Hi there. As my wife was driving home yesterday, her power steering gave out. We are lucky she is alive as it occured in the highway getting off a circular exit. My mechanic says it is definetely the power steering pump. The error code was P0121.

Anyway, he wants to charge $650 (including the expensivenew Dealer part which was about $350) and the rest for labor, oil change, rotation oftires, diagnosis code and print out. Is this too much?

Please someone let me know. I am not a mechanic at all so I will have to pay for the service regardless. Is it fair? My wife is freaking out if you all can imagine.

Thanks in advance to all who look and help out.
*****

 

I would say to make sure you are getting an accurate quote call around and get quotes from a few more shops in the area. I don't know how much time the job is supposed to take.

 

I hadthe stealership replace my powersteering pump, and it cost me a lil over 700. Pump was a little over 400 (dont member exactly), and install was a couple hours labour and taxes.

If I ever ruin another power steering pump I'm definatly going to install the pump myself. I don't care if it takes a full day, I'm not paying 250$ for the dealer install.

 

I had my pump go out a month ago. I bought a lifetime pump from Checker. Cost $159.61. Changed it my self in a couple of hours. You can rent the Power steering pump pulley puller at checker as well.They make you buy the puller but give you a complete refund when you bring it back. Just make sure when you press the pulley back on the shaft, the pulley is in line with all the others. You can use a ruler or some other straight edge. Place it across the alternator, or crank shaft pulley and the power steering pulley. Before you start your vehicle. Make sure to bleed the system well. This is done by jacking up and supporting the front end. Fill the power steering reservoir. Turn your wheel back and forth, watching the fluid level. Don't let it get low or you will put more air in the system. The more times you turn it, the better chance you have of getting all the air out. Hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
Ted

 

Damn, I really got the bend-over special from the stealership. Well now I know for next time, as its a good chance ill destroy another by the time I'm done with the D

 

Deerang, I know I'll end up breaking another one. That's why I spent the little extra for the lifetime. Still way cheaper than the STEALERSHIP!!!!

Ted

 

you say you spent a lil more for the lifetime? Yours only costed you 160, my pump costed about 400$.

 

I Bought my first one from one place. Had problems with that one. Don't want to mention the name because they usually have good stuff.Returned it for another and they had no more avaliable. So I had to get a refund. Almost bought the OE from dealership. Cost more, but in stock. Decided to give Checker a chance. 2 day's shipping. The lifetime was about $30.00 mure than a 3 year I think. Any way, works great.

 

Yup and if it ever goes out you just saved yourself $.

 

That's the idea!!

Ted