2013 QX56 Stiff Steering

[chesbayQX56]

My 2013 QX56 developed a stiff steering wheel symptom overnight. My mechanic has flushed the fluid and replaced the steering pump w/ a new OEM pump from Infiniti that did not resolve the issue. The next suggestion is to replace the rack and pinion, which is pricey. Has anyone had similar issues or have recommendations? No leaks or noises before the issue popped up. Could this be a senor, fuse, solenoid, valve or something else besides the rack and pinion?

2013 QX56
193,000 miles

[macgiver]

An open damaged boot on drv's side WILL reveal the actual rack ' teeth ' , which would have been "factory greased" , AND so that scenario WILL p/u road DEBRIS
ya got some pebbles or 'road-kill' in there maybe ?? in the rack teeth ?, just happened ?

[chesbayQX56]

Thanks for the response macgiver. Yes, the heavy steering just popped up. I drove the truck in the morning and I went out an hour later and the steering wheel was a lot harder to turn. Not as hard as if the truck was turned off but about 30-50% more difficult to turn in either direction. No noises, grinding, leaking fluids prior or after the issue.

[VStar650CL]

Check fuse #3 in the cabin fusebox, that's the power supply for the P/S Controller. If the fuse is good, check the solenoid valve on the steering rack for damaged wiring, it's susceptible to road debris or even rodent attacks. If the wiring looks okay, backprobe the solenoid wires with a voltmeter with the engine running, you should see near battery voltage on the Red wire and a "middle voltage" (actually a variable PWM signal) on the Blue wire. If you read 0V on Red then there's either an open wire to the P/S Controller (located behind the glovebox) or the controller is bad. If you read the same voltage on both Red and Blue then the same applies to the Blue wire. If you read near 0V on Blue then the solenoid is bad (open coil).

[macgiver]

VStar more relevant here I think , I've experienced steering feel when the p/s controller is "out" , and it feels like ALL the power aspect gone , throughout the range of turns - my suggestion would have grinds and variable feel stiffness . I believe if it feels more 'normal' at fast hi-way speeds , he's right on !!

[chesbayQX56]

Vstar650CL nailed it. The wires coming out of the steering rack solenoid were damaged. My mechanic fixed the wires and everything is normal. This explains the sudden lose of power steering. Thanks everyone for the help!

[VStar650CL]