Barke fluid contamination !! No Audi Content

["Dupree, Jim" <dupree@alldata.com>]

Ok I need some thoughts on how I should go about taking care of this.
For several months now my wife has been topping up the power steering fluid
in our (her) Explorer (yes I own a SUV!). The PS return hose has been
leaking slightly since we bought it. Yesterday as I was looking at it
because she was complaining about the noise from the PS and I check and it
was low again. As I was adding fluid to the PS pump she walked up and said
"What are you putting in there?" Well to make a long painful story short she
has been adding PS fluid to the brake fluid reservoir !!?
The question is Should I replace every rubber component in the hydraulic
system right off the bat? Or piece meal it?
I don't know yet why she has had to add to the brake res. Why was it low?
The brakes currently work just fine. I replaced the master cylinder in May,
I think this was before she started adding to it. I saw no other brake
problems then. Maybe she had added before this and that was the cause of the
failed MC.
Most of the parts are cheap especially compared to Audi parts but it has
rear anti-lock brakes and I am told that unit will be $$$.
If the front pad wear is what she has been adding fluid to compensate for
then the damage should be limited to MC and frt. calipers and hoses.
Thoughts anyone?
The Explorer is currently side lined and she is driving her 'favorite' of my
cars (she does not claim ownership) the 1978 VW Camper Bus.
Jim Dupree