im not sure if this is suppose to be there but can someone identify and let me know? it is connected to one of the power steering hose, and looks like some kind of inline filter of some sort.

circled in red below...

 

It looks like someone added a power steering fluid filter. Its not factory, but it wont hurt anything either. It actually looks like a fram fuel filter that was used. You can remove it or leave it in place, its up to you.

 

Probably is a filter. I've heard of it before, but can't see where it's an improvement over just a good ol turkey baster flush every now and again. Looks like it's just adding more clutter to and already cluttered engine bay. No harm in leaving either, though.

 

x2 what vasinvictor said. no harm to anything but completely pointless imho.

i bet it makes that truck faaaassttt, like the wing on the trunk of a honda civic!

 

thanks for the replies guys, that is the source of my leak and i am eliminating that filter.

 

what IS the point of a filter? i thought power steering fluid was power steering fluid...what kind of "impurities" would you find in ps fluid?

 

The same kind you would find in any hydraulic system.

Then again it could be one of those upgrades someone puts on their Race truck to help prevent power steering failure since they no longer have the upper body strength to turn the wheel if it quit.

Be nice to know what side it is on with those clamps I hope the return side

 

the atf used in our power steering systems has so much detergents in it there is really no reason for a filter anyway