1. A noisy power steering pump. The pump will start to whine, specifically while turning. This is an indication that the pump is struggling to move the fluid, either due to air being in the system or internal failure of the part.

2. Stiff power steering. This can be an indication that the internals of the power steering pump have failed and is no longer moving power steering fluid.

3. Intermittently stiff steering. This type of issue can be caused by a number of bad parts, but is also a sign of a failing power steering pump. If you are experiencing this specific symptom, it is in your best interest to have your vehicle inspected thoroughly by a professional.

4. Leaking power steering fluid. If the power steering pump has developed a leak, it needs to be replaced. The leak will only get worse with time, and the potential for total loss of power steering is high.

5. An empty power steering fluid reservoir with no signs of a leak while the vehicle is off. Sometimes a pump will develop a small leak that will only actually leak fluid while the vehicle is on. This is due to the pump pressurizing the system while the engine is running and not having any pressure while it’s off. If you notice an empty power steering fluid reservoir, but no visible leaks, it is best to have your vehicle inspected by a professional for the cause.

It’s important to know how to tell if your power steering is bad. We encourage you to take note of these five warning signs early on so that you don’t end up with total power steering failure. We pride

ourselves on being power steering experts. If you need more information, you can post a question in our Ask the Experts section. We’d love to help.