I have a 1987 Maxima. When cold it is hard to steer and there is a grinding noise under the hood even at idle and without turning the wheel. What could be wrong?

one of 2 things either the power steering pump is going out or the rack n pinion is going out. another thing is if your using power steering fluid try a little atf to thing out the fluid

check power steering's fluid ,flush power steering;s fluid system real good,and also need check resival filter.and pump pressure when cold, its may have a bad valve. gook luck