Intermittent Power Steering Fluid Leak

About 4 months ago noticed PS fluid was low so I topped off reservoir. Seemed to be holding level until yesterday when I noticed it was low again. I added an ounce of AT-205 and about 6 or 7 ounces of PS fluid. Noticed the lines and the rack were wet so I took it to the car wash and washed off the rack and the hoses. After I got home I put it up on ramps. The pump and rack are dry as a bone but the high pressure hose had a drop of fluid where it’s clamped to the frame near the passenger side motor mount. Anyone ever seen a leak here?

 

I just replaced a section of the return line last week. Took me a long time to find the leak because fluid was all over the place. The split section of hose wasn't obvious until I cleaned everything really well and started prodding at all the lines. Like yours, it was also a slow leak. Ended up being behind the front grill connected to the cooling loop.

 

I replaced the rubber hoses on the low pressure side three years ago. Leak seems to be high pressure hose.

 

Question for @shifty` or one of the others. Should I go with OEM new PS hose set or aftermarket?

 

@bmf4069 and @kentuckyMarksman used Sunsong lines if I remember correctly.

 

OP have you noticed any occasional white smoke from exhaust at startup?

There is a power steering breather valve under the air intake box that can fail and cause PS fluid to leak to the intake. Will cause white smoke at startup and constant loss of fluid. Starts slow, then can escalate.

Cheap part still available OEM, I replaced mine as seen in photos in post #95 of this thread
https://www.tundras.com/threads/dri...ecial-05dc-refresh.133376/page-4#post-3406132

 

Yes sir! And they work perfect!

 

None.

 

Yep, I went with the Sunsong lines from Rock Auto. It's been holding up great, no issues. Would recommend.

 

Mine appears to be only the high pressure hose. The Rock has a Gates hose 365851 for 125 which looks good. I think I’ll try that.

 

It looks like the Sunsong pressure and return line is just $20 more from Rock Auto, why not replace both? Both of mine were leaking on my 2006, wouldn't surprise me if your return line needs replacing shortly too.

When I bought my truck, I knew it had a power steering leak, just didn't know how bad it was... I had to add fluid to it every day (about 15 miles), and the reservoir would be about empty by the time I got home.