Power steering question

, thought I'd post here too.

Today driving home from work, about 400 yards from the house I heard a short squeal, like something was locking up the engine and almost caused a stall. I was not using the AC today, as it was only 100F (that's warm here, not "hot"). Anyway, then it went away, and when I pulled into the driveway, there was engine vibration/noise. I came out, took it on a 1.5 mile test drive, did it again.

I remembered the thread about someone wondering about a PS tensioner nut - and figured power steering belt was first thing to pull off so I did that, took the same test drive without the belt, so "manual" steering. The noise did not return. The idler seems to spin OK when I do a hand job on it, the power steering pump seems to have some resistance when I turn it by hand, and I don't know if it's supposed to be that way.

Right now I going to cut the grass and have a fan cooling off the engine. I'll see how things feel when it cools off. My records show I got a lifetime warranty power steering pump at 143K in 2007, so 62K ago.

Any input? Thanks.

Is the belt worn enough to be resting in the bottom of the "vee", or even touching the radius? It will slip if so.
Was it tightened to where there was no adjustment left, so in essence, loose [stretched (not likely) or too long to start]?
The pump will have some resistance, it is a pump, full of liquid, but should turn although pumping, so will not be like turning a bearing.
Does the bearing (idler) have slack in it or side play. When bearings wear or get too dry, they can feel good, but freeze under heated load. Surely you have another "good" one around to try?

I don't think at all that it's a belt issue. With the belt off, the idler/tensioner pulley turns/feels fine but the pump itself feels like it has significantly more resistance than it should have.

I'm trying to remember why I replaced the PS pump back in 2007, can't be sure why. It really had to be either a leak out the seal or it seized up, so thinking maybe decent sized leak...

When you find out let us know. I hope it is something simple and inexpensive.

Check th idler pulley for the AC belt. I had one go out and it did the same thing you are describing.

I called dealer and the idler bearing is like $15, has to be ordered. Which means a congested drive cross town on a Friday afternoon to get it, parts not open on Saturday according to web site, need to check that. So I will likely just order one unless I find that NAPA or CarQuest has uch bearings. Anyone know the size O.D., I.D., and thickness?

Autozone says the warehouse/suppliers do not have either of the PS listed, no information when might be available, so they said they'd just refund my price and core charge from 2007, so I'd just get one on-line if idler doesn't fix.

Yes, idler is easier fix, and with 205K, a good idea to do first.