My steering wheel is stiff at times. Anyone had this problem?

[rock13979]

Ok this problem existed when I first got the x.
The steering seems to be stiff at times and i have to use a little extra muscle to steer until it unstiffens It happens when the truck is cold and occasionally when im driving it stiffens up for a couple of seconds. I changed the power steering fluid. What other things could this be? It's a 96 xlt v8
Thanks

 

[mrboyle]

The symptoms you described are very common to rack & pinnion steering systems and is known as morning sickness. It is due to wear inside the rack housing and can only be cured by replacing the pack.

 

[Jason_25]

I have the same problem sometimes. There was a rack & pinion from an explorer for sale on ebay a while back and I let it slip by for like 10 bucks. Probably a dumb idea.

 

[rock13979]

How much would a rack and pinnon cost?