Signs of a bad P/S gear box

[Sammy]

I had previously done a frame off on the GMC. Since then I had always noticed that turning the steering wheel to the left it was just slightly harder than to the right. And as time went on it got to the point that the feel got stiffer as time went on. Not knowing if I was fighting air or a bad pump. I just lived with it. Recently I changed to a serp setup and susquently changed the P/S pump it self. And noticed just a slight improvement but still not quite right. Then after about a week I was driving pulling into a driveway (10 MPH). The gearbox locked up to the left completely. Matter of fact only movement to the left was less than 1/4 turn to the left. Luckly I wasn't doing 50 or something. I have since removed the gearbox and installing a replacement. I had never heard of this type of complete failure. Usually just a cracked case or leak. Just thought I'd pass this info along in case anyone was having similar symptoms with their power steering. This could have caused a serious accident especially since it just went from difficult turning (above normal) in one direction to a complete failure in a short period of time. Grand total of miles driven from assy to complete failure was less than 1,000 miles.