Power Steering issues

[ttzcar]

And yet another problem with the 4.4i Honestly it's mainly my fault. I've never kept a car this long in my life and now I know why. So far within 3 years my radiator has gone bad, water pump which severed all my belts, door handle broke, transfer case/drive shaft stripped, $3,000 in tires, 3 of my 4 window mechanism's have broken, both front axles needed to be replaced and my rotors turned. (ALL OF WHICH WERE EMBARRASSING OR AN INCONVENIENCE) I currently have a squeeky steering wheel and now my power steering is going bad or something.
SO... My power steering. Basically I started noticing about 4 months ago that when I'd turn in either direction my temperature would get stronger. Whether it was cold or hot it would get colder or hotter. I ignored it of course, just like you can do in a Lexus. And now my power steering is working at like only half it's power. I checked my fluids and did all that. But the power steering is not completely gone, I still have power in the steering, it's just really tough, even while completely parked. AND it kind of clicks. Either right or left. Let's say I'm making a 90 degree turn, when the steering wheel is about half way to whatever I turn it to when turning normally, it clicks or something. Not a click that my passenger can hear (thank god) but I feel it in the steering wheel. It's a pretty good bump/click.
So I'm asking,... Has anyone experinced this? Is it the power steering pump? Is it something I can change? I'm not a mechanic by any means but I fixed everything else myself. Changed out the radiator, transfercase etc. Help please. Hopefully I get a reply and I can fix it this weekend.

[scchang]

I feel a click when turning to the left at 90 degrees. I have some high pitched squeaks also. '01 4.4

[OliverTwist]

Have you had the power steering checked out? I had the problem a while back and they replaced some parts but it did the same thing within a week. I took it back to the shop and they added some type of fluid to the power steering fluid to soften the seals and that did the trick. Now a year later I am having the same problem again. I'm wondering if there is a more permanent solution.

Also, funny.. I had to replace my door handle too! $800+ at the stealer!!

[TheKingSim0n]

I have the same sound but my steering wheel is somehow touching the body of the X under the hood, which is causing this odd HIT click stuck position and noise... its annoying and im waiting for maybe a body shop to see what they can do to pull or push it off the body.