04 GC difficult steering, need advice

I have a 2004 GC with 60000 miles. My wife and I bought it new and have had no trouble with it. A few months ago my wife told me it was becoming difficult to steer when at low speeds and only to the LEFT!?! I drove it around and sure enough, if you are turning at low speeds as if to pull into a parking space, it's almost as if the steering wheel catches for a second. It takes much more strength to turn the wheel and it does this only when turning to the left. I have checked the PS fluid level and it's fine. I have seen no leaks and there has not been any damage ever done to it. I was wondering if anyone has ran into something like this to give me an idea on what may be the problem so I don't get hosed when I take it to a repair shop. Thanks!

Only thing off the top of my head is to that the steering damper (big shock connected horizontal-ish along the front axle) might be reaching the end of its service life. . . . just my :2cents:

You might try replacing the power steering fluid, mine was hard to turn in both directions until I did so.

Also, I heard of the same problem on a vehicle, it was a sticky valve in the steering box, and cleared up after awhile with clean fluid and some movement back and forth.

Thanks for the help. I may give the idea of changing the fluid a try. All it would cost me is a little time and a little fluid! Good idea!

Are either of the CV boots ripped?

Maybe it's your CV Joint or Pitman Arm?

its the steering gear box.I have changed a lot of them because of this exact problem.

As luck would have it, I took it to the shop on Monday and I felt it do it as I was leaving my drive and once I got it to the shop, it didn't do it. I tried like crazy (as did the mech.) to get it to do it for him but it wouldn't.

XJ31: Could temp cause any difference? It was much warmer on Monday when I took it in. Also, got a ballpark figure on what I would be looking at for parts and labor? (Trying to get an idea if I'm looking at $1000 vs. $250 type of thing)

Thanks to ALL for the help!

I wanted to update this problem. I had my local shop look at this problem twice before they confirmed that it was the steering gear. (I'm pretty sure that's what they called it.) I was out the door for about $500 parts and labor if anyone else runs into this problem. Thanks for those who posted and xj31 who was right on the money!!!

Thanks for the update!