I took the old steering rods off to check them and there is no spring pressure at all, they just slide in and out like there isn't any spring in there.
That still sounds normal. The steering rods are 'pull' rods, they don't push. The rods move freely until extended. That's when they bottom on a spring inside. Pulling hard on the rod further compresses the spring.
When the entire rudder system is adjusted correctly the rods end up extended and touching the springs inside. When the rudder pedals are pushed, the spring compresses more and pulls the nosewheel to one side or another.
