I have a pretty stiff, tight steering wheel. Both diffs with light leaking, power steering fluid full and no leak, no maintenance records from previous owner. There is no whining when steering, but when at the very end of left or right it makes a noticeable sound that is similar to when my boyfriend’s 4runner had a big power steering leak and screwed up steering rack. Sort of a humming whine I suppose. Maybe old tie rods? Any other suggestions? https://omegle.onl/ vshare

 

Bad power steering pump or no fluid in it, which will destroy it too. Does it get better if you rev the engine up? When mine failed, I had no power at idle, but worked okay with the engine rev'd up. Almost ran off the road when it first happened, because suddenly I needed both hands pulling hard on the steering wheel to make that tight turn.

 

Older American vehicles typically make a terrible noise when the steering reaches maximum angle.

Is the steering effort high at every angle, or just at the outer limits? Perhaps a lift mod done poorly has something binding up?

 

I had this issue and it was the u joints in the front axle going bad.

 

Bad u-joints shouldn't make the steering stiff. Bad u-joints will make noise, vibration, and jerking when steering.