UK Car Repair: Vectra steering system, side seals, vauxhall vectra

Question
Hi William

I have a 1998 Vauxhall Vectra. Last Friday my steering was making a grinding noise, so I called out the RAC. They came and said that my steering fluid was low and topped it up. Al was ok and was on my way. The following day the same occured, so I bought some fluid and topped it up. There are no leaks that I can see from under the car , but I have had to top it up by about 1ltre now. Please help. Where is my fluid going and how do I stop it?

Answer
It is most likely leaking from one of the steering rack side seals.  It builds up in the bellows until they get full and then spurts out -usually on a full turn. As the bellows are at the lowest position it can go straight down onto the ground leaving little trace.