Since purchasing my '85 DL wagon two years ago, I have thought that the power steering was not performing as it should. My suspicions were confirmed about a month ago when the power steering began to become progressively worse. Up until then, the degradtion of the power steering had been gradual and therefore, not readily noticeable. It is now to the point where I'm going to have arms like Popeye if I don't repair it quickly. The car drives as though someone had removed the power steering pump belt.

A quick inspection has shown that the belt is properly tensioned, and the pump merrily spinning. I have yet to perform an exhaustive analysis by disconecting the hoses at the steering rack to confirm whether it is the pump, hoses, or rack that have failed. But given the car's age, I am assuming that all three components need to be replaced and therefore, have started purchasing parts as I can afford them - a rebuilt pump is already on the way.

Has anyone else experienced a power steering failure such as mine? Or is there a steering component that typically fails on cars of this vintage? Just curious...

Tony Fontaine