Steering phenomenon (mechanical resistance)

Check the ball joints, upper and lower.

Check your u-joints and make sure you do not have the rods inserted too far into them. If so they will bind as the u-joint tries to rotate past it.

You might consider checking the ball joints. The factory ones can not be greased and if one is starting to bind up, it could cause resistance.

Thanks a lot for the replies. Checked u-joints and ball-joints and both are fine. Fiddled again with the alignment of the 2 u-joints and the angle towards the rack and it seems to be better. I can provoke the "hard spot" by pushing the steering wheel forward, that is why i suspected the spring.

Any ideas on that front?

Is the nut tight holding the steering wheel on? Look at a diagram of the steering column. Make sure nothing is missing.

Could it be that there is wear on the rack and pinion surfaces where they engage and when you push the wheel down the pinion goes over the unworn area, slightly. That would cause a tighter feel to the steering or more resistance.

Thanks again for the replys. The nut is tight, I didn't see any obvious parts missing, but I will doublecheck with a diagram.

Sorry if I understood you wrong, but pushing the wheel down, I only compress the spring and don't move the whole column shaft down, do I?

I couldn't see any wear, steering rack is a new unit from Hall.

The play in and out in your steering column is indicative of a common failure point; the plastic bushings in the upper and lower steering column. This can let the lower end of the shaft float and the u-joints feel like they bind. The vendors sell bronze bushings to insert in the column and replace the plastic.

The lower shaft slip joint also becomes loose over time and there are a couple documented fixes, but that one should not cause binding, just some slop.

Julian

If the bushings are centered, oil impregnated, hat is a good choice. If not grease the shaft and bushings with underwater wheel bearing grease which is very thick.

The bushings will last forever.

I think I found it, at least the resistance is gone now.

I try to  describe it in english, please tell me if it is not understandable.

I "degreed" both u-joints, so that they have the same angle axial. The X of the u-joints are in the same position, so when I turn the steering wheel they move synchronous.

I admit I haven't understood it fully, but it seems to be ok now.

Thank you all for your help!