Chevrolet Repair: Coolant in Power Steering Reservoir, power steering fluid, oil starvation

Question
Tom,

I have a 1999 Suburban with 210,000 miles.  I have just recently replaced the radiator,  due to multiple leak problems.  Prior to that,  I have also had problems with Power Steering fluid going low and having to add fluid every three or so weeks.  Yesterday,  while out on road,  I could hear a clanging noise which i thought sounded like maybe a stick had caught under the hood and was being struck by the fan.  Inspection showed that fan area was clear,  however,  in checking the power steering fluid,  I noticed it seems to be filled with orange coolant from radiator and my radiator level has gone down.  Is there a seal on the back side or under side of reservoir that connects to the block which may have gone out and needs replacing?  I suppose that if so,  this will necessitate P.S. pump replacement as well as that may have been the clanging sound I was hearing yesterday.  Thanks for your replay.

Answer
HI DAVID, I THINK I GOT SOME BAD NEWS FOR YOU. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DOES NOT GET ANYWHERE NEAR THE COOLING SYSTEM.. THE PUMP IS MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF ENG BLOCK THEN THERE ARE 2 HOSES THAT GO TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. ONE LINE IS THE PRESSURE SIDE AND THE OTHER IS THE LOW PRESSURE RETURN SIDE..NOW ON [SOME CARS AND TRUCKS] THEY HAVE A P/S COOLER,BUT THIS IS JUST A SMALL LIKE RADIATOR THAT FLOWS [P/S OIL ONLY] TO COOL THE FLUID OF COURSE...THE P/S SYSTEM GETS LOW BECUASE THERE IS MORE THEN LIKELY A SMALL LEAK IN THE SYSTEM. WHEN YOU CHECKED THE P/S OIL YESTERDSY WAS IT OVERFILLED ???  JACK UP THE TRUCK CLEAN THE ENTIRE AREA OFF AROUND THE P/S PUMP AND LINES, START IT UP AND HAVE SOMEONE CRANK THE WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE YOU WATCH FOR ANY LEAKS. IF THE P/S RESEVOIR GETS LOW ON OIL IT WILL MAKE NOISE FROM OIL STARVATION.. AS FAR AS THE RADIATOR GOING LOW,, DO YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A INTERNAL LEAK,SUCH AS HEADGASKETS ??? I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND IF NOT GET BACK TO ME..GOOD LUCK,,,TOM..