Steering fluid leak when turning wheel all the way

[masq]

I always thought I had a very slow drip of Pentosin which caused my tank to dry up every month or two, but I finally found the issue. It seems that every time I turn my steering wheel all the way to the left or right, the fluid just starts pouring out from underneath. No wonder I would smell something sweet burning every time I would parallel park...

Any idea what would cause this? I recently had the expansion tank replaced due to a small crack (probably contributed to the leak). Is there a fluid return hose anywhere that bleeds fluid in to whenever you build pressure in the pump when turning the wheel all the way? Maybe a hose like this wasn't reattached properly after servicing...

[Loren]

Where is the leak near the engine or front of the car?

[masq]

It's at the rear. The fluid puddles directly below the power steering pump/tank area.

[KevinMac]

Well, you will have to do some diagnosis, since it could be a seal in the pump, or a hose. Turning the wheel is what builds up pressure, so it stands to reason that turing the wheel will show up the leak.

[masq]

Well the main question I have is if there's some sort of a return hose that I should be looking for that may have been left disconnected. Pressure builds in the pump, bleeds off the fluid, and a hose cycles it back in to the fluid tank. From the amount of fluid pouring out when pressure is built up in the pump, I figure it may be this type of a return hose.

I already tried pulling the air box to see what I can find with no success. I think it would just help if I can get a little guidance on where to locate these components...

[Loren]

Yes, there is a pressure line (item 8) and a return line (item 9).

[masq]

Thanks Loren. That diagram really helped.

It turns out that the very bottom hose clamp of the return line is leaking like a faucet when I put full pressure on the steering pump. Looks like a trip to the stealership to get this thing replaced, and I'll be good as new.