I posted a day or so ago about this, but have some more info.

My 240 GL has worked flawlessly since we bought it in Jan. 2006. Tight steering and handling. It's developed what I would call a "spongy" steering problem.
It definitely makes it less safe to drive in the city. On the highway, where you don't have to make much of a motion on the wheel, it seems fine.

There is definitely a moderately loud whining or screaming sound when the wheel is turned to the extreme right or left. It also makes a less noticeable, but not normal, whine when turning from the center point.

It seems to still give irregular and erratic power assist. It's almost worse to have that, than to have nothing at all... consistency is something to be desired in steering.

I've been told, in a reply to my previous post, that this could be caused by a loose harmonic balancer, whatever that is. Seems iffy to me.

Could it simply be a pump failure? If so, is it safe to drive long-distance? We are moving from Chicago back to Minneapolis, and I am hoping to get it to my regular mechanic there.

I plant to try bleeding the automatic steering fluid (really ATF fluid?) and replacing it.

Any suggestions welcome.