I drove my wife's '06 LR3 last week and really felt a stiffness in the steering. Getting out of the driveway and going around corners the wheel doesn't easily spin back to straight. Tires are good. I replaced the steering column knuckle last year. Replaced both hub assemblies last year. 125K, original ball joints, and tie rods. Intermittent slight vibration in steering wheel going down the road. Thoughts on which pieces to start with?

 

I would start at the U joint on the lower steering column and spray a lot of a heavy grease on it.It is a known point that seizes over time and simple lubrications goes a long was as it was in my case and others as well. But didn't you just say that you have replaced lower steering column last year ?

 

thorgal, what grease did you use?

 

Also if the wheel doesn't return to straight it could be an issue with the castor adjustment. The old a$$ ball joints can't be helping the alignment, either.

 

This.

 

Thorgal, Yes I replaced that small U joint on the lower column last year due to the notchy steering. This issue is not all together different, yet I'm assuming the part I put 10k miles ago is still good, and it's not notchy just stiff.
When the ball joints go out do they just get clunky? or can they get all gummed up and create some friction?