Hard Power Steering

I recently have transmission worked on from a repair shop and after
that steering feels a bit harder than before. By harder I mean to steer
(to right or left) I have to 'grab' the wheel to turn. I checked the
power steering fuild level and its OK. I don't know when the steering
fuild was last changed.

Its a used 1996 civic with 212K km on it. Any handy tips that I can do
myselft to know what might be causing the problem? Thanks in
anticipation.

R

 

suspect the bottom swivel joints were not seperated with the right tool
and they're now siezing up. that can lead to failure and this kind of
problem:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/lowerballjoint/index.html

 

Thanks Jim. Actually they said steering problem does not make sense
with transmission repair. This will help me arguing with them.

 

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A couple other random thoughts. Raise tire pressure to 30 + and be sure
they didn't leave your PS belt flapping in the breeze / greasy (tho
you'd probably hear that by now).

'Curly'

 

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Another thought. You hope they didn't add non-Honda fluid to your Power
$teering . . . . . Jim Beam's answer is probably the correct one.

'Curly'

 

No, I did not hear any flapping noise so far. And they haven't changed
or added anything to my other fluids. If Jim's answer is correct, how
much it might cost me, approximately? The link to tegger.com says "It's
a small price to pay, believe me". How small is the "small"