1997 Astro No power steering or brakes...

today i parked part way into some snow on the side of the road the plow left... when i went to leave i started it up, pulled forward a bit, and turned around by cranking the wheel and hitting the gas to slide around

after facing the direction i wanted to go i tried stopping for a stopsign and barely got the van to stop in time. then i tried backing it up so i could park and i then realized that it was very very difficult to turn the wheel.

any ideas on what might have broke?

<<edit>> its an all wheel drive cargo van if that has anything to do with it

check to see if you have any leaks first. If P/S pump is dry put some p/s fluid in it and have someone watch when you turn the wheel. If there are no leaks, i would be suspecious about the p/s pump. I'm no expert, but ive dealt with similar. I would check the breaks the same way, if there are no leaks, probly need to clean and bleed the brake system.

Hopefully this leads you in the right direction.

If your van is equiped with hydro boost, the power steering pump also provides your brake boost. I would say you have a shot pump. Replace it and all should be well

Had the same problem about a year and a half ago... was trying to do donuts (difficult with all wheel drive and snow tires) in a snow storm and found myself without power steering or power brakes. I forget now the specifics besides that the steering and brake pumps are connected somehow. I believe the steering pump feeds pressure to the brake pump. Anyway, i had the steering pump replaced and haven't had a problem since.

Yeah, There is what i think is called a "Hydro Boost Pump"... sounds like something in a video game. That assists with Steering and Braking and is fed by the power steering pump. Luckily it was the power steering pump that went out and not the other. The hyrdo boost pump was near $500 while the power steering pump was less than half that.

it's likely the power steering pump .try pulling on the pulley. mine just went and the shaft broke on the pump and you could pull the pulley with the shaft right out the pump . new pump was $65. plus tax. on an awd its a bit of a pain to replace but i have hadharder things to replace