Binding noise from struts when turning wheel

[D60]

is there any way to measure this or do you just have to use your butt dyno


Not me. I just want my steering to function correctly and stop the wandering. Didn't mention that in the original post but it did develop a wandering issue maybe 20-30k miles ago and new tie rod ends helped kinda but not entirely

Tired springs would be an eyeball thing unless you can find factory specs on ride height. Differing measurements left to right could be another obvious clue.

I know you heard noise at strut mounts but another culprit (for abnormally stiff steering in general) can be the u-joint in the steering shaft. It's probably at the firewall in the engine bay IIRC. There may also be one under the dash.