Stiff steering

Hi all, got a problem with the steering, first thing in the morning when I start the car I can't turn the wheel, pull the wheel a bit harder and it turns and then seems OK. I've changed the oil and blead the system, it looses no oil, no leaks, belt tight, is it the rack or the pump on the way out?.

Suggest you lift the front of the car off the road and try it. Does the pump sound like it's working hard to move the rack when it's stiff? If it doesn't, then it could be the column - universal joint perhaps? If it does sound like it's working hard, then maybe either the rack or the upper strut bearings.

i had a similar problem 3 years ago on a volvo 940, the problem was cured when i greased the steering colume universal joing in the engine bay , its worth a try :blk_md_wht: