My 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S won't steer properly (wheel is very hard to turn). Advice?

[twisterc]

Recently I've noticed my Nissan Altima (2003, 2.5S) is very hard to steer with. I took it to the mechanic and got the power steering fluid flushed and replaced. When I got it back, the wheel was somewhat easier to turn but it still feels like its very hard to turn.

I still have full range of motion on the turn. I can turn the wheel the entire way and I don't hear any noises when the wheels are turning. Its just that as soon as you turn it past a certain point (not even much), you feel a much greater difficulty in continuing to turn it.

If anyone has any idea what the problem could be, I would appreciate an answer or just some hints to find out the real problem. Thanks.

 

[EricF]

flushing was a great start, however, either the pump is wearing down, which I kinda doubt, or you have a binded up hose, which I doubt because that should have been caught.
the rack & pinion unit though... well on my 2002 I've replaced it twice already. there will be no 3rd time. the 02 and 03 are close enough, same parts.