How do you tell if the power steering pump is KAPUT?

[nestorb98]

Recently I had to replace the power steering hoses on my 1995 E420. This car always felt solid on all four wheels and was probably the best handling car I've ever had.

When I got it back from the shop the steering is not as precise as it was and I now have to thing about the car's tracking as the "feel" is not there anymore.

The only thing I can think of is that when the leak developed I had to drive around five to ten miles with very low PS fluid...could that have damaged it?

Anyone come across this ?

Thanks in advance for your inputs.