My power steering just lost power (it also squeeks like crazy when I try to turn and lots of resistance of course) and I checked the hydrolic fluid level and it is at min or just below. I don't notice any fluid on the ground where I park daily so I assume no leaks. Do I just go to dealer and buy some fluid to top off? The manual says if hydrolic fluid below min you need to take it into the dealer but that will cost some decent $$$.

Thanks in advance for your help

newbie posting

 

If the fluid is low you probably have a leak somewhere. Depeding on how bad the leak is topping off the fluid may provide to be a succesfull soloution. One place power steering fluid can leak to without a visiable leak is out the side of the rack. It will collect in the dust boots for the inner tirerods. You can use some pliars to remove the clamp and see if fluid comes out of the boot. Another thing to think about is the fact that your vehicle has a pan underneeth the engine so fluid may have accumulated on it without a visable leak on the ground.

 

Thanks for your help dankhound.

Is it possible for the fluid to just run low because of daily use over 7 years or does a drop always imply a leak?
Just wondering if I need to bring it into the shop for repairs? Or do I just refill for now and keep an eye on it.

Thanks again

 

Its possible that the fluid just ran low. If that solves your problem there is either a small leak or no leak at all. If you have a sizable leak, topping off the will only help for a few days. A week tops.

 

See if refilling the fluid actually helps at all. If it doesn't fix the problem, you could have a bad power steering pump or some other problem with the power steering system. At that point I would get it checked out.