Steering stiff in tight turns

[p38fln]

I've started hearing a whining sound when I'm in sharp curves on dry pavement, and I also notice the steering seems to be noticeably stiffer on dry pavement than it used to be. I tried turning on the 4WD to see if it was the same, and the 4WD makes it about 10 times worse.
If I get it into snow, it turns just like it used to, all the pull on the steering wheel is gone, and it just turns.
Just hoping to make this last until my new F-150 comes in, but I do want to trade in a truck that everything works on

 

[bobbywalter]

when is the last time you checked the fluid? or had it changed?

 

[p38fln]

Which fluid? Differential or Transfer case? I've never checked any of them to be honest...
Valvoline said they checked both differentials and transfer cases at the last oil change, about 3,000 miles ago, and both were full. Transfer case was seeping oil, but it has been for 20,000 miles and has managed to stay full.

Oil's never been changed in the transfer case or differentials, vehicle has 83,000 miles on it

 

[bobbywalter]

i was referring to the power steering fluid.


and i defiantly would have changed the diff and t case by now, but dont, as your getting a fresh rig.

 

[Earl43P]

I think he meant power steering fluid.

I recommend sucking the reservoir dry and refilling with synthetic ATF.
Drive a few days, repeat, repeat until you've used the whole quart.


You can also remove the return line and push it out with the pump, keeping the reservoir filled, but I like my way.

I'd hazard a guess that your lower ball joints are about shot, increasing your steering resistance enough to make the pump complain. Mileage is about right, does it creak in turns over bumps and dips?

 

[p38fln]

Very quiet - no creaks or groans or anything.

I think you're right, the fluid looks just awful. I've never actually looked in the reservoir before, what its got looks kind of like grape jelly thats gone bad.

Today was significantly warmer than its been for the past week, and the problem was gone

 

[cargs]

check your front u-joints at the knuckles. i had one seize up and it gave some crazy steering.