Are there any Consequences of not replacing a leaky power steering pump asap?

[ayarrington]

Relatively recently, we bought a used 2011 GMC Acadia. We had to replace a bunch of suspension, etc., parts recently when we took it in to a shop for a semi-synthetic oil change. Previous to that, my wife had the experience of driving it and the power assist on the steering 'giving out' while turning a corner. Thankfully, there was no accident, but we had to add power steering fluid to it as the reservoir was mostly bone dry. Now, the place where we took it for the oil change, after their 'inspection', told us the power steering pump is leaking and should be replaced, giving us an estimate of just over $1000(most of which($6xx) was labor. Now, I'm disabled and not able to work and we would have a difficult time coming up with that kind of money, so my wife suggested we just nurse it along(checking and filling the fluid regularly) until such time that we can better afford to repair it. Other than the possibility of this happening again, where the fluid is so low, the power assist stops working, are there other potential problems with running low/out of power steering fluid? (i.e. if there were, it would be more of an emergency issue and we would have to scramble to somehow git 'er done....Thanks much in advance for any wisdom/tips/experience you can offer!

 

[ayarrington]

Well, I'm getting a fair number of views, but no responses, so I apologize if I burned any bridges, so to speak, in the past - it wasn't my intention. But, I am currently working on trying to scrape up the money to make this repair happen. After about $3000 in recent repairs, though, I'm starting to wonder if I was unwise to buy this. Are these lemons or am I just seeing normal wear and tear for $150K(the other repairs were 4 new tires and a bunch of steering/suspension components)
?

 

[78z1joe]

Hi sorry to hear your situation. Wife's power steering pump blew at 60 K. leaking all over the place. Had the extended warranty and found a local shop that would do It Cost was $1200. and my deductible was $ 100. Super labor intensive. remanufactured pump only from rock auto is $ 170.
With all the cost cutting and electronics in cars now a days, the extended warranty is worth it. We had 2 Ford E-150 1993 and 2004 vans used to transport our family Club wagon. 5 transmissions and 4 a/c systems. I hear dodge has problems too.
Remember dad and mom saying" they don't make them the way they used to" Good luck
Joe

 

[Soja54]

Relatively recently, we bought a used 2011 GMC Acadia. We had to replace a bunch of suspension, etc., parts recently when we took it in to a shop for a semi-synthetic oil change. Previous to that, my wife had the experience of driving it and the power assist on the steering 'giving out' while turning a corner. Thankfully, there was no accident, but we had to add power steering fluid to it as the reservoir was mostly bone dry. Now, the place where we took it for the oil change, after their 'inspection', told us the power steering pump is leaking and should be replaced, giving us an estimate of just over $1000(most of which($6xx) was labor. Now, I'm disabled and not able to work and we would have a difficult time coming up with that kind of money, so my wife suggested we just nurse it along(checking and filling the fluid regularly) until such time that we can better afford to repair it. Other than the possibility of this happening again, where the fluid is so low, the power assist stops working, are there other potential problems with running low/out of power steering fluid? (i.e. if there were, it would be more of an emergency issue and we would have to scramble to somehow git 'er done....Thanks much in advance for any wisdom/tips/experience you can offer!

I didn't fix mine right away and had to replace rack and pinion and the pump. 2k in parts. I too am disabled, fix it quick is my suggestion.