Hi. My 94 Ranger has a serious leak in its steering fluid, so bad it won't hold fluid. If I fill it up, it will all leak out in a matter of minutes. I've read where often the steering fluid leaks through a cracked hose when there is such a leak, but that is not the case here. When I look under it, I can see where it is leaking. The leak is circled in the pic. I'm not very good with cars, so if someone could tell me what this is, and what type of problem might result in the steering fluid leaking from here, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks



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that is definatley not good, from the picture it looks like it is coming from the bottom of your steering gear box, if you aren't very good with cars i would suggest that you take it to a mechanic because that pitman arm is pressed on there so you would need a puller, but other than that it isn't too bad as long as you don't mind being covered in ATF

 

It is the bottom of the gear box, and as stated if you can get the pitman arm off it is not to bad. A new seal kit cost about 10 dollars from NAPA. Once pitman arm is removed you have one e clip holding in seal, remove clip and start engine temporarily. This should shoot seal out of gear box if not wiggle wheel left to right. Once seal is out simply install new seal and put clip and pitman arm back on. Repair shop will charge about 150 dollars for this.

 

So I finally took this into the shop. They said they have to replace the sector shaft, and that it would cost $450! Does this sound right, or are they trying to rip me off?

 

The entire gear box could be replaced for less than that.