There is a noise emanating from what appears to be the power steering pump.
Are these known to be on a timed-destruct cycle like the water pump, or is
this just unlucky?  The '90 Vanagon GL has a little over 90k miles on it.

Any home tests/remedies for me to try?

bcnu - G (John Gladu)  .Opinions are just that.
Systems Support Center -- Baylor College of Medicine
INTERNET: jgladu@bcm.tmc.edu  | VOICE: (713)798-7370
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rolk    v. failure of a vending machine to deliver a
        product
rolkio  v. what you do to the vending machine after
        being rolked