So I'm trying to help my friend out by getting his truck going again after sitting for about 8 years.
The truck was parked after my friend tried to play rock em sock em robots with a garbage truck and lost. Today I got the truck running which was an event in itself but after that I noticed the power steering is toast. I imagine from hitting the garbage truck. When I look in the P/S fluid reservoir I can see fluid and it is moving and it is not cavitating. is there a way to diagnose wether its the pump not supplying enough pressure to the gear or to know if the gear is dead because the impact. Im sure the gear is the culprit but its about $300+ from what I can find for a new gear so I don't want to have him buy one and then the pump was the real issue.

 

You're showing your age mentioning Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots!

Post a picture of the damage if you can. Did you check the oil level in the steering box? It could be damaged but it could also be dry and rusted after sitting for 8 years. Fill it with 90w gear oil about 1" from the top and see if you can get it to move. Is the front end damaged?