Does The Power Steering Just Go Out?

[anothergoatherd]

Are there tell tail signs that your power steering is going out or does it just quit working all of a sudden?

I was driving to work and all of a sudden it was hard to turn. No whinning and I didnt notice a puddle of fluid when I left home. Im not sure what the problem is. I will check the fluid level at lunch.

I was just wondering if the pump just goes out or if you can tell when a pump is going bad?

 

[PeterLX178]

When the power steering went out in my '94 XLT, it was due to a failed belt tensioner.

 

[anothergoatherd]

I did check the belt when I got out of the car and it seemed fine.

 

[buckdropper]

Is it just hard in spots and if it is it may be the rack. I put in some lucus oil (auotzone) and drove 600 miles and it was fixed???. You drain the fluid with your wife's turkey baster and reload the lucus oil and it takes time but dammmm it worked.

 

[anothergoatherd]

Nope not just hard in spots, its hard to turn at all, when not on the gas.

At lunch I went home and checked the fluid and it was full. The belt is fine and all the pullys are turning. I just order a new pump. I hope its not to hard to change. Any hints or tips would be great.

 

[MONMIX]

Sounds like the pump has gone funky to me.
Just make sure you know how to purge all the air our of the system.

With the vehicle running, turn all the way left, hold for a few seconds, turn all the way right hold for a few seconds. Repeat. Top off PS fluid. Repeat till the fluid stays full.