Hard Points in Steering

I left my truck sitting for 3 weeks while I was away on shift. I came back to stiff steering. Feels like there are hard points as I steer in both directions, and it takes a lot of effort to steer at slow speeds. Power steering fluid level is fine, tire pressure is okay. Any ideas of what it could be?

 

Spray the living shit out of the lower steering shaft u-joint with penetrating oil

 

Do this^^^^ After wheeling a lot of muddy trails my ateering got stiff as fuck. I use white lithium grease but any lube will work pretty sure. Just get under and spray it, then start the truck and turn the wheel. Get out and do it again till its normal again. Mines been fine for the last 15k after i regreased the open U joint.

 

With all respect to the other posters above...

What you really should do is replace the lower intermediate shaft with the universal joint in it. If it is binding there is a problem with the universal joint bearings. If that universal joint comes loose while driving you will not be able to steer at all. I personally do not want to get in that position or be near you in that position.

Get it fixed properly. One word of caution: Tie the steering wheel off so that it doesn't turn with the shaft removed. If it it turned too far the spiral cable will be broken inside the steering column.