Heavy steering in a VT

[savage1987]

Did a search, game me nothing of value.

Stock VT Acclaim V6. Steering becomes intermittently heavy when parking. No weird noises from pump etc. Car has 400,000 ish on the clock.

Any ideas?
Sam

[alex2_s]

Low/uneven tyre pressures, worn steering rack, looseness/misalignment etc in the shaft/rack, failing pump, something else bent/damaged in the suspension (Radius rods etc)

Although probably the pump or rack worn (maybe the belt?) causing low hydraulic pressure. I assume the fluid level's fine.

[BlackVXGTS]

My money would be on the belt or pump. Parking speeds (especially at full lock) require a lot more effort and put more pressure on the pump, which is driven by the drive belt. 400K is amazing if that's the original pump.

[savage1987]

Low/uneven tyre pressures, worn steering rack, looseness/misalignment etc in the shaft/rack, failing pump, something else bent/damaged in the suspension (Radius rods etc)

Although probably the pump or rack worn (maybe the belt?) causing low hydraulic pressure. I assume the fluid level's fine.

Tyre pressures are maintained well, rack is original as far as I know, never been played with so won't be misalignment, could be developing looseness I guess, pump is also original as far as I know so may be that I suppose. Suspension hasn't ever had a hit so should be OK.

My money would be on the belt or pump. Parking speeds (especially at full lock) require a lot more effort and put more pressure on the pump, which is driven by the drive belt. 400K is amazing if that's the original pump.

Belt is fine, replaced recently, could be the pump. Although, I wasn't aware that a failing pump could cause this sort of thing intermittently......? 95% of the time, even parking, it's fine. Then 5% of the time becomes a total nightmare.