Steering is stiff and unresponsive

[callwill]

This morning i left on a long round trip (15 hrs driving). Not long into the trip i began to notice that it was alot more difficult to turn the steering wheel. Sometimes it would turn easy in one direction only to be much more difficult to bring the wheel back the other way. There were moments when it almost felt normal but then it was back to being stiff. The wheel is not returning to center either, you need to drag it there. Sometimes the steering felt glitchy to. Where do i start so we can sort the problem and begin repairs. Not wanting to fire the parts cannon at it.
2011 EL XLT 140k miles.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Check the power steering fluid for correct level.

If it is okay, you can do a partial fluid change using a turkey baster kitchen tool.

Remove as much fluid as you can (engine off) and replace it with the correct fluid. Look up the required fluid. Don’t guess.

Do this 3-4 times, driving the vehicle in between changes.

 

[AWAR]

I agree with checking the fluid level, that series of trucks have a power steering cooler built into the air conditioning condenser. I have replaced many for leaks and have added aftermarket coolers bypassing the factory cooler on others. This is visible on pickups since the grill is attached to the hood.

 

[callwill]

No sign of leaks, just as full as ever. I did 1 turkey baster change and there was a remarkable improvement. I will do it again in a few days after it has been driven a decent distance. i will also do some lock to lock turns in a parking lot to get that fluid worked thru. The last change i do i will put a bottle of lucas power steering fluid with conditioner in it.

 

[Valk]

When was the last time you flushed the power steering fluid? This should be done every 60k miles and use motorcraft mercon V. I disconnected the in and out line at the reservoir and had the system pump new in as I was dumping the old out. Also the yoke on the shaft in the engine bay can go bad also with what you are describing. I used blaster to clean it really good and then used redline to lubricate/protect it or can use surface protect. This seemed to help the last year but eventually will have to replace if continued problems.

 

[JKH13]

This morning i left on a long round trip (15 hrs driving). Not long into the trip i began to notice that it was alot more difficult to turn the steering wheel. Sometimes it would turn easy in one direction only to be much more difficult to bring the wheel back the other way. There were moments when it almost felt normal but then it was back to being stiff. The wheel is not returning to center either, you need to drag it there. Sometimes the steering felt glitchy to. Where do i start so we can sort the problem and begin repairs. Not wanting to fire the parts cannon at it.
2011 EL XLT 140k miles.

My 09 Limited EL 4X steering got stiff since the steering shaft ( Joints ) got rusty. Open hood and you can see it. Spray WD-40 big time on it and start truck and work steering wheel. Do it till smooth and apply plenty of WD to flush rust out of joints. When smooth turning returned I sprayed White Lithium on it to keep H2O out as best as possible. Steered as new afterwards.

 

[Limoguy25]

When was the last time you flushed the power steering fluid? This should be done every 60k miles and use motorcraft mercon V. I disconnected the in and out line at the reservoir and had the system pump new in as I was dumping the old out. Also the yoke on the shaft in the engine bay can go bad also with what you are describing. I used blaster to clean it really good and then used redline to lubricate/protect it or can use surface protect. This seemed to help the last year but eventually will have to replace if continued problems.

The lower intermediate shaft has two joints, one at either end of the shaft.