Hello, I'm new to the forum and I don't know much about Mechanics, but want to learn some basic repairs. I am having an issue with my 96 dodge 1500 leaking power steering fluid. Where should I start?

 

Welcome to DF
First you need a 2nd person and clean the area that maybe leaking, then fill the p/s unit and have the 2nd person start the engine and turn the steering to a lock position. Its either going to be a pressure hose, pump or sector shaft seal on the steering box. I'll move you post to the 2nd Gen Ram section. You may get more answers to your question from that section.

 

Likely your steering box is leaking from the pitman shaft seal, the area where the steering box is connected to the pitman arm...thats the most common leak spot anyways. My box has leaked from that area for a while, I just fill it up every once in a while because I dont care to fix it. Can you see where its leaking?

If its one of the seals on the steering box itself then its highly recommended to just replace the unit with one from either RedHead Steering Gear or Borgeson. Rebuilt units are usually a waste of money because they end up failing again.

 

Welcome to DF! Start by identifying where it is leaking from. Hose? Pump? Reservoir? Steering box? Open the hood, crawl under, etc. Like is said, clean the area first then start looking. We also ask all new members to please read this:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...new-topic.html

 

like everyone else has said, clean area first then inspect for leak.

mine is actually leaking from the pump housing, must have got bumped hard during the motor swap