Power Steering loss

sfexeter

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2021
Messages
74
Location
SF Bay Area
Ran the Rubicon Trail for the first time over the past two days. Intermittently I would lose power steering. At first I thought maybe my front locker was failing to disengage, but it became clear that it was the steering. I had no leaks in the lines, and the fluid level remained constant (correct level). Any thoughts on the culprit? Steering box? Pump? Should I just upgrade/replace the whole system? It finally completely gave out on the way home from the trail (steering without power is no fun off the highway).
 
I took a look at the fluid and while its at the proper fill level its murky. Looks like muddy water, does this indicate anything other than old fluid?