New 99 k2500 burban owner - help please

[blockphi]

Okay, so I just purchased my burban a week ago. It was an emergency purchase as my prior vehicle's motor seized and I needed something quick and reasonably priced. Thus the burban.

Here's the issue that I'm having, though -

When I test drove it, I noticed an extremely slight pulling to the right that was more pronounced on braking, but nothing concerning.

The engine bay was clean but not spotless and I didn't notice any leaks or drips on the under carriage.

After a couple of days of driving it I noticed a sizable fluid spot on my garage floor. Looking at the under carriage the fluid is dripping down apparently from under the master cylinder and is spraying onto the frame and into the wheel well.

There is generally a tablespoon or so of new fluid on the ground after being parked each night and the fluid on the frame is wet and fresh after each drive. The fluid is reddish in color, which makes me think it is power steering fluid.

Another issue that has started since I've noticed the leak is that the truck pulls hard to the right on braking. I assume that the pads on the left have been fouled by fluid, but haven't pulled them yet to see. It may also be a completely disconnected issue, though I think there must be some connection.

At any rate, I plan to work on it this weekend, but wanted to reach out to see if anyone has any ideas of what might be causing the issue, i.e., any known issues with the power steering system on these vehicles that I should look at first? The challenge is that I have a single vehicle and if the parts store or dealer in my small town do not have the parts, it is an hour drive to the next town that might have parts, so I want to round up as many as possible before the weekend when I start tearing into things.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

 

[irishburb94]

lines

Try to follow the pattern of moisture to find the leak. Check all your lines first before jumping and tearing things out. You could turn what may be a simple fix into a massive undertaking by going in half cocked and just pulling stuff out. These trucks are incredibly reliable with no majorly repetitive issues specific to any one area. (ie fords isssues with their steering linkages and front suspension.) Check brake lines, transmission lines, power steering fluid lines everything... I would definately check your brakes too if its pulling when you depress the brake pedal. Good luck with it hopefully you'll like yours half as much as I love mine.

 

[blockphi]

Yesterday I had a bit of time on my hands so I washed out the engine bay to make it easier to find my leak. And I found it. I'm leaking significantly from the hydro-booster. From what little info I can find online, it appears that I could rebuild it, but that most folks recommend just replacing it entirely.

Interestingly, I checked the power steering fluid level once I realized definitively that it was not brake fluid that was leaking, but rather PS fluid and the res was almost empty. I filled it up and most of the hard pulling to the right on braking was resolved. It still pulls a bit. I'm going to drive it for the next few days, checking the fluid levels every day and see if there is a corresponding increase in pulling as the fluid level drops.

I plan to replace the hydro boost this weekend. Anything I need to know about this? I realize I'll have to bleed the PS system. What's the best way to do this?