Been fortunate to not have had any real power steering problems with all my vehicles. But this new 83 TA the pump whines and when you turn the steering wheel at a stop, the whole tire/wheel is jerky(feel it in steering wheel some too).

Looks to have some chrome aftermarket reservoir or w/e, so idk bout the pump. Only does it sometimes but it'll have to be addressed sooner than later prob.

I normally convert to manual steering and still might(have another S10 box but need rebuilt) But i think this car won't be my normal S/S deal and i may sell it at some point, once i get another of my cars going(and swap the rearend). Should have the stuff from my other TA that I did a manual swap on but can't rem if i left it outside(got other pumps from my C3 and trucks i know are inside). Also got a parts firebird i could steal the box from, if it's that.

Anyways not sure if it i should swap the pump or box first?

 

I'd swap the pump, mine will squeal if I hold it at full lock for an extended time but no jerkiness. I'd wager the box is fine, probably just a dying pump.

 

I'd try tightening the belt at some point; without of course, prying on the reservoir, which will create leeeeeeeks. Pry only on the pump body itself or the brackets that hold it, NOT the sheet-metal reservoir.

"Whine" is usually due to a leeeeeek in the return line, allowing air to get sucked into the system. The combination of tightening the belt (without destroying the reservoir, assuming that it's not already destroyed) and fixing leeeeeeks in the return side (which could easily be due to an already-destroyed reservoir from improper prying) might just fix you right up.