Hole In Underside Of Car / Power Steering Fluid

[lighterthief]

Hi folks, hope someone can offer a little advice on two issues.

Bought a 1994 Carina 1.6e last year (it's a left hand drive model as I live in Norway). It's my first Toyota and indeed the first car I've ever owned, so am learning a lot as I go along.

First issue: was changing to summer tires this morning. When I replaced the front offside tire (this is on the left hand side of the car when driving, underneath the driver seat) I stupidly misplaced the jack too far underneath the car by an inch, and it's punched through and bent back some kind of metal plating. Idiot. Question is: what have I gone through, is it serious and how to repair? Seems dry and dusty inside whatever shallow compartment I've gone in to, but am worried about effects of water getting in and so on. Can't see from my Haynes manual what is there.

Second question: is it normal to have to replace power steering fluid? I checked all my oil/coolant/brake/clutch levels recently, and this didn't even register on the dipstick. Should I just crack on and top it up?

Thanks in advance for any advice :)

[toylexus]

Fill up the steering fluid and watch for leaks. you shouldnt have to keep topping up. can you take pics of the damage you done with the jack, it'll be easier to pin point the exact spot then.