Noob to this forum trying to help my sister in law, but not new to car forums or mechanics at all, never worked on a sable before. 1999 Mercury Sable automatic DOHC V6.

no power steering assist at all, no leak, belt appears fine. she's like 5 feet tall, she needs the assist!

i'm assuming it's the power steering pump but i'm not familiar with her car at all and on cars i'm familiar with i've never heard of a pump not having any assist at all. maybe it's because she said it was making noise for awhile before it quit!

is there a filter or reservoir screen that could be clogged?
what is the huge cylindrical device that's integrated into the high pressure side hose, that's not a filter or something that can fail is it?

planning on replacing the pump but figured i'd ask first. thanks!