The power steering went out on my maxima yesterday. No noise or other symptoms, it just doesn't work. The power steering fluid is not leaking. Any ideas about what is broken, how much it will cost (parts + labor)? I just had the engine replaced (looooong story), got the car back a week ago -- what could they have done wrong to cause the power steering to fail after a week (200 miles)? It was working perfectly until it failed (did not gradually lose power).

 

over tightened the belt? that screw up top in the engine bay that tightens down the power steering line could be missing a washer causing it to be offline thus not letting the fluid through...or not be tight enough to where it is not lined up. it has to be tightened just right to get the holes in it to line up so the fluid flows through the lines. first thing I would do is take it back up to them.

 

is there still a belt on it?

 

^ good point, did you notice anything strange when the power steering went out?

 

bingo, that's it. Thanks!