Well, this isn't really a 2gnt question, but my friend took his Chrysler Cirrus to a mechanic who said there was something wrong with the power steering pump (and some other related stuff) but... the mechanic quoted him at 1000-1200 for parts and labor.

I know the pump is an easy fix and shouldn't be THAT much. So is there something seriously wrong with the car that we might not be able to fix by ourselves, or is the mechanic just trying to take him for a ride?

Mabey give us a bit better description of what is wrong? What exactly did the mechaninc tell him was wrong? If it was just a PS pump then yes the mechanic is taking you for a ride. If it is say a blown head gasket? Blown front/rear seals ect ect then it could cost that much.

Maybe if all 4 tie rod ends were gone, the power steering pump was shot, the lines were all toast, and the rack was in 15 pieces and welded to the car, that would be a good estimate. If this is not the case, then :wary
-=B-=

i had my rack replaced case it was bad it was 450 for a bran new rack and labor!

Talked to my friend again. He said it was the power steering pump and the rack that needed to replaced. He also said he had a feeling the mechanic wasn't quite sure and just said those things to have something to fix.

But if it's just the power steering pump and rack, how hard is it to do the work yourself on replacing a rack?

cost 180 for a pump and labor for me whenever mine died..

the rack is a pain in the ass but if you have a lift and the right tools i say go atit if you have the pacents for a job like that.

Yea, getting a rack and pinion replaced is EXPENSIVE. I once got a quote from Pep Boys for around $800 (parts and labor). I then called Satan and they wanted $700 for the rack itself! I ended up getting one from a junkyard and replaced it myself. It took me around... I'd say 5 or 6 hours with regular tools. Only special tool I bought was a tierod end remover.

The best part came when I found out my rack wasn't bad at all. Oh well... if anyone wants a rack from my car I'm selling it. :)

Yeah, my rack died a year ago, dealer quoted me $850 just for a new rack, Got between $600-800 quotes from everywhere else JUST FOR THE RACK! I ended up getting one from a 98 GS from a boneyard for $120 and installing it. Been fine ever since..

I replaced mine with a refurbished rack from pepboys (with lifetime warranty) which only cost me 110 bucks then I had it installed at my local gas station for 120.