Not sure if you have the surging in an out problem at all Brian, but most people, including myself report the steering getting gradually heavier before surging in and out. Would be very rare on such a low mileage example as your new one is I'd imagine but you never know, all you need to do to check is jack up the front 2 wheels and try turning the wheel by hand. Should turn with relative ease.
FYI for anyone who ends up at this thread in the future with my issue, check out this thread on replacing the lower steering column (there's nothing on aulro).
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Steering stiff - New lower column fitted with guide
I've just ordered a new one, it seems quite common for my mileage and although I could probably unseize the one side that's stuck, it's not something I want to break in the middle of nowhere so better to be safe than sorry with such a critical part!
