I want to take my mini in for the power steering recall, but Im worried theyre going to tell me its fine and charge me diagnostics, Obviously somethings wrong like its tighter than any other mini I drove, especially when I'm not moving. Its hard to steer. Is there any other tell tale signs of this?

 

Sometimes the U-joint is the issue (down by your knees)....
The pump is not the ONLY thing that fails....
When the pump fails...it usually stops running...so you will not hear it.