Power steering noise, am I hurting anything?

[blefevre]

So my power steering has been messed up for a while. The rack leaks, and there is play somwhere in the suspension. Sometimes when I take a hard left, it takes about 1/8th turn of the wheel until the car actually turns. I have been blaming the leaky rack for a while.

My power steering pump in now making a LOT of noise at lower speeds starting yesterday.

My question is, am I hurting anything by having a noisy pump and leaky rack? Is it possible that it will seize and cause some crazy pressure build up? I just want to know if I can continue to drive with it like this for a while without hurting anything, the rack or the pump.

Also, I have new tie rods, alignment, tires, CA bushings, everything. Just haven't gotten to the rack or pump.

[jlevie]

The pump will make noise if the power steering fluid is low. If the rack is leaking, low fluid is highly likely. If the pump has run low a lot, it could now be bad. A simple workaround would be to remove the power steering belt until you can replace the rack, and maybe the pump.

Nothing dramatic should happen if the pump is circling the drain and quits. Steering effort will increase when stopped or at low speeds, like it will if you remove the belt.