Please help, steering problems!

[mountaineerbeast]

I have a 97 Mercury Mountaineer AWD 176xxx miles.
I have noticed that the steering keeps getting heavier over time. It's really mostly the heaviest at low speeds, like when parking or backing out of a parking spot.
I think it may be the mid-steering shaft because i notice one of the covers was torn.
However, something else to note is that when i turn the wheel the engine revs go up a little bit(that should be normal) and i hear sort of a groaning noise coming from the power steering pump (i've heard that's an indicator of a bad power steering pump).
I've also heard that steering difficulty can come sometimes come from a binding AWD transfer case. Or it may even be the fact that my frond drive shaft has been getting worse and worse (i already know i need to fix it).

Lastly, is there a chance that my steering could lock up if the mid-steering column gets worse?

I would greatly appreciate it if anybody that has fixed this problem before could help me figure out what it is.
thank you

 

[yavapaires]

I have a 97 Mercury Mountaineer AWD 176xxx miles.
I have noticed that the steering keeps getting heavier over time. It's really mostly the heaviest at low speeds, like when parking or backing out of a parking spot.
I think it may be the mid-steering shaft because i notice one of the covers was torn.
However, something else to note is that when i turn the wheel the engine revs go up a little bit(that should be normal) and i hear sort of a groaning noise coming from the power steering pump (i've heard that's an indicator of a bad power steering pump).
I've also heard that steering difficulty can come sometimes come from a binding AWD transfer case. Or it may even be the fact that my frond drive shaft has been getting worse and worse (i already know i need to fix it).

Lastly, is there a chance that my steering could lock up if the mid-steering column gets worse?

I would greatly appreciate it if anybody that has fixed this problem before could help me figure out what it is.
thank you

I do not think it is your steering column. More likely the pump getting old. My 96 sometimes steers heavy. The pump noise is pretty much normal. Be sure the fluid level is a bit ABOVE the full mark. If the steering column gets bad enough, it could cause a problem, but you should feel it getting worse before it gets bad enough to cause a problem. Check your air pressure, and the ball joints and tie rod ends. If any are dry that will cause heave steering also.

 

[my98nnj]

Don't overlook the obvious, check the belt, it may be slipping.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I know on my '96 the intermediate shaft is going, which causes the steering to stick, sort of at certain point when i steer. I have not had the heavy steering problem you have had though, I had it once when I was in a hurry, right after i started up my truck, but it got easier while I was turning, I figured the pump did not build up enough pressure yet.

 

[mountaineerbeast]

It's a brand new belt, as a got a shorter one so i could bypass the A/C Compressor that seized right before i hit the trail.
I might just replace power steering pump with one that will also run a hydraulic winch.

 

[justanother1]

We had the heavy / hard steering on the wife's 96 ex. Replaces the steering shaft helped some. Replaced the pump and all is good. Should have done this sooner.

 

[Justme63]

I know on my '96 the intermediate shaft is going, which causes the steering to stick, sort of at certain point when i steer. I have not had the heavy steering problem you have had though, I had it once when I was in a hurry, right after i started up my truck, but it got easier while I was turning, I figured the pump did not build up enough pressure yet.

How involved (difficult?) was it to replace the shaft. It seems that my truck must have been sitting for some time as I am noticing the typical issues related to inactivity. I have replaced the P.S. pump but have found the boot on the shaft is torn and before I pull the rack I want to replace this to see if this is the problem. Just wondering if you could give me any tips.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

How involved (difficult?) was it to replace the shaft. It seems that my truck must have been sitting for some time as I am noticing the typical issues related to inactivity. I have replaced the P.S. pump but have found the boot on the shaft is torn and before I pull the rack I want to replace this to see if this is the problem. Just wondering if you could give me any tips.

I haven't replaced it yet. Ford does not have it, nor does any after market retailers, and I have yet to find one in the junk yard. So for now I am at a stand still, some people say for a temporary fix to spray some WD-40 under the boot to lubricate it. I have not tried it. I may though.