Thankfully I wasn't on the highway. It's on and off, but when it happens, a whole new meaning of understeer is born, I can barely turn at times.

Fluid level is still good (recently changed and flushed), fluid does bubble tiny bit but have not seen any loss in fluid nor puddles, tire pressure is good, power steering did whine for some time, accessory belt still in place, collapsed strut mounts which produces clanking noise (was gonna replace them this weekend). A local performance shop did say the power steering was failing and there was tiny bit of leakage near the tie rod boot of the steering rack.

EDIT: The whining stopped completely. I can make a few lock to lock turns before the steering wheel stiffens up. After a few seconds, I get steering again as if nothing happened and then stiffens up again after a few turns. The cycle repeats.

Any input?

 

definitely sounds like your power steering pump is on the way out.

 

On it's way out or already out? The lack of whining does disturb me, ironically.

 

on its way. i think not enough pressure is consistent with you not hearing the whine. i could be wrong though!

 

Check all PS lines & Hose clamps, be sure you are not sucking any Air. If you have the Pinch style clamps replace- Those clamps r terrible. I had a simalir issue, loss of stearing at low speeds every once in a while. Air was getting in to the system. I spent a few bucks on new clampls- Solved the Problem. Be sure to Bleed the system.

 

I had a similar experience. Try changing the PS fluid. my was a very dark muddy color when I did it. it's supposed to be clear red.

 

Be sure to use ATF as specified- Not PS Fluid

 

Sounds like your PS pump is on its way from intermittently failing to completely failing. Check under the car to see if there are any signs of red ATF dripping fluid from your PS system and steering rack. It could be the pump getting old and actually seizing up. Which MY car is this?

 

Loss in pressure sounds right as everyone else has pointed out.

I shall get new clamps asap! I did reuse to original pinch clamps.

I recently changed and flushed the system with new Dexron 3 fluid.

It's an 06 STI. No ATF fluid dripping underneath, and has not been so since the flush and hoses replacements.