Weird power steering issue

I have a 2015 and over the last few weeks I noticed the power steering getting a little stiff. It had only been getting worse so I decided to flush the fluid and that didn’t fix anything. A couple of really hot days we had, the steering was very hard, but not consistently. Through a turn it was almost like it would be stuff, loosen up, be stiff loosen up. The wheel also wouldn’t return to center if you let go. Nothing appears to be leaking and nothing makes any weird noises. My mechanic looked at it and thinks the lower intermediate steering shaft u joint is binding up and should be replaced. I just drove my truck again today on a much cooler day and it’s almost like there was nothing even wrong with the steering. Any thoughts? Should the u joint still be the place to start?

 

The serpentine belt runs the a/c pump as well as the power steering pump.

You said a cooler day the steering felt normal. The a/ c pump wouldn't be running.

Is there a chance the a/c pump is binding and slowing up the belt?

Seems like you would hear a squeal and maybe get a low voltage battery light as well.

I'm just tossing darts here. Looking forward to what you find.

 

You could try soaking that steering shaft u-joint in some penetrating lube, and see if the symptom gets better. If it does, you confirmed it is the culprit.

Spray lube alone was not the fix though, as the u-joint cross, needles, and cups are going to be pitted, galled, and fubar. You don’t want fubar parts in your steering, so replacing it is the fix.

 

Problem solved. It definitely was the u joint on the steering shaft seized up. Once we got it out, you can’t even bend the joint in a certain direction. Smooth as butter again!

 

Thanks for posting this. My 08 is doing exactly this same thing right now.