Steering wheel hard to turn

I have 2007 4runner sr5 V6 with 253,000 miles. It's a daily driver and runs good. In the last week or more I can notice the steering wheel is a bit harder to turn. The power steering fluid level was at the minimum line and I added enough to top it off. That didn't help and it seems to be the same. It's more noticeable when it's cold and the winter temperatures are frigid right now.
It's not making any squeaks or wining sounds either.

It's not leaking fluid and not super hard to turn the wheel but it takes more effort.

Wondering if anyone had this before, thanks.

 

Try squirting some lithium grease or even WD-40 on the joint on the intermediate steering shaft

 

Does it seem to be harder/easier/harder every 90°? The U-joint on my '03 steering shaft seized, and it behaved like that. I replaced the shaft, and it was good as new again.

Agreed with @Two4Runner about lubing the steering shaft.

 

steering shaft just did mine in my 2020 $300 and 1hr of work > There are some good you tube videos for it.

 

Yeah, lubing the shaft always helps.

 

That is the issue, soaked it tri flow and the steering got better. It seems to have the same resistance from left to right.