What should I consider if my 2011 Acadia SL had low(but in the range) power steering fluid?

[ayarrington]

A friend of mine just helped me check the fluids in my Acadia and all were fine except that we noted the power steering fluid was a little less than 'full' on the dipstick, but still within its range. Now we'll be traveling for Thanksgiving on Wednesday(420 miles) and coming back Sunday, at which point I intend to check it again. I wonder if any of you have an 'educated' idea of why the power steering fluid might have been 'low' and or if this might mean we should have the power steering rack replaced in December(I'm disabled, can't work, and we live on pretty much a 'shoestring budget'). If you think it might need a new power steering rack, do you have any idea of about how much it costs to have one replaced?
Thank you very much for any thoughts!
-Al Yarrington

 

[ayarrington]

as a follow up to this, we just had the Acadia in the shop getting the oil changed today and they told us the power steering pump is leaking and needs to be replaced...