no powersteering or brakes... again

[rancherman]

The '00 did it again this week, no powersteering or brakes. (below ~1500 engine rpm). This is the 3rd time it's done it since FiL bought it 10 years ago. Dealer bent him over both times..... I guess it's my turn!It's got the typical seep at the steering gear, and takes about a quart a year to keep it topped off.. I do have the seal kit onhand.Before I attack this problem, is there anything to check before swapping out the pump? It doesn't sing or whine... and yes, it's full of fluid. Is there a inline filter somewhere to check?The last one was replaced because it doing the same thing, AND it was putting a ton of air in the fluid. almost pure foam... and very noisey.Is there any rebuilders to stay AWAY from? And, is this a typical problem? have about 180k on the truck now.

[rancherman]

I put a Cardone unit with the internal magnet filtration. I got it through rockauto. I think I remember why the second unit failed so quickly... The dealer put a new pump on it about 2 years ago, and after I drove less than 30 miles back to home, the new pump was out of oil!... which I just happened to have a spare quart onboard.turns out, the rebuilt pump came without the 2 mounting bolts that holds the pump into the reservoir... just has plastic plugs (which DON'T hold oil very well...) I can only figure the lack of oil shortened it's life!The dealer wasn't too worried, it was working fine AT THE TIME....I didn't make that same dumb mistake! I think the pump cost me $55.... and about 2 hours time to R and R. I did the vacuum pump-with power steering pump-as-a-whole... timing case-to-pump gasket was reused...