Posted on 07/25/2024 1:10:01 PM PDT by Paul R.
Well, I'm just full of questions this week! This one should be pretty easy: Are there any brands of automotive aftermarket power steering pumps that FReepers have had good luck with?
"Good luck" in this case means proper operation and no leaks for over 50k miles, preferably over 100k miles. Slight difficulties in installation, I can overcome, as I do most minor repair work on my cars myself. And I've studied vids and forums when it comes to instructions on bleeding the steering system hydraulics, things to watch out for during installation, and so on.
Yes, I did look at rockauto.com. They show a “heart” for most popular, but nothing I can see for reviews or feedback. So, I’m not sure what determines “most popular”?
Rockauto does have the Cardone pump new with a limited lifetime warranty. From carparts.com I’d confused that with the remanufactured alternative (3 year / 36,000 mile warranty.) New from carparts it’s 204.49 & includes a seals kit, so does rock, I believe, but, rockauto is cheaper @ $185.79. (I’m not sure the reman unit includes the seals kit, from either.)
Rockauto has an AAE pump (new) with what I think is the return hose (they say “return pipe”), for $181.79, so that looks ok, and it gets the heart, but I just don’t know - maybe it gets the heart simply for being a bit cheaper and including the “pipe”?
Advance is $180 for the Cardone pump with the Advance’ July coupon , and returns would be a lot easier. But again, reviews are sparse and not great. Amazon is REALLY cheap, for a claimed new Cardone pump @ $136.40, but there is no warranty info., and the questions field doesn’t even work!
The other problem is that power steering pump installations easily easily go awry if not done properly. So small review samples get very dicey either way...
I wish to heck I didn’t have to be so stingy, but ol’ Biden has certainly made our budget much tighter, and, it is valid to ask if I really need a pump (OEM) that likely will last 200k+ miles, when the car already has 270k miles on it!
I read the comments to see if it was due to a leak.
You sir are in luck. Three years ago I had a leaking power steering pump on a 2007 Nissan Quest it leaked about a pint every two or three weeks. Then I found some stuff called Blue Devil I looked up the company and they make seal specific additives that rejuvinate the rubber seals this stuff like all automotive fluids is crazy expensive right now but it may be the best auto product I’ve used in fifty years. I put in in a little at a time over a couple weeks per the instructions and haven’t had to replace the pump yet. I was really amazed with the way this stuff worked it would definitely be worth trying. Good luck.
2009 Outback 2.5i, almost 270k miles.
Really, we just need something that will hold up maybe 70k-100k miles, I think. This car isn’t going to last forever.
Rockauto sells Cardone, so now you have me confused.
AAE, maybe? I don’t see any “rockauto” brand of PS pumps. It’d be a cool brand name for decent quality parts, though!
:-)
The thing is, we just need something that will hold up maybe 70k-100k miles, I think. The factory pump lasted for a quarter million miles. This car isn’t going to last forever...
Good point.
Although AC Delco could come into play later (our Chevy Tahoe SSV, but @ present the PS pump in it is fine...)
Rockauto generally has a good selection of parts.
They also sell some junky ones, like Cardone and Dorman.
Everyone sells these brands, even though they are junk. Especially Remanufactured units.
I just took a looksie, and I’d use either the new BBB or the AAE. I’ve sold a decent amount of both brands for various cars and only had a few issues. they were all Remanufactured though. Never had an issue with new units.
Good luck!
Just a guess, but from reading the info @ that link, I’m guessing we’d be at around $300 there, more if a pump this old has more parts needing replacement. It may be worth a call to them to see what they think.
I seriously looked at rebuilding the pump myself, but I just don’t know if I have the finger dexterity, for one thing. At almost 70 y/o, that’s slipped some, for me. Even handwriting has gotten more difficult. :-( (!!)
How bad was the leak in the Nissan? I’m now at the point of adding from well below “Cold Min” to slightly above “Cold Max” every few days or every few hundred miles. That’s a pretty bad leak...
Ahhhh...!!! Now, that’s great info.!
Exactly what I am looking for! :-)
Oh, golly, I hope I didn’t just jinx it!
My thoughts exactly...😎
Did you try Lucas Power Steering Leak Seal?
On two different vehicles I was told I needed a new Power Steering pump. Symptoms on both were leak without metal flakes.
I used Lucas in both and it did a great job. The leaks stopped in short order and never reappeared.
How bad were the leaks?
My experience with various types of leak stop for various purposes has been hit and miss, but it might be worth a try here...
OTOH, a PS pump with 270k miles on it can’t be good much longer, I would think, even with no flakes...?
Understood but it is an inexpensive first step in dealing with what can be a messy, difficult to get at repair.
https://www.lucasoil.com/product/power-steering-stop-leak/
You can also get PS overhaul kits, and don't forget the salvage yards.
Yeah, the big salvage yard not too far from me has gone to only metals’ recycling — no parts sales any more. :-(
But, there are a couple others in the area - it might be worth a call or drop by to see if they have any Gen 3 Outbacks in the yard.
I don’t trust myself doing a PS rebuild. An alternator, yes, but PS are really finicky, complex little buggers, and my finger dexterity just isn’t quite so good any more. :-(
That Lucas Stop Leak has a “100% Guarantee”, so, not much to lose but a bit of time & some more PS fluid. Worth a shot, though I still wonder how bad your leak was? In any event, I picked up a couple bottles this afternoon, so, I’ll see what happens.
I wonder if Lucas has the same guarantee for the engine stop leak?
Edelmann any good? They have an impressive warranty, but, then again, so does Cardone...
And a couple comments I found about Edelmann were iffy, although both referred to “whining noise” which could be a problem with the fluid itself...
Edelmann is not a product I am familiar with.
Ok, yeah, they may be somewhat of a newcomer...
Thanks anyway!
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