Ok, today i completely removed the power steering pump and reservoir because I KNOW for sure the p/s fluid is leaking from this area, but im not sure where.

The Reservior is not leaking anywhere,The pump itself looks to be fine except for the whining, BUT on the p/s pump body, I see an area where it looks like an O-ring SHOULD be, but is not? I checked in the manual, and it looks like an O-ring should be there too but I want to be SURE. here is the picture


and here is a picture of the part that connects to the piece in the first picture
so... am I missing an O-ring?

 

Having the same issue. What is/was the cause?

 

Mine had a o-ring there. I completely removed my pump, cut and looped the line. I like the car without p/s a lot better and the wheel isn't a bitch at all to turn!

 

Replace the o-ring. Also, the short hose connected to that pipe is notorious to leak. A new hose is about $8 from Mazda. Replace the clamps as the stock ones don't hold well.