Narrative:

Captain noticed heavy aileron control descending into denver upon disconnecting the autopilot descending through approximately 20;000 feet. [The captain] transferred controls to me briefly to verify. Our speed was still around 280 knots and we were set up for an RNAV Z approach to xyr. Initially the only concern was maintaining the rnp (required navigation performance) arc so we informed ATC that we would need a visual approach. As the airplane slowed controllability primarily along the roll axis worsened. The controls were briefly transferred to me several times - I would describe it as driving an old car without power steering. Perhaps not nearly as hard as full manual reversion as duplicated by a simulator; but definitely abnormal. Hydraulics indicated normal. At this time we [advised ATC] and ultimately made an uneventful landing on xyr and upon determining operable brakes and steering taxied to the gate. On base leg we got a quick call to the flight attendants advising them that we had an abnormal situation and as a precaution fire trucks would likely follow us to the gate. On final a rear flight attendant called the flight deck as she hadn't heard the initial conversation. Repeated it to her. [ATC was advised] roughly abeam the airport on the downwind leg; perhaps 5 minutes before landing. A large weather reroute had left us landing with about 5000 lbs of fuel. The weather was great in ZZZ; although LLWS (low level wind shear) advisories existed. No wind shear was encountered.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Captain reported stiff feel to the roll mode after disengaging the autopilot.

Narrative: Captain noticed heavy aileron control descending into Denver upon disconnecting the autopilot descending through approximately 20;000 feet. [The Captain] transferred controls to me briefly to verify. Our speed was still around 280 knots and we were set up for an RNAV Z approach to XYR. Initially the only concern was maintaining the RNP (Required Navigation Performance) arc so we informed ATC that we would need a visual approach. As the airplane slowed controllability primarily along the roll axis worsened. The controls were briefly transferred to me several times - I would describe it as driving an old car without power steering. Perhaps not nearly as hard as full manual reversion as duplicated by a simulator; but definitely abnormal. Hydraulics indicated normal. At this time we [advised ATC] and ultimately made an uneventful landing on XYR and upon determining operable brakes and steering taxied to the gate. On base leg we got a quick call to the flight attendants advising them that we had an abnormal situation and as a precaution fire trucks would likely follow us to the gate. On final a rear Flight Attendant called the flight deck as she hadn't heard the initial conversation. Repeated it to her. [ATC was advised] roughly abeam the airport on the downwind leg; perhaps 5 minutes before landing. A large weather reroute had left us landing with about 5000 lbs of fuel. The weather was great in ZZZ; although LLWS (Low Level Wind Shear) advisories existed. No wind shear was encountered.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.