pump replacement is relatively easy to do and IIRC I think you're on a v8?
A lot of stuff needs to come off the engine to release the pump from out of there, so it's just time consuming, not hard.
If you are in neutral and rev the engine a small amount, say to just over 1K rpm, does the assistance come back? If so, then definitely the pump is shot.
Leaks are common in older versions, but once rebuilt it won't leak. But watch for hose leaking too(which can be a red herring if not understood).
Best way is to dump all fluid, as best as you can. Raise front and release the hoses from the box, and place into a container(from the pump and from the reservoir).
Turn stg wheel lock to lock(remember wheels in the air), so you don't need to have engine running and most if not all fluid will come out of the box.
Fluid will pour out of the reservoir and pump too, so have containers to catch it all.
The main hoses to and from the box are usually all good(don't perish) .. but if you need to replace the pipes off the box(no need too, if they don't leak) you should replace the o rings on them.
Hose I'd recommend to replace tho is the reservoir to pump hose(the clamp on one) .. which usually softens/hardens up at the clamp end and can leak. If this is renewed you shouldn't have any hose leaks(which is common).
The pumps do fail. Mine have.
If it's currently struggling, then it will eventually start making graunching noises as you turn too, as it wears out more and more.
New pump will make it feel like a new car!
Avoid the Chinesey types(the $100 types) they will fail. No idea when, maybe a month, maybe a year .. but will fail.
A good quality pump can set you back a small fortune for what is a relative small item.
But what you can do: buy a cheapo chinesium pump($100) and fit it temporarily. Take old genuine pump to an auto trans shop, and ask for a quote on how much to repair. Mine cost me $150. Add a couple of litres of power steering fluid, and total cost under $300.
New ZF pump could cost over $400. .. so doing the extra work can save you a small amount, and I figured that having to lose all fluid again and refill wasn't such a bad thing as it flushed any residual old stuff out again.
I did this twice on my Discos.
On the D2 v8, I had a parts car, so no need for the cheapo Chinesium purchase. Pulled the spares pump got it rebuilt, installed into the V8 .... and then proceeded to kill the V8
On my Tdi, I went the cheapo Chinesium route. I think it lasted 40K klms and then did as you described .. basically loss of power assistance. I expected as much, and put off the rebuild of the leaky original pump as long as possible(ie. I totally forgot about it)
So when the Chinesium pump died, I wasn't ready for it, but the pump rebuild only took a day or two .. so no problemo. The other issue was that where the v8 pump cost only $150 rebuilt, the tdi pump cost near on $350!(I saw the issue too tho, the pump is harder to separate than the V8 one).
Dex III is fine.
ps. I'm pretty sure that the PS side of the reservoir will pump fluid around when you turn the stg wheel.. less so(or very little) when you're not turning the wheel.
pps. the TD5 and v8 pumps are different, so make sure you get the correct one for yours.
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