2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L 98,000 miles

The power steering whines on cold starts, and goes away when the vehicle warms up. No other problems with it, just really loud and annoying until it warms enough to go away.

I checked the fluid and it was a little low, so i topped it off but that didn't help. I took it to Atlantic Tire on Miami Blvd Saturday and was told a screen within the pump was the problem, and the pump would most likely need to be replaced. They flushed the system as a first measure, and it seemed to help a little the first couple times I started it, but it has since went right back to the way it was.

They quoted me $400 and change to install a remanuf. pump, or something over $500 for a new pump.

Anybody have any thoughts? First - does this sound like the solution to the problem? Also, does the price seem fair? It sounds a little high to me, it looks like you can buy the pump for less than $75, but I don't know what else is involved.

12/20/2010 9:24:11 PM

let the motherfucker whine

run to failure

[Edited on December 20, 2010 at 10:40 PM. Reason : adsf]

12/20/2010 10:39:23 PM

if it seems a little high to you, check out a video on youtube and see if you can manage changing it yourself

probably isn't that hard.

12/20/2010 10:51:36 PM

Labor hours are 1.6 hrs book time to change that pump.

400/1.6hrs = 250 dollars and hour???? plus fluid/bleeding. Or did that include the pump cost?

Do it yourself or bring it to me and I'll do it for 300

If you do need it done I could knock it out for ya.

12/20/2010 11:39:06 PM

This kind of thing is a typical issue in cold weather with power steering systems, especially ones with some mileage on them. The culprit is aeration of the fluid, which happens a lot easier when the fluid is cold and thick. A little wear on the pump and possibly sucking a little bit of air in through older seals makes the problem that much worse.

It's not a failure waiting to happen, and it's not going to do much more than aggravate you with the sound. If you want to do something about it, my first recommendation is to do a flush and fill with a good quality synthetic fluid like Mobil 1. If that doesn't take care of it, and it's bugging the shit out of you, then replace the pump, though I wouldn't call it a pressing matter.

Either I or Jeepman can do this job quite a bit cheaper, as Matt has already shown you with his numbers. Matt's got a pretty good amount of experience with Jeeps and power steering setups in particular.

12/21/2010 2:02:05 AM

Fixed!

12/28/2010 6:58:18 PM

^ A++, would recommend!!!

12/28/2010 9:11:11 PM