Power rack-and-pinion

[ERASER5]

I'm starting to have some steering issues in my Durango. Yes, I do drive outcast vehicles. It's 2000 with low mileage. The fluid is correct. There is no visible leakage. When cold the steering is stiff through out the range, but after driving awhile, the center gets to normal, the extremes are still stiff. I mean you have to pull for a hard left or right. If the pump were bad, wouldn't the lack of power always be across the board?

My thoughts are the rack, but I have no real experience with rack steering problems.

Any thoughts?