The power steering went last night in my Malibu. It wasn't gradual, I was just making a turn in a parking lot, probably cranking the wheel more than was necessary, and lost power steering.
Symptoms:
- stiff, but accurate steering; it's hard to turn the wheel, but the tires turn at the angle of the wheel
- no noise; driving is as silent as before, no unusual humming, whistling, growling, etc
- it's difficult to turn to both sides, not just one or the other
- no leaking fluid; I had a brief diagnosis done this morning - the lines are fine, no leaks, no rust, fluid is normal, not low.. which led the mechanic to believe it was either the pump or the rack.
Questions:
a) If it's the power steering pump, approximately how much will it cost for a new pump? And should I get one with a reservoir or without? How can I check to see if my current pump has one? Approximately how long should this take to get replaced at a garage?
b) If it's the rack and pinion, how much will that cost to replace? How long will this take at a garage?
Symptoms:
- stiff, but accurate steering; it's hard to turn the wheel, but the tires turn at the angle of the wheel
- no noise; driving is as silent as before, no unusual humming, whistling, growling, etc
- it's difficult to turn to both sides, not just one or the other
- no leaking fluid; I had a brief diagnosis done this morning - the lines are fine, no leaks, no rust, fluid is normal, not low.. which led the mechanic to believe it was either the pump or the rack.
Questions:
a) If it's the power steering pump, approximately how much will it cost for a new pump? And should I get one with a reservoir or without? How can I check to see if my current pump has one? Approximately how long should this take to get replaced at a garage?
b) If it's the rack and pinion, how much will that cost to replace? How long will this take at a garage?