my transit vans steering is stiff?

i have a transit van (just bought it) and the steering is stiff on it, its 1999 80 S W B WITH A MANUAL STEERING RACK WITCH FEELS OK,BUT WHEN I JACK IT UP AND TURN THE STEERING I HAVE A DRY CREEKING NOISE FROM THE STRUTS COULD THIS CAUSE THE STEERING TO BE HEAVY.ANY SUGGESTIONS CHEERS ....ANDY.