Power Steering Pump Failure...or is it the Steering Rack?
Has your car's power steering suddenly quit working? If so, it
could be that your power steering pump has failed. The unit
itself may be shot or it could be a loss of steering fluid
through a bad hose that is causing the problem. Regardless, you
better tend to the problem now or you will soon be struggling
with steering a car that seems to be working against you, not
with you.
Before pump failure becomes obvious, you will usually hear
buzzing or whining noises coming from underneath the hood. On
the other hand, if you notice a gradual loss of power as
evidenced by an increasingly difficult time moving the steering
wheel [as when attempting to parallel park] or if you notice the
problem when you first start up your car in the morning, then
your steering rack may be going.
Steering racks fail gradually, but when they do you must take
action before total failure occurs. Otherwise, control of your
car becomes impossible and failure could then happen at any
time, as in those times you are on the interstate. A real threat
to your safety and to the safety of other drivers!
To find out if it is the steering rack causing the problem,
check the power steering fluid closely to see if you notice
small metallic pieces of metal floating around in it. If you do,
then your steering rack is wearing out and the metallic pieces
are the evidence that the rack is coming apart piece by piece.
Either way you slice it, you can expect that a major repair bill
is looming for you. Not the news you want to hear, but not the
news you have to hear either. Yes, taking your car in to your
local garage or to your dealer's repair department will cost you
dearly. You will pay a mint for labor and pay a premium for a
replacement steering pump or steering rack. High labor costs and
huge replacement parts price mark ups are all part of the
equation.
Fortunately, if you are even somewhat handy you can do either
job yourself. Many weekend mechanics love grabbing a hold of
their Haynes repair manual and with the replacement part at
their side, go after the job. Of course, where you buy the
replacement part can really matter, but strong savings can be
gained if you shop online. Yes, auto parts wholesalers such as
the Steering Rack Pros have what you want and at deep, discount
prices. Reputable online wholesalers buy directly from the
manufacturers and pass on big savings to you. No dealer mark
ups, no third party charges. Just every day low prices on the
parts you want and need.
So, go ahead and replace your power steering pump or steering
rack today and save big on labor costs and replacement parts.
There isn't much better in life than to do a job yourself and
gain a strong sense of satisfaction when you know you have
successfully overcome a challenge and saved a bundle of money in
the process.