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Ok, first of all, I know very little when it comes to cars. I’m a single, broke mom in the middle of a divorce from hell (ironically from a mechanic 👿 ) Just want a little input to make sure I’m not completely being taken advantage of on the price of the repair I need.
My 2007 Saturn Relay has been making very bad noises when I make a turn for about a month. The best I can describe the sound is what I’d imagine a dying cow would sound like. Within the last week, my power steering will go out very briefly and then be fine. Other than that, seems to drive fine, just sounds awful.
Took it in today to be looked at. I was told I need my steering gear replaced. My rod and pinion are broke which cause a leak and I now have no power steering fluid. They also said I would need a power steering flush and and alignment after all that was replaced. The estimate for this repair, $1,218.00 plus tax. I was hoping I was looking at a couple hundred dollar problem, not a thousand. I can’t really put it off. I’m constantly driving 3 kiddos around.
I’m waiting on a second shop to call me back with an estimate. A few questions…..
1. Is $1,218.00 just outrageous or is this that big of a job?
2. The second shop said I would not need a power steering fluid flush. He said that was overkill. Do I need one after the parts are replaced or not? (My soon to be ex did a power steering fluid flush back in June.)
3. If I wait on the repair, will I be risking causing more problems that will lead to more repair? Or will my van just sound terrible and possibly lose power steering ability?
4. My soon to be ex did a power steering fluid flush back in June. Is this something he could have broken if he didn’t know what he was doing?
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If it’s a screeching noise, more like a dying vulture than a cow, that may just be a loose power steering belt.
But it could also be a bad steering rack and pinion. Those are a BEAR to remove and replace, as they’re usually buried deep down low right in front of the firewall. Eric did a video on this, and it was quite an operation. And if the rack has been disintegrating, it certainly could be sending metal or seal particles throughout the power steering system and that would require a flush.
Do get that second opinion, but be prepared to need to have that rack replaced. The part itself is about $220, which most shops mark up 100% to cover their future warranty exposure and new gold capstans for their yacht. It could easily take 4 hours to replace it. If you go to a place that charges $100 an hour, that’s now up to $840 before even adding the surcharge for the company Christmas party in Tahiti.
You can probably get a lower cost estimate at your more grubby repair place on the other side of the tracks where the Christmas party is held at the local bowling alley.
That was the dealership quote and included a power steering flush which I’ve been told I need by some people and I don’t by others. Waiting on another shop to give me an estimate. Had to replace a fuel pump earlier in the year and they were a lot cheaper than the first shop I went to.
When you replace because of a bad metal piece, you definitely want to replace all the fluid…. Don’t want to leave any little shards of metal behind…. Heck, I would do it when just replacing a leaking rack…. It is not hard to do and relatively inexpensive (when you do this DIY).
And yes, I would get a couple different quotes from different shops…
-Karl
Well the second shop is quoting me $675.00. That’s without the flush, they said that would be “overkill” :blink:
That price would obviously be sooooo much better, but it’s such a big difference it almost makes me nervous to take it there.
You may want to get a third or fourth opinion if you are still uncomfortable… As previously posted, there is a markup on parts…. I have not done this type of rack before, but they are probably looking at 3-4 hours labor… The hourly labor cost can effect your quote……
-Karl
The high quote is genuine parts w the flush. Cheap quote is aftermarket without a flush. So far everybody I’ve talked to has said I need the flush. Friend that works in parts (for another company) said if I plan on keeping the van for awhile, go w the good parts. So, I guess that’s what I need to do.
I’ve never had a car get this old. Usually I total them before I have them 7 years lol
Don’t get taken in by ‘perceived value’ that the dealership offers. The dealership will have the highest prices for everything, it’s just how they operate. That said, you should be just fine with the lower quote. As for power steering flushes. Once you take a rack out you loose just about all of the fluid anyway. I don’t see the point unless the system is full of metal flakes which can damage your new rack.
Good luck.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=77833]Don’t get taken in by ‘perceived value’ that the dealership offers. The dealership will have the highest prices for everything, it’s just how they operate. That said, you should be just fine with the lower quote. As for power steering flushes. Once you take a rack out you loose just about all of the fluid anyway. I don’t see the point unless the system is full of metal flakes which can damage your new rack.
Good luck.[/quotes]
Don’t know why a shop makes it harder than it needs to be. I always flush a system when replacing the rack or pump and all it takes is to run a hose from the return to a bucket while you add fresh in until what is coming out the hose is clear and clean.
Well, ended up having the steering gear replaced at the dealership last week. Well, now it’s back there today to figure out wtf is wrong now. It’s either delayed crank or crank/no start since yesterday. The longer it sits, the less likely it is to start. Should get the bad news about what’s wrong next tomorrow. If this keeps up, I’m going to be paying so much in repairs I might as well get rid of it and make a car payment instead of paying for all of this :sick:
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