Heavy steering after sitting unused

[willn]

Hi folks, I know it's not ideal but my trannys been sitting on the drive for the last 5 or 6 weeks, I've just taken her out for a 20 minute drive and the steering is really heavy. Reading around, it seems there can be various reasons for this but just wondering if the fact it's sat still for a while could help in pin pointing the issue.

Also, not holding anyone responsible, but am I doing any damage by driving it?

It's a 56 plate.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom...

[ake]

Check tyre pressures
It may lighten up with some use

[willn]

Thanks tyre pressure ok. I wondered if it might loosen up, had it once before when it was left but loosened up within a hundred metres where as I did about 5 miles this time :/

[dumper]

How about undoing the rack gators and spraying some wd40 on the rack and working about and then lubricateing it with p/s oil .years ago on my mk3 camper with it been stood a lot it went very stiff a freed it off by removing the rack and doing the same but in the vice and freed off ok if the same happened on a power steering rack I'd try doing it on the van first

[willn]

Thanks for the reply and sounds a good idea, unfortunately I'm a bit crap mechanically, is there anything I can look for that would indicate it shouldn't be driven like leaking fluids, strange noises?

[willn]

Just occurred to me that for a while there has been a clunking sound when going over bumps, as it's due for a service in April I thought to leave it until then but is it possible this is an influencing factor in the steering suddenly going heavy?

[dumper]

Yes maybe bottom ball joins going

[willn]

Update- apparently the power steering belt is shredded. Thanks for your help anyway guys