I have an 02 Honda civic EX Coupe and the steering feel is extremely heavy and has never loosened up since buying the vehicle in 2004. My old 99 civic had a really loose steering feel ( you could turn the wheel with one finger) and I actually prefered the loose feel to the overly stiff one. At first I just thought the car needed to be broken in, or that the tires were underinflated or maybe the power steering fluid was low... but none of these turned out to be the problem. My question is, what is causing my stiff steering problem? Anyone else notice this with the 7th gen civic?

 

Not sure since you said its not power steering fluid. As far as I recall we have hydraulic not electric power steering. Possibly the pump or pulley? Remember my sister's old Accord when the pulley went, very hard to do 90 degree turns.

 

I've been feeling the same thing in my 7th gen LX sedan. Had the system looked at the other day and they said nothing was leaking, the steering rack looked dry and fluid was topped up. he even said the tie rods were in great shape. It still feels heavy and I know for a fact that it wasn't always like this. It's more than drivable at any speed over 40km but at low speeds like in drivethrus and parking lots, it definitely feels a bit heavy for sure. I'm surely gonna go to another mechanic. pretty sure the pump is just tired and worn out after 20 years or so.