Power steering or Vacuum pump Blew?

[frank1]

Just went out to run a quick errand, and the power steering was making a humming sound and very hard to make sharp turns. On the way back home, the power brakes are harder to push down and the truck does not stop as good as before. Looks like power steering fluid leaking underneath the pitman arm and fluid is about half way up in the reservoir. The truck I'am referring to is one of my 03's w/ auto trans. Truck has 137,000 miles on it. Where and how do I figure out what is going on? Also, I do plow with my trucks. If a new pump is needed do I go with another OEM pump or aftermarket to help with the added weight of the plow?

 

[jelag]

Your power steering is powered by hydraulic pressure from your power steering pump... . I can only assume it supplies pressure to your hydraulic brake booster... have you checked the oil in the unit... . is it low on oil... has the belt tensionier failed and there's not enough belt tension to spin the pump... (belt slips)... if all of the above are fine. . I would think the pump has failed...

I flush the power steering unit and than refill it with the proper fluid... I usually do this 2 - 3 times in the life of the truck...