Stiff Steering Problem & Lazy Soft Clutch Pedal

I have a 2001 4wd manual transmission extra cab Taco. The steering wheel is a bit stiff & sticky at points. I had the power steering pump replaced, & the problem still exists. I could've sworn I saw a thread about a problem with the steering being intermittently resistant as the steering wheel goes through it's revolution. The solution was to spray sea foam on the steering column. I can't find that thread. I'd like some detail on how to access the shaft. Also, the clutch doesn't pop back all the way anymore. Any advice there would help also.

 

SeaFoam is great stuff, but it's not the right thing for lubricating a steering input shaft.

I suggest getting the front of the truck up on jackstands, and turn the wheel back and forth, and see if you have resistance without load on the wheels.

You should be able to see the u joint in the steering shaft above the pedals pretty easily.

When the pump was replaced, did they also replace the reservoir and clean the filter/screen? Have you visually inspected the PS lines to look for kinks/damage to the lines?

There are some clutch spring return mods you can make. If you search, you should find more than one thread on the topic.

 

Have you ever replaced that big ugly spring that returns the clutch pedal? Many threads about this.

Pop your head under the dash you will see the spring the nylon bushings wear out and the pedal hangs up.

What other front end parts have been replaced ? Any moving part could be at fault.

Just what lead you to think the power steering pump had failed?