STIFF steering. Pump or rack? Detailed

hey fellas, did my truck in good Monday. Broke my front passenger wheel, bent lower control(just replaced 3 weeks ago to add to the ass burn) and bent spindle lol. Somehow the tire held up fine though so +1 for falken wildpeaks also not a scratch on the body. luckily I was only working 700miles from home. Anyhow got the truck "fixed" pretty quick. Drives straight, no vibrations. Sat in it for 11 hours at 75mph yesterday Id say steering is tight. However I don't seem to have any power steering. Steers like a tank under 5mph.

I jacked up the front end when I got home. Steers smooth in both directions. No stiff spots. Next I completely flushed out the power steering with new atf. No luck there. When the trucks on pavement at a stand still if I try turning the wheel I can hear the slightest noise and get a real quick Rev bump before the pump seems to decide it doesn't feel like it. Didn't lose any power steering fluid on the drive home. Topped off and monitored it on the drive

Pretty dumb freak accident, Any info is good info. Shops are All closed for the weekend. Gotta get the ol girl back to 100% asap. Thanks

2018 3.5 4x4 sr5

 

I thought third gens had an electric power steering setup?

 

Still hydraulic on 3rd gens thankfully

 

One of the techs at my local dealership told me that too..it concerned me deeply.

 

Hey OP, you might want to state more info so others can get started assisting. Your year, model, engine, all that fun stuff.

 

Definitely sounds like the rack, it probably has an internal leak causing pressure loss, so it cant keep up with low speed demand.

Hard to say, but its the only logical choice.

 

I dont know all the details but my bro inlaw had to replace the steering shaft on his 2017 sr5 access cab.

 

Forgot to mention that I didn't lose any fluid on drive home. Topped off and checked every gas stop

 

Yea I mean internally, so pressure is dropping off inside the rack itself.

The problem is the only thing that was impacted was the steering and the rack itself, shy of a bad upper ball joint there's no other sensible solution.