Can anyone describe the symptoms of of a dieing or worn power steering pump? I have had a steering pump fail on other makes of automobile, but they were all sudden catostrophic failures...not a slow lingering death. my steering creeks and groans through the steering column and can be felt in the steering wheel. I have always thought that the car had rather stiff steering and from what I can tell this is the original pump. about 5,000 miles ago i replaced my steering boots and there was no leakage there. the fluid is rather dark and there is obviously a leak at the reservour...i installed a magnet on the dipstick and periodically clean it off...no big pieces or anything, but a very very fine dark powdery grit can be detected. do volvo pumps die regularly? is this unheard of? the car has 355,000miles on it. any input is appreciated