BAD Power Steering Squeal. Help!

[absentmathis]

I've noticed my power steering has always made a good bit of whiny noise which seems pretty common. But lately it has started abosolutly screaming when the wheel is turned to lock. Of course I checked fluid its fine...is this my pump going bad? Im not really sure how long its been like this, I try not to turn the wheel to lock unless I have to. It doesnt sound right, but could this noise maybe be the belt slipping? The belt is newish, but Im not sure about the tensioner.

[Pilgrim]

Sure sounds more like belt or tensioner. If your tensioner is about to lock up, it will take the belt with it and you'll be stranded. Check that tensioner with the belt off, and do it right away. If it doesn't turn like silk, replace it.

[lilmanmgf]

When I first bought my car the pump was going bad. I replaced both pump and fluid. The dextron 3 had changed from red to a murky brown. The pump costed about 100 and all my problems when away. Install time was probably four hours, but it was my first time working on my car.