How to track down possible power steering leak

[Terrorizer]

I am currently doing the front 60k on my 91 SHO and with everything out of the way I noticed the power steering pump looks wet, there is also liquid and grime coming from under the reservoir and the rack and pinion. The problem is with leaking valve covers, oil pan gaskets and god knows what else, the underside of the car is has lots of grime and drips making it hard to track down the exact source of the leak. I don't know if the power steering pump is leaking or if its just oil from the valve covers. My first idea is to obviously tighten the lines but I'm wondering if at this point I should pull the power steering pump and inspect it with everything out of the way? Is there a common way they start leaking? Once I remove it can I inspect the seals or something? Also, the steering wheel is easy to turn left but more difficult to turn to the right leading me to believe there may be some kind of power steering issue. Thanks for any help.

 

[TwistedMunky]

I have been trying to find my leak lately. My rack is soaked, left to right. only thing I have found is that mine leaks when not running, and I let it leak out. At the bottom of the reservoir its split and the return side was empty. the side feeding the pump is full. Not sure it helps but it gave me a direction.

 

[91PDXmocha]

step 1. clean everything.

 

[Terrorizer]

step 1. clean everything.

Do you think a garden hose would get the job done or do I need to presurewash it or get in there and scrub it?

 

[riden2low]

doing a 60k on mine and my seal was leaking from the camshaft sensor area on top of the power steering unit. If you have had to add power steering fluid then I see that you would be looking for a leak. But my oil issue is from leaky seals and I know the previous owner had not changed out the valve cover gaskets as I have found oil in the around the spark plugs, so thats next on the agenda. Simple Green is good for cleaning

 

[Terrorizer]

I found one of the leaks. The smaller of the two hoses that connects to the power steering resivor seems to be leaking where the hose connects to the resivor. The clamp seems tight but i can rotate the hose back and forth and there is a hex head in between them. I don't know if there is a bad o ring or something? There is some rubber sticking out.

 

[Terrorizer]

Anyone?

 

[Janice]

My understanding is that the return line you can replace with any hose that you would use for the tranny and new clamps. The other line goes to the power steering pump and can be replaced the same way. It is the the line going to the rack from the power steering pump that is different and that you need high pressure hose for. That is the only place that you need o rings.