If a vehicle is hard to steer despite disconnecting both outer tie rods, which could be the cause?

The difficulty in steering a vehicle, even after disconnecting both outer tie rods, suggests an issue within the steering mechanism rather than the suspension components directly linked to the tie rods. A binding steering column universal joint can impede the driver's ability to turn the steering wheel smoothly.

When these joints become stiff or bind, they restrict the natural movement of the steering column, causing increased resistance during steering maneuvers. This resistance persists regardless of the tie rods' status, highlighting that the problem lies deeper in the steering system rather than in the wheel alignment or suspension related to the outer tie rods.

Other components with wear or binding, such as strut bearings or rack bushings, affect the vehicle's overall suspension and steering feel but are less likely to create a severe steering issue when specifically addressing the steering column’s universal joint. Therefore, the connection to the steering column is crucial in determining why the vehicle resists steering efforts in this scenario.