Steering is Hard to Turn

Check the u-joints of the steering shaft.

Thank you for your response. this happened again today however this time was accompinied by a clunking noise while turning right. Should I inspect anything else or stick with the u-joints. Thanks

If there is a clunking noise, something else seems to be wrong. Check the steering linkages and suspension system.

hard turning at idle, moves freely when rev'ed at idle, or under normal driving speeds.

belt is tight.
No unusual noises from pump at idle.

pump gone bad, and is this an unusual problem for this vehicle?

The clue to a weak pump is the steering is equally hard in both directions, that problem started with both directions at the same time, and the power assist improves when you increase engine speed. This was real common with the "ZF" style pump which looks like yours might be a version of.

Some time with the use of an OEM diagnostic you can calibrate your steering wheel

Whining noise and hard to turn.

One of your posted messages talked about a o-ring being replaced and fixed the problem. where is it located?

First check the fluid level. If it is low, the pump will suck in air, resulting in the whining noise and hard steering. If the level is low, that is the time to check for a leak. The o-ring is on the pump end of the high pressure hose. That o-ring typically leaks from improper installation procedures. It is more common to find the rack and pinion steering gear leaking. To find that, remove the clamp from the small end of one of the inner tie rod end boots, then open it up a little with a pick or small flat blade screwdriver. Power steering fluid will run out if the steering gear is leaking.

Noise will also occur if the wrong power steering fluid is used. I do not know if that will also cause hard steering.

Stearing pump made a noise a few times so we replaced the pump now the stearing is intermittenly hard and it just got worse to the point that it is hard all the time. Could it be the rack, solinoid? How can you tell?

Are there any leaks? Is the belt tight? Is the fluid full? Was the system bled after replacing the pump?

We changed the pump and had a lot of trouble with frothing found it was a defective pump and replaced that and all was good it was got and smooth until we test drove it and the stearing stiffens up a couple of times then after washing the car and engine compartment ît went back to normal until we almost got it back home then back to almost like the power starting failed altogether. But every thing seems normal. No noise belt is good pullies are good. Fluid is new and clean. Could it be a solenoid or collapsed hose? Thanks for any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Is there a pressure sensor on the system?