Are these signs of my Power Steering Pump Going out?

[Solorange]

This morning when I started my car up to go to work it started pretty rough. The engine turned over just fine but immediatly as it ramps up the rpm to idle it took it a second to catch itself. The engine vibrated and shook the whole car and you could hear each cylinder move. Basically there was a lot of friction action going on (not the fun friction either ). Almost like if it didnt have any oil in it. The Car drove normal the whole 40miles to work.

Then leaving work the car started up just fine. But when I was pulling out of the parking lot I had no power steering. It took a good 30seconds for the power steering to kick in. It drove the 40miles home just fine.

The loss of power steering made me think that the hard startup in the morning was just the power steering pump putting a lot of strain on my engine.

In the driveway I was playing with the steering system and when I turn the wheel all the way to the right or left the power steering pumps squeals really loud when you hit the stops.

I checked my power steering fluid level and it is actually slightly above the maximum mark. The hoses to the pump have no signs of leaks. The belt is good and tight. The power steering pressure switch seems to be working ok too because the engine rpms increase as you turn the wheel.

Just curious is this a sign that my power steering pump is going out? If so will it just progressivly get worse? Or will it just go out all together? My car has 170k on it.

Thanks

[Solorange]

Guess nobody knows cause toyotas are so reliable uhn?

[Black Bob]

Pretty much sounds like the power steering pump and would be the first thing to check. (Not sure exactly how to check it while still attached.) The PS belt being tight and visually looking okay is one thing but the key to belts is not just outward surface cracking but the condition of the "ribbing" underneath. Did you replace the power steering belt when you had the timing belt changed?

[Solorange]

yes i did change the belts when the timing belt was changed. Its been running ok for now. Maybe it was just a little hickup. Well see though.

[Black Bob]

Hey, just thought of something, I woke up to our first frost that morning. Not sure how low the mercury dipped on you "mid-southerners", maybe your baby was just cold and just needed to get used to the upcoming deep-freeze.

[Solorange]

It could be because its been working fine since that little fit. It was cold out that day too.