First off, I did a search and didn't find anything like my problem.

I just did some rock crawling this weekend and towards the end of the day my steering started making a squeaking noise. This became progessively worse and now the steering "sticks" in certain spots. Having the truck on/off has NO affect on this condition. The truck was properly aligned and had newer steering parts (from IFS box to axle). I believe the problem is somewhere from the firewall to the steering wheel. It kinda felt like the shaft was rubbing against the inner wall of the column, but I haven't taken it apart to confirm. I just curious on if anyone has had this problem or might know what it could be before I go ripping half my dash apart.

 

check for a busted steering damper frist. un hook that and see if it goes away. get under there and have someone move the steering lock lock and check for binding. just because they new parts don't mean they aint broke.

 

Mine did that when I bent the steering relay rod (right after the recall )

 

Mine did that.

Turned out the idler arm was bent up into the frame. If its sticking, check the frame by the idler, and the idler itself. If its hitting, you'll see fresh marks on the frame and arm.

Good bet you need some brass bushings.