Power Steering Leak for about a year ?

170,000 MILES • 3.5L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JGONZO2398
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So I’ve been dealing with a power steering leak for about a year now. In the last year, I’ve replaced the power steering pump, the reservoir and the two return hoses at the front of the engine that go directly from the pump or reservoir, it still continues to leak. I finally jacked up the car the other day and removed the tires, there’s spillage everywhere but my fear is that it’s from the steering rack, thoughts? First image is passengers side and video is from the drivers side
Jan 12, 2026 at 12:11 AM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Recheck the repaired connection and fluid level over time, using the specified level-check procedure. If leakage returns, have its origin localized before replacing the rack.

Guidance references and applicability

2CarPros: Original discussion 1711853 https://2carpros.com/questions/power-steering-leak-14260559 Source for reported history and outcome. Contributor suggestions are not independently confirmed diagnoses. Attachments were not verified. HELLA: Hydraulic steering-pump repair https://www.hella.com/techworld/en/technical/car-electronics-and-electrics/hydraulic-steering-pump/ General support for contamination assessment, specified fluid, bleeding and leak checks. Follow the actual vehicle and installed component instructions.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

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STRAILER
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Yep, the best thing to see if the rack is leaking is to pull the dust bellows back to see if fluid is present, if so this means the rack-ram seals are leaking due to the housing being worn out and you will need a replacement to fix the leak issue. Thanks for the image and video. If you need help replacing he rack let me know so I can give instructions. Ken
Jan 12, 2026 at 4:26 AM
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JGONZO2398
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So I actually ended up replacing a hose clamp on a hose that connects directly into the rack, there was lots of leakage around that spot but who knows if it’s the actual culprit. I sprayed carb cleaner all over the area and hosed it all off, that was about 5 days ago now and the fluid is still high so we will see
Jan 18, 2026 at 10:14 AM
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STRAILER
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  • 55,628 POSTS
Good call, thanks for lets us know and please let me know if that fixes it.
Jan 18, 2026 at 10:57 PM

Discussion summary

Power Steering Leak for about a year ?

A power-steering leak persisted after pump, reservoir and hose replacements. The owner later replaced a clamp at a hose connection near the steering rack, cleaned the area and reported that the fluid level remained high about five days later.

Reported outcome: The owner reported short-term improvement after clamp replacement, but remained uncertain that the leak was permanently resolved.

Referenced images and video were unavailable. No rack-seal failure was confirmed, and the cleaning method mentioned in the thread is not recommended here.

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