Stiff steering problem

My neighbor has a 2002 Sedona that has developed a problem with the Steering. An intermittant situation occurs where the Wheel is hard to turn sometimes, especially when cold. Sometimes all seems well but mostly the wheel is hard to turn(as if only a partial Power assist was working) and there is no easy return to straight when the wheel goes back to center. You must turn it hand over hand to get it straight. The suspension pieces(Ball joints, tie rod ends etc) seem ok. He has put on a used pump and when that did not help a used rack.(New rack is almost $400) Neither has helped. He took the original rack and placed it on the floor and turned the shaft with a vice grip and it turned smoothly. As I write this he is installing a rebuilt pump in the car. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do to fix it. Any help greatly appreciated.

You need the intermediate shaft that goes between the steering column and the rack. It is a very common problem.

Thank you, I will tell him tomorrow

He replaced it with a used one today(had to search through five cars to find one) and the problem disappeared. Really appreciate your help.