U joint rusty/frozen? how to check that?

[ithinksgreen]

Hi,

I have a 2010 Rogue with 46K miles and had been struggling with stiff steering issues for last 2 months since i changed my tires. in this process of diagnosis I went through 3 alignments and electric power steering pump replacement. all of which did not fix the issue.

one of my friend suggested that it could be U-joint which could be rusty or frozen. considering i live in north east and there is lot of rust underneath my car just after 2 winter's of my car. I am thinking that could be the issue hopefully.

Do you guys know where is it located ?

[CUCO01]

Apply WD-40 to the Steering coupler. It's connected to the steering rack. The joint that connects the steering wheel to the rack. Follow the steering wheel mechanism by the drivers fire wall. Soak it with WD-40 if you feel a slight improvement then that's your culprit. Steering lower shaft assembly. look it up

[ImStricken06]

ok, dont go and soak anything in wd40. you could end up damaging connectors and or wires. if you are going to use anything make sure its subber safe, as you could end up spraying other things aside from the u-joint. plus wd40 isnt a lubricant... its a water displacer - hence the WD
if you're steering, and dont hear grinding noise, or have any physical binding, or sloppiness - its not your steering shaft or its u-joints bearings

whats probably failing is your electric power steering system.