Power Steering Leak--HELP!!!!

[laser77]

Hi,

I have a 1992 Plymouth Laser which I purchased last September. The car ran great until December when the alternator died. I had the alternator replaced, and immediately after I picked up the car from the mechanic I noticed whenever I turned the steering wheel there was a very loud noise, and it was kinda hard to steer. My boyfriend, who was in the car with me at the time, said I needed power steering fluid. So I stopped at the gas station and bought some and put it in right there (there was no fluid in the container at all).

About a week and a half later the noise appeared again, so once again I put more power steering fluid in it. Every two weeks the noise would pop up and immediately after hearing it I would go right then and put more fluid in it. I never drove it very far when this noise appeared.

Within the last three weeks I would say the leak is getting worse. I put power steering fluid in it about four days ago, then yesterday the noise appeared and I put a little more in it. 20 minutes later I guess all that leaked out cause the noise appeared again. There are no puddles of power steering fluid under my vehicle when I park it. Instead, it's when I back out of my space and pull away that causes a line of power steering fluid on the pavement. I just popped the hood to take a look to see if maybe a hose was leaking. I didn't see any fluid dripping from a hose or to any of the things the hose connects to, but all around the canister where I pour the fluid itself is stained from the fluid, and the fluid is all around the area around the canister.

Could it be possible that when they replaced my alternator that they had to take out something pertaining to the power steering since the alternator is practically right beside and below the power steering container. Is it deathly dangerous to drive a car with a power steering fluid leak? This is my only means of transportation and I have no other way to get back and forth to work. Would it be safe to drive the car for at least another month or two until I can afford to get the problem fixed as long as I check the fluid every day and fill it when needed?

Thanks,
LC