I think the bearing on my PS pump might be going out, but what sound does it make? Its on an 83 camaro 2.8. Any help would be great.

 

Could sound like a squeal or even a grinding/rumble noise.
Use either a long handled screwdriver put it to you ear and listen to the pump or use an automotive stethoscope(safer).

 

if it goes out on the road what can happen? am I just going to lose PS, shread a belt, or something worse?

 

There are no bearings in the PS pump; only a bushing. It rarely goes bad unless the pump is run completely of fluid for a while.

If your system is whining, add fluid. If it still whines anyway, and especially if it pukes fluid out the top as foam, it has a leak in the return side; probably the return hose.

 

try to wobble the pulley by hand-if you see more than
a tiny amount of bearing play the pump is going bad.

 

Take off your belt to the ps pump and turn it, wobble it whatever and see how much play you have. Worst case it will lock on the road and shred the belt or you can be lucky like me and it breaks the bolts in the head holding the bracket.

 

glad that hasn't happened to me, I was thinking worst case was it shreads and I lose PS. Thanks for all the advice, I will pull the belt and wiggle it and run it without the belt on later this week and post my findings.