck needed a new steering shaft. Something about joints getting bound up. The fix was covered under my extended warranty. I asked the guys if I didn't have the warranty what it would have cost, they said in the neighborhood of $500-$600 to fix. So it wasn't cheap but also wouldn't have been catastrophically expensive. Anyway, sounds like you could be having a similar issue.

 

I have the extended warranty thankfully. I’ll check for leaking grease and dry joints.

 

What fixed your issue?
My truck just turned 60,000 miles over Covid while I didn't drive it much. Steering was noticeably stiffer. I started by oiling the U joint like crazy, then a Power Steering Fluid flush, then a Power steering pump replacement. None fixed the issue. The stiffness starts after driving the truck for 20-30 minutes or when the fluid is hot in the system. I was told a steering rack replacement can be in the $1000s since it calls for 12-14 hours labor on the 3rd gen 2014+ models.