Hey everyone I am in need of expert advise and opinions based on previous experience.

Last night leaving work i started to truck to let it warm up for awhile and started hearing a terrible whining noise, it has done it a little in the past but never this bad, after letting the truck warm up for about 20 minutes i jumped in it to head home thinking the noise was due to the extreme cold we were experiencing last night.

as soon as I started driving i knew something wasn't right, it was as if i had no power steering and no power brakes ( power steering pump right?) I made it to a gas station and when i looked under my truck sure enough the bottom of my truck was coated in oil and a big puddle on the ground.

I'm new to the area so i don't have much knowledge on reputable shops in the area so after a quick search i had it towed to a shop down the road from my house. The shop calls me and tells me it needs the gear box replaced for $600! OUCH!

I still don't think he is right i think its the power steering pump, any thoughts?

side note: for about a month whenever i would step on the brakes it would make a strange pulsating sound, is this related? Also while i was out of town for a few months my wife had my oil changed at valvoline or some crap like that, the receipt states they topped off the power steering fluid, if they didn't use ATF would this cause damage.

 

Yes, it needs ATF not power steering fluid. You need to figure exactly where its leaking from (and what its leaking because it shouldnt be "oil"). I blew the fitting on the pressure hose on mine, simple fix. If its just a fitting that needs replaced you need to flush out all that power steering fluid too. Put some Mobil 1 ATF in there. It will whine a little after the flush because you will get some air in there but its self purging and will work it out. Although it may have ruined the pump with the power steering fluid, I would take it to the shop and show them they put power steering fluid in there and broke it.

The hydroboost (which takes ATF) runs both the breaks and the power steering. Its a pretty simple system right below the alt.

FYI, pretty much ALL of the steering gear boxes have play in them. If it is the steering box (But it really does not sould like it is!) then get one from Red-Head.