Leaking Pressure line/maybe conversion??

[750beater]

Hi All 96' Lima 2WD. My high pressure line on my PS pump likes to leak. Its not major but its enough to make me keep fluid in my truck's tool box. I have 2 major questions below. Just looking for some help. Now one major problem is, I bought this truck from a friend and instead of adding ATF he added PS fluid and as the leak kept going now the system is completely PS fluid and no ATF. My pump has been super loud for almost 3 years. Recently it actually switches in between loud and quiet. The quiet has inspired me to get it right.

1. I have replaced the teflon seals and replaced a new line but the line bottoms out and its still loose. So it jiggles more than it should causing a leak. But since it is not ATF if I replace the pump the system still has PS fluid in the box. Am I screwed lol?

2. Is it possible to just swap out the box and get a new pitman arm and manual gear box instead?

The leak can actually fail your state inspection here in Texas so I been passing but I have to fill the system and clean the area every year. Kind of getting old. Your advice is most appreciated.

 

[4x4junkie]

The high-pressure line is designed to swivel where it exits the pump, so if that is where it is leaking from, then you have a bad O-ring seal in there. The only way to fix it is to replace the high-pressure hose, as the fitting cannot be disassembled to get to that particular o-ring. Fortunately a new hose isn't too expensive, about $35 or so if I remember correct.

Type-F ATF is what is called for. I somewhat doubt that "Power Steering Fluid" (typically what import models use) would cause damage to the steering gear, I'd be more worried about the pump. Also if the old pump is worn, you probably might have some metal particulates floating around in there, might not be a bad idea to add an inline filter to your return line so the new pump doesn't have that crap going through it.

Edit:
N/M, I just realized you said you replaced the line... Another place to check for a leak is where the output fitting (the large hex part) seals against the pump reservoir, there's another (larger) O-ring behind there that I've had leak on mine, maybe that's your issue.

 

[750beater]

Hi guy, thanks for the helpful advice. So I went ahead and pulled the fitting the hose screwed into. I barely touched it with my pick and it cracked. So clearly it was bad. After taking it off it looks more like a V ring rather then an o ring, but I figured I already have a leak, lets try the o rings I have in my box. It appears to be sealing. I'm going to monitor the fitting for a few days and see if I find anything else leaking. I attached a picture of the bad o ring and the load noise it makes.

Whats so crazy was when I backed it out of the garage, it was so quiet. I was excited until I took my first turn and she was screaming again. The pumps are so cheap I think I'm just gonna buy one.

Youtube link.