My steering column has been leaking a good amount of PSF for a while now, but it seems as though it is getting worse. Along with the amount of fluid leaking, it is also beginning to make a sort of winding/squealing noise, that - I'm guessing - can only be heard from within the cabin. The winding noise sounds like something is being stretched to its limits and is about to snap, and the squealing sounds like, well...a rusty door hinge or something. I've seen steering columns going for around $260 + shipping, but I'd imagine the labor is a NIGHTMARE, so I was thinking about possibly removing the power steering unit in general. Although obviously it would make the steering wheel a lot stiffer, it would also free a minute amount of HP, correct? Can anyone shed some light into this and maybe give some opinions/suggestions. Thank you all for reading this..

 

First of all, your steering column does not contain fluid, only the power assist system under the hood has fluid in it.

Secondly, you should just find the leak in your system and repair it. The sounds you describe are classic low fluid sounds. You may be able to hear them better in the cabin, because there you are moving the steering wheel which creates the sound when the system is low on fluid.
Removing the power steering system on this car would be a big mistake. Your steering effort would increase way over and above any potential HP savings. The car would be a pain to drive.