So, since the beginning of summer the Max's steering has been slightly tough, but after a while you get used to it. It would make a smell and go away, etc. Finally, it started making the most awful noises and we finally figured out it was the power steering pump.

We took it into a mechanic and they said that the hose was leaking from both ends and the rack inside of the pump itself was leaking.

They quoted $1,300 for the repairs.

Online, the part goes for around $150

I'm not really sure how much the hose is, but I can't see the total cost in parts being above 300. But how much labor could that possibly be? Clearly not $1000 worth.

So, is the mechanic crazy? Or am I just wrong?

 

i think your mechanic is trying to get over on you, check around else where to get different estimates.

 

that was my next step, i can't see why it would be so ridiculously high.

 

yea its hard to find honest mechanics nowadays unless you know them or have a family or friend who recommends them..

 

If you think he said the work "rack", he is not talking about the PS pump, but rather the steering box, in which case his bill would be correct. They are expensive to replace, but I have one on a 19965 Maxima that has been leaky for 3 years and it still works fine.

Far be it from me to spend $1800 on a car I paid $900 for.

Just keep an eye on the PS fluid.

Now if it has a bad smell and makes a bad noise (squeal?) it sounds more like a belt.

 

Find a new mechanic man...

 

Sounds like he's trying to "shotgun" the problem by replacing everything - the pump, rack and hose. And then praying it's fixed.

 

Talked to a few places and all diagnosed the problem as hoses and a rack.

Nissan's prices:
$150 for hose.
$1,038 for the rack.
Total = 1,180.

Sounded reasonable, then he threw out the $600-700 in labor. I literally laughed at him and told him that that was a joke.

Went back to my mechanic, parts and labor = $1,270.

Think I found a pretty trusty mechanic.

 

I saw a new rack still in the original packaging on craigslist a few months ago for a hundred bucks. I should have bought it just to have it around when someone needs it.

Too bad I didn't have an extra c-note at that point.

 

Got the car back, and it's not smoking. And it makes a light whine noise, so I think I need to check the power steering fluid but I would assume that would be automatically leveled by the mechanics. Who knows.

BUT.

The car seems to be running a little rough, a little jerky. There's a high idle when in Park or neutral and sometimes drive/reverse, but not all the time. Also, light throttle will be smooth and then suddenly raise rapidly and jerk you forward as if I floored it.

Does the computer just need to be reset to learn the driving patterns? Not sure what's up and can't take it to the shop, the other car had a little run into with a tree and is totaled SO.