Since there was no resolution to this thread in 3 years I would like to jump on and ask a question about my 08 Limited with 79K original miles. I have a pretty bad power steering leak, at least now I do. I am doing brakes and other simple repairs, but nervous about this. I first noticed the leak a couple months ago when I started up the truck after my son had been driving it and I heard it whining. I checked the PS and it was a bit low so I filled it up. The whining stopped, but after a few days the pump was low again and I could see fluid on my gravel driveway, but couldn't really get a good look at where it was coming from. So I had an oil change appointment coming up at the Ford dealer on June 20 and I asked them to check the leak while it was in. They called me at work and told me that it needed a new PS pump, new pressure lines, new return lines and a new steering rack and it would be $4000. I of course nearly fainted from that news. I asked if all of those things absolutely had to be replaced because I am not able to deal with that figure. He said he would call me back. He called me back about 20 minutes later and said that he spoke to the tech and I could probably get away without replacing the rack so the bill would only be $2100. He said it would be ready by the end of the next day. The next day I called in the afternoon they said the parts just came in and they would be working on it and it would be ready the next day. The next day this is now June 22, They call me and tell me that they got the parts, but Ford sent the wrong pressure line and so they checked for the proper pressure line and it is nationally backordered and they cannot complete the repair without it. They said that I had to pick up the truck, pay for the parts and then when the correct part comes in I bring it back and they install and I pay for the install then. So I picked up the truck, paid $1500 and took the truck home where it sat in my driveway for a week while I was away on vacation. When I returned, I took the truck out where I was doing some carpentry work and had all my tools in the back and this was about 20 miles from my house. When I got there I noticed that the power steering was whining again and I checked the fluid and it was almost empty. There was fluid all over inside the engine and radiator. I filled it up before I left to go home. On the way home about half way I noticed the whining again and again stopped to fill the reservoir. I got home and parked the truck and it hasn't moved since. Looking under it you can see fluid everywhere and it is noticeably leaking at the hose connections. Clearly it is leaking worse now that the dealer took it apart. I did not hear back from the dealer again since I paid the $1500 and took my truck so last Tuesday, July 11th, I called to see what the story is and if they can't get the part can we have it made, use aftermarket or even used if we have to? Same rep I had been dealing with tells me he will check on it and get back to me. Today is the 19th and I still have not received a call back and I think this is outrageous and my truck is sitting in my driveway leaking as we speak. I am getting quite upset about this and am looking for suggestions on how to proceed. thank you very much for listening.
Have someone turn the car on and turn the wheel. Its the easiest way to check for leaks
