Dramatic Power Steering Failure

So, my dearly beloved 93 Cherokee Sport decided to treat my fellow Traffic Light Sitters to a neat, smoky display this afternoon, as it jettisoned all it's power steering fluid into the engine compartment.

From the looks of it, it was a "spray", and not a Dump; I got smoke for a few minutes before losing the Power Boost on the steering, and the stuff is everywhere along the legnth of the steering column shaft.

Naturaly, I pray for a burst or rotten hose... BUT, although I can't see too clearly in there, it looks as though it may have shot out through the end of the Steering Gearbox, where the steering column attaches. (The "Splatter Evidence" leads to that conclusion)

Big question is.... is there a replaceable seal in there that could have failed, or am I now into this for a whole $600 gearbox?

(Everything WAS in fine running shape (albeit with a tad of slop in the wheel @ 194K + miles) prior to todays episode, and boy, I got a big problem replacing a whole assembly if its' just a blown seal.)

Any of you fine folks have a few words of wisdom?

Thanks, and Regards.

Art

That happened on mine...
It was the high pressure hose from the pump to the gear box.

For what it's worth... I took 'er apart yesterday, and confirmed a very nice, neat, clean stream of Power Steering fluid shooting out of a pinhole in the ex-high pressure hose. Seems the metal tube ends are more rust than metal at this point.

So, in advance of me breaking the fitting off in the steering gearbox trying to free it... anyone know the Tap size on the gearbox, so I can buy a tap too?

You should not need a tap. It is a pipe thread, I believe.
You should use a flare wrench however on the nut ends.