Last Updated: August 13, 2018 Show
Because replacing your power steering fluid isn’t often on your routine maintenance schedule inside of your vehicle’s owners manual, some mechanics are often skeptical as to if the flush is really necessary. Some say it’s an oversell, while other mechanics note it can absolutely help due to the grit and sludge that’s able to find its way into the fluid. This fluid flows through your power steering system as its being pressurized by the steering pump by the way of pistons, plungers and valves. As the system wears over time, particles can make its way into the fluid, often contaminating the fluid, which, if left ignored, can cause the system to fail. While it’s debatable if you should routinely flush your power steering fluid, most mechanics agree on one thing — follow the owner’s manual to see what your manufacturer recommends. How much does a power steering flush cost?The cost of flushing your vehicle’s power steering fluid will really depend on the mechanic/dealer you use and your geographical location. As a standalone flush and nothing else included, the costs are often between $65 to $115, but if you were to have this flush done with other routine repairs, then the costs could be much higher as it’s combined as a package. Seeing the flush itself is a relatively quick procedure, most shops will charge you the shop minimum and a few dollars for the power steering fluid, with dealerships often charging up to 40% more than a mechanic. Angie’s List, for example, says that most of the experts they talked to charged anywhere between $99 and $125. According to the official Pep Boy’s pricing list, its “Power Steering Flush Service Package” starts at $69.99, for instance. At Jiffy Lube, when we called a local location, they said its power steering flush starts at $69.99, but it heavily dependent on the geographical location. The processThe process is relatively straightforward as with most fluid exchanges. Before the fluid is even flushed, however, the mechanic will first check to make sure no leaks are present. This will include checking any hoses, clamps and fittings for any leaks. Once it’s confirmed no leaks are present, the power steering reservoir is emptied and is then filled with the correct type designed for your vehicle. Do keep in mind that if the wrong fluid is poured into the system, it can cause intensively damaged. Nex, the mechanic will bleed the steering system and any residual fluid will be cleaned up at this time. The car is then started, tested and will be inspected for any leaks before the flush is considered complete. When should I replace my power steering fluid?In some cases, there may be signs it’s time to replace your power steering fluid. For starters, if you see any dirty fluid and/or noise coming from the power steering, then it could indicate the fluid needs to be changed, but this isn’t always the case as you could have a faulty power steering part. Mechanics will often tell you to listen for a moaning-like sound because this can indicate the fluid levels are low. Other signs to look out for, aside from listening to the noises, includes difficulty turning the wheel or brown/black fluid inside of the power steering fluid reservoir — a sign that indicates the fluid is contaminated. As for a maintenance schedule, the service should be done either every 36 months or about every 75,000 miles, whichever comes first. This will all depend on your vehicle’s age, condition and the mechanic’s recommendation. The next time you do take your car in for routine maintenance, talk with the mechanic to see what he or she recommends as, again, you often won’t find it inside of your vehicle’s owners manual. What color is power steering fluid?Power steering fluid, usually, is a slight variant of transmission fluid, with pink, clear and red being the most common colors. To know for sure which colors your power steering fluid should be, mechanics recommend checking your owner’s manual to know for certain. If the fluids are either black or a darker brown, then this is a tell-tale sign the fluid is contaminated and should be swapped, especially if it has a bad smell to it. Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.  Average Reported Cost: $120How much did you spend?Last Updated on October 26, 2021 In the old days, steering a vehicle required drivers to have strong arms and a strong upper body. If they didn’t then it would have been very difficult for them to steer. Fortunately, power steering was invented to give any driver the ability to steer their vehicle and make turns without much effort. The power steering system involves the use of power steering fluid, hoses, a rack and a pinion and power steering pump. Need help with a car problem RIGHT NOW? Click Here to chat online with a verified mechanic who will answer your questions.
Symptoms of Power Steering System LeaksThe first thing you may notice when this happens is an unusual stain on your driveway or garage floor. But the real symptoms will be noticeable when you actually drive your vehicle on the road. Once power steering fluid starts to leak, the steering wheel will become hard to turn which means the driver will have to use more upper body strength to turn the steering wheel. Drivers may also start to hear whining or grumbling noises when they turn the wheel. At this point, you need to make sure your power steering fluid reservoir is full and top off if necessary. Then you’ll want to troubleshoot the cause of the power steering leak or take it to a mechanic to fix. Average Repair Costs for Power Steering System LeaksThere are 6 main components of a hydraulic power steering system. They include:
Because of this, there are many possible areas for a leak to occur. The leak could come from the pump, reservoir tank, high pressure hose, return hose or rack and pinion assembly. To know from which area the leak come from, you can get under your vehicle to try to pinpoint the leaking area or simply have a professional find the leak. Below are estimated costs to repair or replace the leaking area of your power steering system. Power Steering Pump Repair CostThe average cost to repair a power steering pump is somewhere between $200 and $350. To replace the power steering pump with a new part, it will cost between $400 and $800 (depending on car model and what shop you take it to). Power Steering Reservoir Tank Replacement CostA power steering reservoir tank leak commonly comes from the cap and hose connector. But sometimes, a clog from the filter of the reservoir tank can cause a spill or noise especially while turning. The average cost to replace a power steering reservoir tank is somewhere between $150 to $250 depending on the vehicle and how hard it is to access the reservoir. Power Steering Hose Replacement CostPower steering hoses are typically made of rubber and they carry the power steering fluid to the rack and pinion of the power steering system. Unfortunately, these rubber hoses tend to crack after a while which causes the fluid they carry to leak. The actual repair job will likely consist of replacing the power steering high pressure hose or power steering return hose because of the crack it has that leaks fluid. The cost to replace with new hoses will likely be between $100 and $300 for parts, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. The labor costs for the replacement will be between $80 and $160. The labor costs depend on the hourly labor rate that the mechanic charges. Most mechanics charge $80 to $120 per hour and a power steering hose replacement service should take about an hour to perform. Therefore, the replacement cost will be between $180 and $460. Power Steering Hose Repair CostIf you want a cheaper and temporary alternative to replacing the hose, or if you’re out of town and need an emergency repair, you can fix the hose yourself. All you need is to find a local auto parts store and purchase a male-to-male brass coupler, 2 hose clamps, and something to cut the hose with. Find the portion of hose which has the leak and cut off the section that’s bad. Insert the coupler inside each hose in the spot you cut out the bad hose and tighten each side via a hose clamp. This temporary solution should cost you less than $10 and allows you to get back on the road. You’ll eventually want to completely replace the hose since its condition has deteriorated enough where it will likely develop other leaks. Power Steering Rack and Pinion Repair CostThe average cost to repair a leak on a rack and pinion assembly will most likely fall somewhere between $500 to $1,200. This is a lot more expensive than other parts of the power steering system since you need to completely overhaul the steering rack and pinion. This consists of replacing all O rings and replace all oil seals inside the steering rack, and also include a front wheel alignment. You will most often be better off replacing the rack and pinion and the price difference is quite similar. ConclusionWhile leaks within the power steering system can happen, one tip can help problems from arising. The simple thing you can do is to not hold the steering fully turned for more than 10 seconds since this places a lot of stress on the system. So to recap, here again are the average repair or replacement costs for various components of your power steering system:
Is it worth changing power steering fluid?It is an important part of your steering system, and it makes turning your steering wheel easy. Replacing power-steering fluid generally is not listed among the regular maintenance items that should be performed, so on most vehicles, replacing it is at the owner's discretion.
How much does it cost to get power steering fluid changed?Just like a coolant flush, the cost of your power steering flush will depend on the make and model of your car and whether or not you are taking the vehicle into a shop or performing the flush yourself. A typical power steering flush, including labor costs, will run you anywhere from $90 to $125.
How often should I replace power steering fluid?On average, vehicles need a power steering fluid flush every 40,000-80,000 miles. In some cases, manufacturer recommendations can go even higher or lower than this range. Your recommended flush routine depends heavily on your type of vehicle—as the steering system and fluid needs can vary.
Is power steering fluid expensive?Power steering fluid costs around $10 a bottle, and the bottle will last you a couple of top-offs. Opting to refill the power steering fluid yourself is a pretty easy process, even for those who are intimidated by the prospect of looking under the hood.
|
How much does it cost to change power steering fluid
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 membukakan Inc.
