steering pump

What symptoms tells me my power steering pump is going??
Right now the past two days, the steering is getting stiff, and seems to get worse the more I drive it.
I topped off the fluid, but does not seem to fix problem
I'll spray lube the shaft joint tomorrow to see if it makes a difference.
But how to I check the pump???
There does seems to be a slight noise under the hood, ticking
Thanks
Barry

 

And what should I use to spray the steering joint

 

Any penetrating lube will do - moovit, pb blaster, even fluid film, and if the steering feel improves, replace the lower steering shaft assembly.

The only conclusive way to test the pump is with a flow meter, and I'm assuming you do don't have one of them laying around either. I'd concentrate on that u-joint to begin with.

 

I used a spray from PB Blaster that's supposed to be used for garage door lubricant. Its a silicone film. Sprayed the joint and it was fine....for a week...sprayed it again....we'll see if it make it through the weekend. Lower joint needs replaced sooner rather than later on mine. But as for the steering, it gets real stiff and kind of goes loose and stiff as I go around turns.