I replaced the catalytic converter last weekend and since I had my buddy's floor jack, I figured I would crank the torsion bars to level the H3. Before I even did any work on either the cat or the torsion bar, I noticed some wetness around the boot closest to the engine (seen in pictures 1 and 2 below). I also had to clean up the area around the power steering reservoir because it was caked in oil about a month or so ago. Never noticed any issues until this morning when I backed out of the garage. Turning to the right felt off. Tight isn't really the right word, but it was not right. I jacked the car up and turned the steering wheel left and right and all of a sudden heard a bubbly noise and saw fluid on the ground under the passenger side. Got under to check it out and there was fluid all over the steering rack (picture 3). I wiped it up a bit before taking the picture, though. Also popped the hood and there was fresh fluid on top of the PS reservoir cap.

Anyone able to pinpoint the potential issue from the description and images below? Is it the bushing? Early searches seem to mention this as a common issue. The left (driver's) side is clean, by the way. This couldn't have been from the torsion bar crank, right? Thought it might initially but then I remembered seeing fluid around the boot area over the weekend. Maybe just exposed a looming issue? As always, appreciate all the help and suggestions. I do all my own maintenance/repairs for the most part these days so trying to also gauge whether that will be possible if I can determine the cause of the issue.


Saw this initially before I noticed any steering issues at all.




This area was covered in fluid before I wiped it up to see that tag and take the picture

 

UPDATE: I followed the first recommendation from an older thread by cleaning the area really well and I saw what I believe is the steering gear bushing looking pretty rough. Grabbed an image below. The steering assembly is new territory to me so I don't know much about it. Seems like it's obvious that it needs to be replaced but odd that something like this would be the cause of the issues. Anyone have experience with this bushing failing and also installing a new one? Can it be done with the rack still attached? That would be great if so. Although it doesn't seem to be related to pictures 1 and 2 from my original post. Not as clear on what might be causing that leak.


Ripped bushing

Also, as I was cleaning up and this little rubber piece was on the ground. No clue where it came from or what it's supposed to do. Anyone ever seen this?

 

UPDATE #2: Definitely an issue with the P/S pump and/or reservoir. Had someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while I watched and listened up front and could hear a gargling noise coming from the pump area. A little seepage around the base of the reservoir cap as well. Decided to back it out of the driveway and turned the wheel to drive forward but felt a lot of tension. Actually, any forward movement that you would normally get was restricted unless I gave it some gas. Pulled it back in the garage and opened the hood and found more fluid on the top of the reservoir.

New fluid after cleaning up previous spillage and confirming cap was tight.

At this point, I'm thinking I should just go ahead and replace the pump and reservoir. Also ordered a new steering rack bushing to replace my torn one since it was only $15 from Amazon. Should I also replace the return hoses as well? Wish the AC Delco parts were still available. If anyone has brand recommendations or tips, shoot them my way. Also still somewhat concerned with the CV axle leak from the initial post. Doesn't appear to be leaking since I cleaned the area up but I'm sure the issue is still there. I have some in/out play when I push/pull on the CV axle but I am not positive on what's acceptable and what's not.

Apologies in advance for the already lengthy thread. Wanted to document as I went along.

 

The first images were of the cv axle seal. You'll want to pop over to YouTube and check out a video on pulling the front cv axle and then pulling the seal. Not to bad to do.

The next image was of the rack bushing torn. Mine did this to and I simply order a replacement via the web. Changed it out and all was good.

 

Y’all…it’s 2:30 in the morning and I’m brushing my teeth and for some reason, I randomly thought about the transfer case. I have a two year old son that loves cars (mostly Jeeps but dad’s Hummer is a close second) and likes to get in and press buttons on the dash. Sure enough, I go down to the garage and turn the key to ON and there’s the orange light glowing on 4 high LOCK. It had been years since I actually shifted the transfer case out of the normal 4 high position so it didn’t even cross my mind to check. Drove it around the block and seems to be back to normal, although I feel like I’m being hypervigilant and noticing every single sound when I turn.

Maybe this is a lesson to always check the easy stuff first, if you can remember, before thinking you’re about to have to go swap out the entire steering component. Anyways, I hope the vets on this forum get a laugh in at my expense and I’ll keep an eye on the axle seal for any more leakage. I’ll probably swap out that bushing since Bezos already has one on the way to me. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

 

All this is inspiring, exceptionally well written! But, did your neighbor ever get his floor jack back? LOL...forgive my humor. I am new here but read many of your posts before I joined. Enjoy the Day!

 

The little rubber piece is a retention/alignment nipple from the rack bushing. You can see it in your first picture of the bushing.
It seems like my PS reservoir wants to run at a low level. If I fill it to full it overflows out of the cap.