very stiff steering, is it the pump or the rack?
how to test it?

 

first check the fluid..always the first thing..

 

Dunno how to test, but on my 93, I had stiff steering for 2ish years, then developed a dead spot. Ended up replacing both the rack and pump.

 

Definitely check the fluid level first. Actually I would go ahead and replace the fluid. Draw the old stuff out of the reservoir as much as you can with a turkey baster, refill, see what happens. If it is better, do the "draw out/refill/test 2 or three more times and you should have mostly fresh fluid in it.

 

1st thing I did was to check fluid level then replaced the power steering pump twice with veried results (used pump from wreckers). Now the question is are the pumps any good or is it the rack?
how to test it?

 

If you see fluid moving in the pump then the rack is bad.

 

Yep.

 

if u turn and hear a "clunking"noise then its more than liekly the rack..

good luck

 

In case you are wondering I still have not got this stiff steering issue resolved, too damn cold right now to work on. However I have to get it on the road soon for my kids to drive the car.
As advised above I :
- checked the fluid
- there is no fluid movement in the reservoir
- belt is good
- replaced the steering pump with a junk yard one (hum .... yup I know!)

Before I get replacing another steering pump, should I check anything else?
thanks

 

Well ...it turns out it was a seized up steering knuckle! Lifted the car off the ground and greased it up, seams to have solved the problem.