Installed reman power steering pump. Pump is now quiet but power is now intermitent and at times very difficult to turn. I drove it quite a bit purposely making tight turns but still feels as though perhaps air bubble is in system???

Either the belt is loose or pump is going bad v

Many new power steering pumps will exhibit a whining noise for a time after installation. Some won't. Typically, they quiet down within 2-3 weeks once they break in a bit. If the new pump is doing its job and not leaking and the whine is not more like an ear-splitting shriek, just wait it out and see what happens.

I am a good tech also.. 40+years.. I am retired and only work on my cars and poor people cars who cannot afford to have them repaired. (for parts cost only) I had a similar problem with a master cylinder.. Could not get it to make pressure.. after 3 "rebuilt" cylinders and about 1 gal of fluid.. i finally took one of the "rebuilt" cylinders apart. one of the seals on the piston was not installed it was there just not around the piston.. drove me crazy.. took a second one apart and same problem.. this was one of the biggest reman companies in the US and i always use their parts.. I was very dissapointed with their quality on this part. Had another issue with a rack and Pinon.(mitsubushi car) Steering was going bad slowly Harder and harder to steer.. I replaced the pump.. did not fix the problem.. customer drove car for another week.. pump locked up and broke the belt.. car not running the pump was turning free.. This person had NO money.. so i went to pick a part and found a rebuilt rack that looked like it had just been installed ( same Manufacture as in ill fated MC ) I took it and installed it.. cured the problem.. very little cost.. the rack has a valve that allows right or left assist depending on the position of the shaft.. one of these valves had been going bad slowley..and finally failed.
Hope this helps.or at least sets you on the right course..

You could have a leak in the lines connected to your power steering pump, or your pump could have failed all together, or the cables that run the pump could have snapped. Hopefully though you just have low power steering fluid levels and you can just buy some and fill the reservoir back up.

I would look elsewhere in the hydraulic power steering system for where the metal flakes originated.

power steering fluid does NOT go anywhere near the boot.but when you fitted a new rack did you turn steering wheel fully left and right several times to prime the rack and then check the fluid.....half a quart is a lot of fluid to add to the system (change your mechanic ASAP)MY BICHON COULD DO BETTER....

Check your Power steering fluid, lines, and pump. It sounds like your pump is going out, however, check the lines before hand to make sure you haven't just lost the pressure.

You can do one of two things: the easiest of the two is to replace the p/s pump assembly with a reman unit.
The other way is to install a pump reseal kit. you'll have to dissasemble the pump to install a series o-rings and the front pump seal. This can be quite difficult. I recommend getting a service manual to help you with this process.

I had the same problem, there is a cooling fan for the power steering pump that went out and caused some damage to the pump. The intermitent problem finally got worse and I had the pump replaced read: expensive about $1000. See if they have a rebuilt pump available.

Look at the amount of power steering fluid in your power steering pump.
If it is low, then add until a normal level.

If you don't know how to check or add fluid correctly get help in doing so.

If this does not help, then have the Power Steering Pump Tested by a mechanic.