True Connections

It sounds like there may be air in the system or your pump is failing. First thing is to check the fluid. What's the fluid level? Is the fluid frothy? Has the system been opened or changed recently (i.e. hose or fluid change)? Next I'd probably check your hoses just to make sure there is no blockage or leaks. If it all checks out, you'll probably need a new pump.

There was air in the system, so I hope that was it. Can't see any major leaks, but there is always a teardrop on the pitman arm, so it could be the seal. Hoses seem fine connections tight and no sign of seepage. Fluid not milky. I got the front end off the ground, and worked the steering lock to lock manually without the motor running. There was a bunch of good size air bubbles came up and the fluid was being pushed up and out of the filler spout. Maybe my son let the fluid get too low, and it got ingested into the pump. Is that the correct way to bleed it? It's been ok since then, but I am still leery. I am checking the fluid level every trip. If it does it again, and I live to tell the tale, I will change the hoses or maybe the whole lot, pump, gearbox and all.

Yeah, that's how you do it. Just raise it off the ground and go back and forth until all the air is out of the system. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, sounds like it was an air problem.