Ok just picked up this truck last week. 05 Ram 1500 Quad Cab,Hemi Auto with 173,000 Kms. Today I noticed a spot on the ground under the axle I'd say. Any ideas?

 

Could be a tranny leak. More likely it's power steering fluid. The hoses leak, it runs down to the rack and drips.

 

Yep, I'm thinking it's the rack...

 

My wife's 04 Dodge Ram 1500 4x2. It leak's AtF power steering fluid. It seem's to leak more in the winter then summer.

 

which makes perfect sense, as seals contract in colder weather and swell in warmer weather...

 

If you are facing the truck and its on the left side check the trans cooler couplers. If its the right side then check the PS rack or PS pump cooler clamps on the hoses as said above.

 

Seen a thread on this a while back seems when it gets cold the cooler lines leak fix is to replace the banjo style clamps with worm screw type had the same problem and was fixed by this simple and cheap

 

My vote is for power steering, as well. Mine's had a very small PS leak for as long as I can remember. I freaked out because I thought it was the transmission at first, too, but upon further inspection it was the power steering. I check it once a month, or so, and refill as needed. I've never been "LOW", and I usually don't have to add much. As mentioned, worse in winter than in summer. Makes sense.

 

Ok thanks guys. The leak is left of center,and it has turned cold the last couple of days. Did'nt notice it when it was warmer. I'll check the clamps on the ps lines. Thanks again for the help.

 

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Chrysler uses the cheesiest hose clamps I've ever seen. There are widespread problems almost anywhere a hose clamp is used, from the rack to the entire evap system. I replace a hose clamp with a good screw type anytime I'm working anywhere in an area where I have access to it...