hard to turn the steering wheel

Mary,

Please make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Then look along the steering shaft for a grease fitting, and grease the shaft. Check for any worn guides or bushings along the steering shaft.

Look at where the shaft connects to the front steering arms, and make sure there is nothing binding them from turning, such as packed in leaves, dirt or grass. Look for a grease fitting down there as well as the axle and where the steering arms connect to the wheels and tires.

Look at where the wheels attach to the steering arms and axles again and try to determine if there are steering bushings which may be worn out. Replace those if you have them. Sometimes there are grease fitting in this spot as well. In fact, anywhere you see a grease fitting, you should pump grease in it regularly, maybe monthly or maybe twice a year.

If there is a rack and pinion setup for the steering, lay a bead of grease down along the rack and work the steering wheel back and forth several times.

After that, as long as nothing is binding the steering, and it is properly lubed and inflated, and nothing is worn out, your steering should be back to normal.

Good Luck