Volvo Repair: Hard steering, power steering stop leak, dick dick

Question
Hi Roger,
I have a 1987 740GLE, when I got it 1 1/2 years ago the steering was OK to the left, but the first turn of the steering wheel to the right was hard then OK the rest of the way. Now it turns hard both ways. I noticed fluid was thick and silver. I siphoned all I could from the resevoir and added new fluid. Steering was a little easier. Why was the fluid so thick? Internals of rack getting chewed up? Any ideas?
Thanks,
Dick

Answer
Dick, There are a few things to check.  First check to see if the steering knuckle that connects to the Steering rack shaft looks rusted.  Also, there isnt a way to check this without taking it apart but the upper strut mount has a bearing inside that wears out and that can cause the stiffness and 3rd the actual rack is worn.  If its an original rack then it has served the car well.  I dont have an explanation why the fluid it thick.  Someone may have put power steering stop leak in the system before you got the car and that is pretty thick stuff.  Hoped this helped.  Roger