Power Steering question

I don't know if anyone will actually read this thread in here, but since it is not 3kgt related I think this is the only other place for it.

The power steering belt on my wife's DD has started to squeal. It is not the belt, however. I have removed the belt to verify the P/S is the cause of the squeal, but after trying a new belt, and tightening it down all the way from loose to beyond an acceptable level, the belt still squeals. It feels as though the pump has unexpected resistance when turned by hand.

Now my question is, should I just go ahead and replace the pump? Or should I first try flushing the system with some of those P/S fluid products claiming to reduce pump squeal? I have no experience with these but doubt they would help, they sound like snake oil to me. Anyway, thought I would ask just in case anyone has had any positive experiences with these type of products. Thanks!

If you are getting abnormal resistance even by hand the bearing is going bad. You need to replace the pump before it locks up. It could cause her to get in a wreck, and I don't want that to be on anyones mind when they knew about the problem.

Thanks for the quick response and warning, I think I'll just pull that belt off until I can get a new pump. Guess she is going to get an upper body workout for a few days on the way to work...