HELP! something wrong with my steering

[T_Aldridge]

I have a 96 N reg 4.0 Chim.
yesterday morning the steering was making a high pitch winey noise when turning. Went out again yesterday arvo, the noise has gone and it seems the power steering has too!
I looked under bonnet to see the gator on the near side was not compressing properly and seemed to be full of a liquid. The off side has nothing in it and does compress properly.

Anybody had this before? If so, how was it fixed?
Most importantly though, is it still ok to drive cos the weather outside is amazing!!!

[pantani201]

T_Aldridge said:

I looked under bonnet to see the gator on the near side was not compressing properly and seemed to be full of a liquid. The off side has nothing in it and does compress properly.

The liquid is power steering fluid, sounds a s if the seals have gone on that end of your steering rack. May be repairable but I wouldnt risk driving it until looked at by a mechanic.If only for the fact that the pump will continue to pump fluid into it until there is none left in the system and this may result in damage to the pump if it runs dry.

[dodgyviper]

Would guess the PAS reservoir is nearly empty too.

One for the garage - and if the leek is v bad then I'd suggest a low loader.