Steering stiff, worse when cold

Hi everyone, looking for some advice on possible cause of my stiff steering.
The steering has stiff spots which is worse when it's colder. When the truck is first started when cold there's a belt squealing sound that eventually goes away when the engine warms up.
When it's below freezing the problem is worse. When driving the steering does not easily return to center. With warmer outside temperatures, the problem isn't as bad.
Wondering what are the likely causes (pump, belt, steering shaft, rack & pinion).
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

Belt squeal may be normal due to condensation being trapped in the grooves. The steering being stiff, check your fluid level in the power steering, as the racks is known to leak at full turn lock. May be necessary to drain and refill with fresh fluid

 

Suggest new accessory belt and a change in fluid.

 

How many miles are on your truck?

 

about 210,000 km (130,000 mi)

 

If your power steering fluid is low, be sure to figure out where the fluid is going, don't just top it off.

Look for leaks around the PS pump and run your fingers along the rack on the bottom side of each end where the boot meets the rack to see if it's sticky and dirty from leaking fluid weeping out of the boot.

 

If your fluid level is good, and no leaks, then try spraying the lower steering shaft u-joint (right where it connects to the rack) with penetrating lube. If the stiff steering frees up, then the u-joint is binding and the lower shaft needs yo be replaced. The spray lube alone is not a fix.

 

If it's been doing this for any length of time and seems to work fine other times I don't think it's the power steering fluid (but it's still worth checking the level). I would replace that squealing belt. If it's slipping the PS pump may not be pumping. Other places to look at are the ball joints. I had one go in my 2000 Tundra. The signs were the steering was tight, usually after sitting and the steering wheel would no longer return to center when driving. Oddly it passed inspection a month earlier so either the garage didn't check the joints or there was rust inside it (because grease fittings are too expensive to add to ball joints) making it feel tight. I would put this lower down on the list but it's worth checking into.

 

Did you ever figure it out? I’m having the same issue, and I just got a new rack and pinion, about to buy a lower steering shaft but would love to know if that was your issue.

 

i had forgotten about this post, yes I did figure it out... the belt squeal and stiff steering were unrelated. replaced the belt and fixed the squeal but not the stiffness. the stiffness was caused by the steering shaft u-joint. Some mediocre hits with a hammer and bunch of PB Blaster did the trick for me. Generously spray the u joint then tap or light hit a bunch and repeat a couple times. every so often turn steering full left and back full right several times and repeat spray & hit. good luck

 

Thank you very much!! So if I want to just replace it it would be the lower unit?

 

yes I would bet so, i believe it's called an intermediate shaft... looked like a bit of a tricky job so i decided to try and loosen it up and it worked for me, so far so good after almost 3 years. worst case lube/hammer it and see what happens...

 

Thanks buddy