Power Steering Leak

[Omgrtfa]

hi gentlemen, i recently bought a 97 5.0 exploder for 600 bucks, knowing it had a power steering leak and a ball joint squeek.

unfortunately i tore my acl in a motorcycle accident 2 days after i got the truck.
now im stuck with a vehicle i cant tag until it passes an inspection. so this is where i need your help!!

im aware of how to fix the ball joint, but i was wondering is the power steering leak a common problem that has a common solution? the fluid is everywhere and im not in the condition to go crawling around on the ground to diagnose a leak. i heard somewhere the power steering lines are the cause of many leaks.. is this true? if i can con my room mate into doing the work for me that would be an easy fix. whats a reasonable price for the lines?

 

[firepop5]

The leak can come from the pump, the hoses or the rack. You'll have to check all 3. The hoses and pump are not hard to change. The rack is a big DIY job. Even if you change the rack, you'll need an alignment.

 

[marragtop]

Squirt everything down with some brake cleaner or degreaser and identify where the leak is coming from before throwing parts at it. It could be as simple as one of the hoses or as complex as the rack.