Oh...one other thing I didn't mention in the original post...

A couple of years ago I had a leak at the hose leading from the power steering drive to the box. I discovered the fluid was below the dip. I added fluid as getting to the hose would have to wait. I then added some magic steering stopleak potion or lotion. It seemed to stop most of the leak and the fluid did not go down.

The reservoir also overflows at time when working the steering while stuck in snow or mud or hunting for traction. I've had this before on other trucks with no dire result.

The power steering has always seemed weak from the day I bought the truck. I always had to roll the tires slightly on pavement to crank a turn while stopped.

I also heard the same noise while walking across a parking lot and thought immediatly it was a Ford truck. It was a Taurus.

I'm almost certain it is not ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

Anyone with experience with a shot power steering pump?