Hard steering, worse when cold?

[kookookachew]

Hey guys, a few days ago my steering started getting stiff, I wasnt exactly sure if I was going insane or not, but it felt different. Well today it was colder and I definitely noticed a difference. The steering has become hard to turn, not "no power steering hard", but hard enough to be a problem. And it definitely gets worse in the cold. When I turn the wheel its not a smooth turn either, the resistance goes up and down in a uniform pattern as I turn the wheel. So, does anybody know what this could be? I know its either the pump or the rack, and I'm perfectly willing to replace one if I have too, but I want to replace the right one.

BTW: There IS fluid in the reservoir, and its up to the proper level.

[02_Legacy]

Sounds like the pump to me. And if it was the pump it would make sence that it would be worse when cold because thicker fluid is going to be harder to move. Does engine speed make any difference?

[kookookachew]

^ Actually I havnt checked yet. I'll go out right now and check...

[kookookachew]

If engine rpm does make a difference, its only minimal. I couldnt really notice a difference between idle and say 3000 rpm.