I know this is elementary for most of you, but................A few months ago, my power steering started making noises, so I figureed I'd check the fluid. Pop the hood and there is fluid pretty much all over the engine compartment. I hope that maybe it's just a leak, bought some stop leak put it in, topped it off with fluid and good to go. A couple months go by and fluid is low again. Again, hoping that it was just due to the leak and the stop leak needed time to work through to find the leak, so fill the fluid again. Now, yesterday, guess what??? you're right, fluid is near empty again.

Here's the question, how do I know if it is the pump or the hose that went bad? I took a wrench to the pressure hose and it tightened about 1/8th of a turn. I'm sure not enough that it was the cause of the leak.

I can do the work, my problem is the diagnosis. Any input would be quite helpful.

Thanks,
TJ