2004 Mazda 3I Tight Power steering - Please Help
 

I bought a Used Mazda 3 2004 Model Sedan 3i with 80k Miles

everything was Nice but it had a leaky power steering . My Mechanic did not get the correct Power steering hose and in the mean time, my car stalled and seized and got the whole wheel locked up and ever since then I had a very tight steering an it would lock up the steering in parking lots.

1. I replaced the power steering hose for 500 Bucks and same tightness
2. I replaced the power steering pump for 881 $ thru my mechanic and not a big change.

It still sees some tightness which is annoying, my mechanic says it should clock 500 miles atleast for the new pump to be smooth and make the tightness go away.

Did annyone face the same issue and please if you fixed it, kindly let me know if there is a solution to this problem.

Thanks,
BKS

Have you driven another 3 to compare how it is with a fully functional system? The 3 uses an electric driven pump so it's very responsive, and could be considered "tight" if you're used to a cushier more floaty steering feeling that other cars have. I'd start there before spending any more money on anything.