How does my 2001 toyota corolla...

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
10,507
0
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I don't know... Pretty much, my dad and me took in my corolla (under his name) to the dealership (not my choice) about a whine that seemed to come from the engine belt (I'm a serious noob at cars...). So we took it in, hoping it'd just be $45. But they called back my dad saying they need to replace my power steering, the belt, and some other parts totalling to over $1000. Then they said that they'd give 10% off totalling $918...

Is it possible power steering was the cause of this whine? Because they said my power steering popped, yet I didn't notice...

The power steering part alone costs $350...
Then the other parts = I don't know...

Update: So, apparently the problem was that my car had aged, so they had to replace the tensioner, because there was a crack on the belt somewhere. Then, pump aged so it was failing as well. So total for parts was $134 + $332 + some gaskets and other stuff = somewhere around $535...

but here's the best part. labor... :)...
Add in $464.11, and now my total w/ tax is $999.11, or $1,000...
Woot...

At least the steering is much better and the whine is gone... :)
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
The power steering pump is driven by an engine belt. A whine that changes pitch with engine rpm is a common symptom of a pump that is about to fail.

However, you would definitely know if it already had failed, and their cost quote is F'ing ridiculous.
 

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
10,507
0
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Originally posted by: Vic
The power steering pump is driven by an engine belt. A whine that changes pitch with engine rpm is a common symptom of a pump that is about to fail.

However, you would definitely know if it already had failed, and their cost quote is F'ing ridiculous.

Yeah, thx ScottFern, Unherd, and Vic for some basic info about power steering...
But does it really cost $1000 to just replace power steering and the engine belt with some other parts???... Cause I agree, that quote is off the charts for a 2001 car...
 

Unheard

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2003
3,774
9
81
Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Originally posted by: Vic
The power steering pump is driven by an engine belt. A whine that changes pitch with engine rpm is a common symptom of a pump that is about to fail.

However, you would definitely know if it already had failed, and their cost quote is F'ing ridiculous.

Yeah, thx ScottFern, Unherd, and Vic for some basic info about power steering...
But does it really cost $1000 to just replace power steering and the engine belt with some other parts???... Cause I agree, that quote is off the charts for a 2001 car...

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id=2350123&descriptionId=2360

$176 for the pump from oreilly, figure another $10-20 for the belt.

Unless they are figuring 12 hours of work @$65/hr (which is insane, more than likely a 2 hour job), they are out of their minds. Take it elsewhere, you can drive w/o power steering.
 

Subbaculcha

Member
Aug 23, 2004
130
0
71
I bet they are replacing the rack & pinion for that much money. If that's the case it's probably a reasonable price.
My 1996 Camry rack&pinion were replaced in 2000 for $1200.
 

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
10,507
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Originally posted by: Subbaculcha
I bet they are replacing the rack & pinion for that much money. If that's the case it's probably a reasonable price.
My 1996 Camry rack&pinion were replaced in 2000 for $1200.

The rack & pinion was not replaced...
 

Splork

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
992
0
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Originally posted by: Unheard

Unless they are figuring 12 hours of work @$65/hr (which is insane, more than likely a 2 hour job), they are out of their minds. Take it elsewhere, you can drive w/o power steering.


Try more like $90 to $125 per hour for dealership work.

~sp
 

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
10,507
0
0
Originally posted by: Splork
Originally posted by: Unheard

Unless they are figuring 12 hours of work @$65/hr (which is insane, more than likely a 2 hour job), they are out of their minds. Take it elsewhere, you can drive w/o power steering.


Try more like $90 to $125 per hour for dealership work.

~sp

Most of it doesn't go to the mechanic though right?

 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
the power steering pump in my F150 has whined for quite awhile now.. same no matter where I turn the wheels, from full stop to full stop, there is a whine.

It doesn't leak and runs well otherwise, so its just going to have to whine. Its also right where it needs to be fluid wise.
 

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
1,771
0
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a power steering pump will whine when it gets low on fluid. I used to have a '93 Altima (sweet car) that had a super slow leak somewhere. Every few months it would whine and I would top it off and it was good to go.

Auto mechanics are seriously the biggest ripoffs on earth. Dealerships are the worst. What makes auto mechanic labor worth $60-$120 an hour? The mere thought of it is absolutely ridiculous.

I drive a 99 Regal right now. To replace the rotors and pads at all 4 corners, the dealership wanted $500. The parts retail would have cost me $280. A mechanic I know who gets great deals on parts, did the job for me parts and labor for $170