HELP!!!! Problems with 2007 chevy silverado?

[SamH fsu seminole]

I have a 2007 Silverado with 38,000 miles give or take. my problem is that recently I have noticed when I turn my wheel to make a sharp turn for example a u turn I hear a cracking noise that sounds like it coming from my front left tire, also in the past week or two my steering wheel has lock up twice while making a sharp turn, which is fixed my putting my truck back in park and restarting the engine. to add to this when I do turn my wheel I start to hear a grinding sound. Friends have suggested power steering fluid. I my self know how far you get in life when trusting think they know it all friends that took apart lawnmowers in there garage and suddenly became master mechanics. Please help!! Need reliable sources