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i have a 1996 chrysler concord w/65,000. i brought it ...
Sent to Car Experts March 21 07:52 AM

i have a 1996 chrysler concord w/65,000. i brought it used for 2500 and so far put 1,700 in tune-ups and other repairs. i just took it to a repair shop for my airconditioning and spent another 1300 in repairs. (none on my air conditioning, they could not fix it) One of the repairs they said i needed was a power steering pump because i was leaking power steering fluid, which he showed me. 4 days later there was smoke coming out of the front hood. Some associates of mind felt under the car and had power steering fluid on their hands. they said something was leaking. i took it back to the shop and told them maybe something came loose. they told me my (not sure of the spelling) that i needed racks and pions. they told me because they put the pump in the pressure made them leak. the cost is another 1000. can this be true?
thank you


Optional Information:
1996 Chevrolet concord 6

Already Tried:
getting another estimate. do you have any good repair shops in south florida

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9
Reply
March 21 8:00 AM (7 minutes and 27 seconds later)
         
Relist:
did not mean to close question. i thought i was closing the site
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
March 21 3:13 PM (7 hours and 12 minutes and 44 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Hello!

It is possible that there is a power steering rack leak going on in addition to the pump leak you had previously, but the shop that repaired the PS pump leak obviously did not do a very thorough job of diagnosing the leaks the first time around. Replacing the pump should not cause any racxk and pinion assembly leaks, chances are the rack leak was there before and they just did not take the time to check it on the initial visit.

The fact that they missed what is obviously a fairly large steering rack leak while looking for leaks, and that they cannot repair your air conditioner, would seem to indicate that the shop you are using is not the most thorough or competent place in the world.... you may wish to take teh vehicle in toa different shop in your area for a second opinion and to have the vehicle looked over for other potential problems before sinking a lot more $$$ into it.

Just so that you are prepared when you go in for service:

A remanufactured steering rack from NAPA is $252.88 for part #22334 (conventional steering) or $590.16 for part #22335 (speed proportional steering). Installation labor time is 4.4 hours, and a wheel alignment is required after replacement.

I hope this is helpful; if so, an accept would be most aprpeciated! thanks!

Steve7654 -- Auto Service Technician99% Positive Feedback on 1735 Car Accepts
27 yrs ASE L1 Master Technician, Service manager
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