PS Fluid froth
 

What causes Foaming of Power steering fluid?

The pump will cause it to foam up, its being pressurized and pumped through and returned back into the resivor. Plus its a thin oil simular to ATF

Well, often, low on fluid and drawing air. Moisture can cause it. Might try flushing/refill the system with fresh fluid. Over time the additive package in oils will breakdown and become less effective. The anti-foam agent might be getting depleted.

This is also coupled with the typical dry gear sound, although there's fluid. I have a pump to replace it with if it's toast.

are any of the components leaking? Feed and return lines, box?

There is a filter at the bottom of the tank, that can be changed when you change the fluid.

I'll be taking a closer look at it tomorrow..I can replace the entire steering system if I have to... (damn I love having a parts car :)

ya, pumps gonna sound noisy trying to pressurize aerated fluid because its cavatating. It could be drawing air in from somewhere. Could verywell be a bad pump too, but rule out the small things first. Make sure nothing is leaking, its full, proper fluid type and of good condition. Would prolly be a real good idea to put a new filter ring in it, mounted in the resivior. If its too fouled and pores clogged, the pump will strain to get fluid and can draw air/cavitate. ;)

Might as well use this thread:
 

I've been looking up steering related posts, and I see alot of instances where the steering gearbox itself has come away from the frame..

My question. is it a bolt and nut combination? or a bolt with blind captive nut?

Im afraid i dont know on that one, this is an issue on BMW's too (ima bimmer tech) Maybe someone elses knows that one? Shouldn't have any interaction with your froth issue that i can think of, less its flexing enough to let air past a seal or bending a line? But a loose box will have a clunky knocking noise. ;)

haha clunky knocking sound...like two metal bars coated with plastic clanging in my steering column? do I describe it well? LOL :P got that too...I'm really gonna look at it tomorrow..

If you get that clunk when rocking the wheel back and forth, it could be the flex coupling, or loose tie rod ends..... Check it out soon!