After owning a few "older" Volvos over the years I recently bought a 1990 240DL that I`m having to do a few things to get it up to where I want it to be. The power steering has gone from working after a few mintutes to not working at all to-day. I`m assuming it`s the pump but before I buy one I was wondering if there is perhaps a simpler solution. The fluid level is fine and the belt seems to be tight and driving the pump as it should. I hadn`t driven the car for a couple of weeks before taking it out today, could that be part of the problem?

I agree with Philvo about the steering u-joints, they can be a big problem. Seems the bottom one especially likes to seize up. On my 87, that lower one wore right out. On my 91, they're still tight sometimes, going to replace it when it warms up.

Also be sure the AC belt isn't slipping, that's a classic problem. Hard to tighten the AC compressor properly too. I dunno what they were thinking when they designed that belt drive, but it usually works fine despite their best efforts. Chances of a pump failing when it's not low on fluid are very small.

Good luck with it.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

Lee,
Check the steering shaft u-joints,they like to bind up.You can free them up with liquid wrench or even engine oil.
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philvo '86 245 215k,'90 240 196k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k