Driving home in bumper to bumper traffic on I4 today. Suddenly I hear a faint buzzy whining noise coming from the engine compartment. Finally get off the interstate and notice heavy steering and loud whine when turning. Great. Sounds just like every Foxbody I've owned.

Pop open the hood. Cap is still on, but it looks as if fluid spewed from under the cap. It is pretty dark, but from what I can tell no lines have blown. Powersteering level is a bit lower, but still within manufacture limits. I still have some power assist, but it is now very numb, relatively jerky, and a bit harder to steer. Any ideas what could have caused this? I'm thinking the power steering pump is failing, but I've never experienced one go out like this. Usually they deteriorate over time, not just go out suddenly one day.

Thanks for the help.