*Stiff

2001 Volvo S40. 80K miles. Steering wheel is stiff. When turning from a stop light car feels heavy to turn. There is a little bit of groaning noise when turning. The PS pump sounds normal when stopped. In the manual it recommends ATF fluid. Bought Sea Foam lube tune yesterday and put some in the reservoir to clean the system out yesterday and then drained and filled the reservoir with Mobile 1 ATF. It didn't make a difference. There are no visible leaks in the PS system. How can I be sure its not the pump that is causing the issue?

 

Place the front of the car up on jackstands and have someone turn the wheels with the engine running to see if it still groans and if it gets easier to turn. I'm betting it's the pump though as steering racks tend to get loose and leak fluid. Other components that can fail are the strut bearings up top and ball joints at the bottom.

 

Ya it does groan. No other leaks. I have concluded its the pump but now I have more pressing matters with the car. Will change the pump eventually.