2001 a4 audi steering is tigth - 2001 Audi A4

Sounds like a rack. Check for leak or poke hole in rack boot to see if its a hidden leak. Two racks available for that year.....not interchangeable. Look from underneath for label to see if you have a ZF or not. There will be a tag on the rack. Not easy to find sometimes.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/howard_977676954994c5b2

Do you mean hard to steer your steering wheel?
If you have a noise when you are turning your steering wheel, you may have low power steering fluid. Add power steering fluid into your power steering fluid reservoir to the level required (check with your manual book). Make sure you get the right power steering fluid for Audi A4. Hope it will help