Power Steering Gear and Pump Leaks

Leaks from the power steering gear and the power steering pump may cause the following conditions:
- Fluid leakage on the garage floor
- Visible fluid leaks on the steering gear or pump
- Growling noise, especially when parking or when the engine is cold
- The loss of power steering when parking
- Heavy steering effort

Perform the following actions in order to diagnose leaks from the power steering gear and the power steering pump:
- With the engine off, wipe dry the complete power steering system.
- Inspect the components for damage.
- Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir. Refer to Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid.
- Inspect for bubbles in the fluid.
- Inspect the hoses and the pipes for loose fittings. Reset the fittings to the proper tightening specifications. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications.
- Inspect for an external leak in the power steering system. Refer to External Leakage Check.
- Test for an internal leak in the power steering system. Refer to Steering and Suspension Test Procedure.