Pretty old car there, Reginald, (that from a guy who drives a '79 Datsun!)
You'll have to get under there for a close inspection. Raise the car up on jack stands or blocks. Hopefully, a hose fitting may have loosened where it connects to the rack and pinion gear, and only needs tightening. Or a hose may have ruptured and will need replacing. There are two hoses from the pump to the rack, a supply line and a return line. If you see fluid on one, bend it back and forth to look for a break or leak.
The worst case would be a PS fluid seal failure inside the rack and pinion, requiring a new or rebuilt unit. Just paid $240 for a rebuilt unit for a Chrysler last year, to give you an idea.
If the fluid drips from where the rack and pinion steering gear is mounted on a crossmember right behind the engine, peel back the rubber boots on both ends of the rack gear (where your tie rods enter the rack and pinion) and check for fluid there. If a lot of fluid, the seals are bad. In that case, consider a used unit, or a rebuilt, or get used to no power steering. Good luck.
SOURCE: 2003 Ford Escape leaking red fluid
Sounds like you need a new power steering hose. To verify this, I would dry up any wet areas on the hose and pump with a towel, get a flashlight and start the vehicle and try to determine the exact site of the leak which is usually at the ends of the hoses. Good luck!
SOURCE: leak under car (front driver's side)
What is the colour of the oil? Power steering oil will be red in colour or match it with the oil from powersteering oil reservoir. Its easy to locate powersteering pump. as it is driven by drive belts. So look around it and check for leaks. If no leaks, follow the hoses as far as you can and see if you can find leaks. You can also get underneath the car with a light and try to trace the leak.
SOURCE: 2003 Taurus Power Steering Leak
check the pressure switch located on top of the rack and pinion. It will have a wire harness conected to it. It's on the drivers side towards firewal
SOURCE: steering wheel is hard to steer
Depending on who, and how they checked the pump, it could be your pump is getting ready to cost you some hard earned cash. For a car of it's age...you may wan tto try and see if you can pick up a bone yard refuse just to check tings out...then agai you ru the risk of wasting time and money that way too.
I have to differ in my offering of advise from the last person that gave you a tip.
Buy American........it could be your job you're saving.
I hope this helps you in some way, good luck from us @ FixYa.com..have a safe New Year
SOURCE: power steering leak
Depends on the part to be replaced. The pump is pretty straightforward with the correct tools and costs about $60 to $100 if you do it yourself (I own an Intrepid, similar to the LHS and I work on it a lot) . If it's a metal hose, this is going to be about $30 to $50 or more and will need a flare nut wrench, along with other hand tools. If this is attached to the steering rack, you may have to move other parts out of the way. This is not a hard job either, but could be time consuming and be careful not to cross thread the fittings.
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