Gearbox oil advice quickly please...?

[BER-LINGO]

I began servicing my own van when It was returned with cobwebs and dried leaves fro the previous autumn still on the steering filler cap.

Theres one or two honest people in the entire motor industry that spoil it for the rest of them.

My word! Ok so not the most interesting pics but to show just exactly how much our beloved vehicles will run on such scant power steering. You see the length of the turkey baster that was inserted into the reservoir and what is in the bottle is all I could get out, even after starting and turning the steering wheel a few times. I just hope the issue is as simple as refilling and I don't find a leak or a stuffed pump or something like that, which is my luck!

[BER-LINGO]

Deffo recomend changing gear oil. mine was like swirling glitter oil. The glittery bits being tiny bits of gear shrapnel. And only done 75k in its 12 year life plus I drive it like Miss Daisy. I imagine there must be a magnet in the bell housing somewhere but dont know where. Some people say the gear oil is for the life of the vehicle but how long a life is the question. If youre talking 250k plus then its got to be changed imo. Prblem is most of the subframe and wheel componants are needing revamping and the body rot will have long set in. Ive got to rub down the dreaded underside of the bonnet and prime and spray that next. Peely paint grrrrr!!!!