Power steering fluid leaking?

[Wyatt]

Hey guys I noticed this problem tonight and thought I would get some advice from you guys, I have a 97 sr5 2.7 (4cyl) and was recently serviced last week by my mechanic and everything looked good as usual, but tonight when I was pulling my car out of the garage and the steering wheel just felt off and then I noticed the big puddle of fluid on my garage floor. I went out and bought more fluid and plan on filling it tomorrow to find where the problem is but wanted to know if you have any (pre) suggestions or tips when it comes to this issue. The only thing that comes to my mind is human error when my mechanic was working on it because I haven't taken it anywhere but on the road since it got serviced five days ago. Hopefully this isn't anything to serious, thanks!

 

[kball]

Did your mechanic service the steering pump at all?

 

[Wyatt]

Sorry for the delayed response but no not that I know of.

 

[kball]

I know you said the steering felt off but are you sure it's leaking from the steering and not trans fluid? Maybe from the cooler lines going to the radiator? They both take the same fluid.

 

[Wyatt]

Yeah it's steering, I took it around the block and was very hard to turn then filled it and had no problem until it emptied again, hard to see where it's coming from due to the skid plate but I called my mechanic and he said it could of been an error by them so I'm going to take it to the shop tomorrow and check it out with him. So I guess we will get to the bottom of it by tomorrow or Monday, ill fill you in. Thanks!

 

[kball]

At least they admitted it could be them. That's a good start.

 

[pinchiab]

have u checked the rack and pinion?

 

[Wyatt]

About to leave now and get to work on it, I'll know the answer later today or tomorrow hopefully.