I have a 96 Sunfire 2.2L with a power steering problem. I replaced the power steering pump because the bearings in the pump were bad, the pump made a squeling noise. I replaced the pump and everything was fine. A couple of days later my steering lines started to leak, so I replaced the lines. Now after a few minutes of running I loose power steering. I took my car to a mechanic and they said there was probably air in the line, they bled the steering system and everything was fine for about a minute then I lost power steering again. I took it back to the shop and they said they will check it further. I believe it is just trapped air, I overhead one of the mechanics saying rack and pinion, I hope that it is not the rack and pinion it worked fine until I replaced the lines. Someone please give me some suggestions to what it might be and put my mind at ease Thanks!!

First of all, you take it in to get the recall on the pinion gear? After that, I'd stick with the trapped air theory. Wheels off the ground, and with engine running, slowly go lock to lock about a dozen times. If it helps, the pump in my '96 2.2 has almost always groaned at least a little. No leaks, or poor performance. I will say that I don't have power steering; it's been more like just 'assisted' steering.