F150online Forums - Something doesn't feel right in the steering

When I turn the wheel to the right at low speed like turning in a parking lot I get this creaking feeling through the steering wheel, like mabye a dry bearing or joint or something - At driving speed it feels like something might be a little loose - again, feeling it through the steering wheel. I also recently developed a slight hydraulic whine that's more notable when first starting the vehicle at idle and then kinda vanishes after drivin for awhile/warmed up - but that might be a normal noise after they get a few miles - I think my 98 STX did it too but I don't remember for sure. All this started after the ticker broke 8,000 miles (it's a 03 btw).

Any ideas what I could check myself? I'm going to get a grease gun with the needle injection for the ball joints because I can't seem to find any grease fittings under there - think it could just need a good grease job? (honestly, I havn't had it greased since owning it, but only 8000 miles? my friend in his 02 dodge still has never done a grease job on his truck yet with 100,000 miles on it and no problems, lol :lol: )