[fastfredracing]

Check the universal joint in the steering shaft that runs down to the rack . It is unlikely that a bad pump would cause a tight spot in the steering.
If you have normal power assist with the car turned on, I would be thinking that you have something binding in either the u joint, rack, or at the steering knuckles ( tie rod end , ball joint, or upper strut mounts.)
The best way to check is to dis-connect the tie rod ends, and see if there is binding there, and then dis-connect the steering shaft from the rack, and see if there is still binding.