For a while now my steering wheel tends to get very "tight" at times, usually when i first start up and drive then later on it seems to loosen up. Basically it seems like the power steering is working intermittently - if it were not working at all my step van would be almost impossible to steer so it must work but it goes on and off. The brakes work fine, though, which is strange because they run off the power steering pump, so i don't know if the pump is the problem. I was going to replace it in the winter but then the problem seemed to go away for several months. There is plenty of fluid in the pump and it does not make that whining sound that a failing pump often makes.
Could it be caused by anything else other than the pump? Or is it just how these pumps go out? Why would it not affect the brakes though, anyone know?
thanks,
Paul

It sounds like the pump. My brothers when first started, does the same thing, brakes work fine but power steering is stiff, give it some juice and she's good. He doesnt' care but if it was mine, I'd put a new pump in.

mine was like that prior to my engine swap during which the pump & pipes were all removed and cleaned, put it back exactly as it came off and now it's fine so could be down to bad fluid. I also found you mustn't get the two return pipes on the wrong way around as it cause the resevoir to froth up.

The power steering pump on my truck did the same thing for a long time and then it finally started really acting up. Every now and then the power steering and power brakes would just quit working entirely and then come right back to life. I didn't really care so I kept driving it. Then one day the pump siezed... When I did replace the pump (I took the belt off and drove it that way for a while first - I'm very reluctant to replace parts ):h) the power steering and brakes worked much better than they ever had.

If it were me I guess I would replace the pump...