Ha! I decided to pop back in for a few minutes. Need to get my body temperature down a bit anyway - it’s hot “out”!
Anyway, it’s fluid leakage, mostly from the bottom half of the pump. Possibly the shaft seal, too. Hard to see, there, in this car. (Subie Outback with almost 270k miles on it. Pump is original, I think.
I replaced a seal on the top connector, maybe 2 years ago, and that’s holding up ok. No metal flakes observed. Definite groaning sounds at low (winter) temperatures. Steering otherwise sounds and feels fine.
I read the comments to see if it was due to a leak.
You sir are in luck. Three years ago I had a leaking power steering pump on a 2007 Nissan Quest it leaked about a pint every two or three weeks. Then I found some stuff called Blue Devil I looked up the company and they make seal specific additives that rejuvinate the rubber seals this stuff like all automotive fluids is crazy expensive right now but it may be the best auto product I’ve used in fifty years. I put in in a little at a time over a couple weeks per the instructions and haven’t had to replace the pump yet. I was really amazed with the way this stuff worked it would definitely be worth trying. Good luck.
Did you try Lucas Power Steering Leak Seal?
On two different vehicles I was told I needed a new Power Steering pump. Symptoms on both were leak without metal flakes.
I used Lucas in both and it did a great job. The leaks stopped in short order and never reappeared.