I have a 1997 Infiniti I30 143k miles and the steering wheel is difficult to turn.?

[lsn2npr]

It does it first thing in the morning when it cool out or if its been sitting a long time and its cool/cold out. Also, its only difficult when making turns around a corner, not slight turning like when driving on the road. The difficulty feels like a stutter, not a constant force. I don't hear any noise except the squeak you hear when you turn you wheel all the way to one side or the other. Also, I've changed the power steering fluid as well. Everything else feels find. One, one more thing, and i don't know if this is related or not but i went to get an alignment done and the guy said there was no point b/c there was something wrong and it would just go back to pulling to one side.

 

[bwbags]

Have you checked your strut mount bearings? They are under the strut mounts and on top of your coil spring. That could cause problems - hard turning, sticky turning, etc.

 

[bossbrakes]

Steering

Two things;
First do some rudimentary checks.
Open the steering reservoir and check for fluid. If empty refill. Also if never changed, it needs to be changed.
Sounds like it is loose. Check the drive belt, it is separate from the "fanbelt" and not easy to reach.

If all is OK. All Nissans with 150,000 miles plus have that sort of problem sooner or later. Steering pump or rack needs to be replaced.