Concerned about a power steering leak? Here’s where to find it.
A fluid leak in the power steering system can be one of the most mysterious repairs to diagnose.
Hydraulic power steering systems use a pump that pressurizes hydraulic fluid and sends it down to the mechanism that turns your wheels, either a steering gear or rack and pinion depending on the type of vehicle you drive. Since this system is fairly simple and robust, it rarely has problems. Most people never have to think about their power steering system or how it works and, if you do discover a leak, your first thought probably won’t be to check the power steering fluid level. But, if you do have an issue with your power steering pump, a leak is one of the most common culprits. While the specific cause can vary depending on the design of your system, there are 3 different places you might find a leak: