Dakota PS has gotten bad

My 97 Dakota has a power steering leak, to the tune of a refill needed every couple of weeks. We (like most others) have just had a cold snap, and now it's a gusher! I go thru a refill in about 10 miles of driving.

I just cannot find where it is leaking from, running or parked.

Before I simply buy a new pump, reservoir, and lines, what might the usual suspects be? Like the notorious weak front suspension parts, are these trucks "known" for problematic leaky steering systems?

My 93 was leaking at the rack

With a leak that fast you should be able to see it with a helper turning the wheel while someone looks under.

Rack and hoses would be the first thing I would check. Have someone turn the wheels all the way to one direction and hold it there, you should be able to see a gusher that size pretty easily. Gene

Ah-HA! I found that pesky [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean] leak finally! It took the fresh fallen snow to see it!

It is the PS filter (or the lines to it) that is the culprit!

If it ever gets dry enough out, I'll have a look at what needs to be repaired!

They JUST replaced that before I bought it, too...

Where is the filter located. I can't find it on my 98 Dakota? I have the 5.2 engine if that makes a difference.

On mine (3.9), it's an in-line filter like a fuel filter. The line of sight is a bit obstructed, but it's under the pump. The perfect white background made for easy viewing once I noticed the dripping.

My lines go straight from the pump to the Rack with no filter. Must have come on some years or models but not on others.

Update- I actually had an hour of daylight today to have a closer look, and I noticed that one of the clamps on the in-line filter was loose, so I struggled to tighten it (not easy access while laying on the ground). I then refilled the system and went got a Christmas tree.

While in the lot, I saw a puddle forming under the truck, so it's not fixed.

Got back home and had another look. It's actually the filter itself! As Confucius says "Part known new not part known good." It's a steel filter similar to a fuel filter, and the seam where the two halves join is slipping. I have all the new lines and parts for the truck, I'll just have to find the time to get it up on stands and replace them, not easy to do when it's dark by 5:00pm.