I know I have a leak related to the windshield washer fluid. There is a leak right in front of the left front wheel.
Twice in the last 2 weeks the car made a funny noise when I turned hard to the right. Otherwise no steering issues.
Today I checked the power steering fluid and it is bone dry.
Last had the power steering system serviced in June 2019.
Wouldn't you have thought there would be a decent sized puddle under the Jeep ?

 

It may be that it only leaked when actively used as in driving and did not leak while it just sat. The pump is easy to monitor, just have to pay it some attention!
Maybe get a friend to turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch for leaks under the hood.

 

Thanks for the reply,

But - as my wife points out - we get a warning light on the dash when the washer fluid is low, but not a peep when we have no power steering fluid ??

 

Check the hoses for leaks at the pump and steering box for splits or a loose connection. There will likely be some sign of a leak somewhere as that stuff tends to sit for a while. The hose at the rear of the pump can split where it is clamped, and leak. I had that with my 97. What tipped me off was the build up of dirt around and behind the steering box. It was a wet mess, like sludge. I looked it over and found that hose had split. You could always fill it up and drive a bit, checking for leaks after every drive, and hope to catch it in the act. Maybe you can figure it out in the driveway sitting still with the engine idling. Dont know.

 

X2 on the hoses, particularly the pressure hose. Return hoses are generally not a problem since there is no pressure involved

 

I'd imagine some cars now may be able to tell you about low power steering fluid and other faults but our Cherokee's know nothing about the power steering system. It sits there doing it's own thing with no electrical input.

 

Some of the early XJ Laredo models had a slew of idiot lights on the left. Oil levels etc. But none for the power steering

 

I've looked in the owner's manual - but I see no mention of how much power steering fluid goes into my Jeep.
Thought I'd pick some up at Autozone.

 

IIRC I used 2 litres last time including wasting some to flush the old out.

I then had to use another 1 litre as I left a connection loose and it went all over the floor.

 

Low power steering fluid warning was not an option on anything back then. That makes perfect sense because power steering if the era generally isn't prone to leaking for at least a couple hundred thousand miles or twenty something years. The upside is running out of fluid doesn't fry the pump if the leak is fixed right away and parts are cheap.

 

I would also watch what you put in as replacement fluid... I know a lot of people will just run the same trans fluid they do in the AW4... others will run actual power steering fluid.
Don't know if it's gospel or not...but at least for my 99, even though the manual calls for actual power steering fluid, every jeep mechanic I've come across swears by running the same recommended fluid that's in the trans.

I don't know if this is for the convenience of just using one type of fluid for both. Or if there's really a benefit of one over the other.... just sayin' what I've heard...
If someone knows for fact it's good or bad please chime in.

 

I cannot speak for the AW4 fluid, but I have had trouble in the past with foaming in auto tranny fluid. So I use regular power steering fluid and never looked back. It has a little more viscosity, which I have found in pumps with a little wear helps maintain pressure

 

Bear in mind we're talking about a vehicle at least 20 years old (mine is 33). Advanced systems monitoring then is not like it is now.

My '88 had a leak at the steering box. No puddle as it only leaked when working the wheel and that was usually driving down the road.. Finally, it was tough to turn and squealing quite a bit. Check the level, bone dry. Checked the steering box, covered in oil. Changed the pressure hose. Refilled the reservoir with PS Fluid (yes from Autozone). Worked the wheel against both stops to purge air. Topped off as needed. Done.