Thanks for all the empathy guys!
I found one friend (haven't actually met him face 2 face)
here in Austin that has had his steering pump redone.

I took a look at things, there is juice everywhere! (fan shroud, bottom pan...) I also understand why they have so much labor in the job, it is really tight in there! The fluid reservior was way down!

I am going to a well respected independent and get another opinion today.

The only symptoms where some noise and lots of fluid, I had been chasing a leak (but it was a combination, oil - steering and trans fluids) all mixing on the lower cover pan and dripping off in various spots. Also found the oil pressure sending unit is leaking at the block. That should be easy to fix...

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Bryan Harter
1992 500E Smoke Silver
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab Silver/Black
2001 Harley Fatboy - Pearl White
2004 F150 FX4 Silver/Grey
1969 GTO Liberty Blue
1956 F100 Black