When diagnosing a power steering leak, which technician's statement is correct?

When diagnosing a power steering leak, it's important to replicate the conditions under which the steering system operates. The statement that the steering wheel should be rotated stop-to-stop is correct because this action allows the technician to examine fluid movement and any leaks that may occur under full steering load. Rotating the steering wheel to its limits engages the power steering system fully, increasing pressure in the system, which can reveal leaks that might not be evident when the wheels are straight ahead.

While having the wheels straight ahead is common practice for many diagnostics, it does not necessarily create the conditions for identifying leaks effectively. The full range of motion is needed to expose issues such as worn seals, loose connections, or other wear points that may only present a leak under high-stress situations, making the second statement the more applicable choice for assessing leaks in this scenario.