Power steering help... pls..

sounds like the pump. Make sure when you replace the pump you flush the old power steering fluid out or your pump and rack won't last.

ditto same happened to me a few days ago, also not quite sure i agree with the beating of mustangs

uhh prob around 80-90 bucks for a used one i think, and maybe and hours worth of work, so prob around 180-200 dollars depending if you shop around

I would put money on it it's the rack and pinion. The pump is working fine. Otherwise why would it turn one way fine and the other way not at all. There are internal seals in the Rack and Pinion and there are also valves, so when you put pressure to the wheel, it opens the valve and fluid enters that side of the rack, pushing it the way you want to turn the wheel. Either the valve is bad or the seal, more like a ring, inside the rack is gone, like a piston ring blown out, it holds no compression, so flid just bypasses to the return line.

Wait, You did say your pump is whining, maby it is time to replace the pump as well. When the pump starts whining alot, it ususally means it's internally comming apart. It could be a combo of the two, but I am still betting on the rack. It will send matalic substances in the fluid which will eat at the seals and valves in the rack. Your suposed to flush your P/S fluid, even though the dealer doesn't say this, it gets old and dirty too.

Go manual rack and never have this problem again!!!

I'm with 90 - if it's displaying different symptoms on left and right turns - I'd suspect the rack/pinion more than the pump. I bought a rebuilt pump at Autozone for $46. Rack's are much more expensive. I suspect this has more to do with your drunk (sorry - somewhat sober) friend driving it over curbs and such; and you were probably too drunk to accurately remember, so no debates on that front.

I'd have the car put up on the rack and good close look taken at the front suspension. If he drove it the way you say, there may be other problems as well - look for bent/broken stuff in the front end - wheels, tie rod ends, etc.

You get credit for fessing up to what really happened - and you get the lecture. Had a good friend killed by a drunk driver - not a lot of sympathy or patience for people who drink and drive. Good luck with getting it fixed. And next time you party, use a taxi. It's MUCH cheaper for all concerned.