How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Power Steering Leak?
EPAS power steering column by Samf4u — CC BY-SA 4.0
Power steering is a vital feature for drivers. While it comes with benefits, it may also cause difficulties and make handling and maneuvering more difficult. If you want everything to operate correctly, your car will need a power steering fluid to keep functioning, or everything could fail.
Like many other mechanical issues, power steering fluid leaks come up from time to time. And you must first determine what is causing the problem before attempting to solve it. Luckily if you catch it, you can repair it, but how much does it cost to fix a power steering leak?
While everything will depend on your unique situation, most power steering fluid system repairs cost between somewhere $500 and $650. However, the actual cost depends on what went wrong with the system, where you got it fixed, and your actual location of repair. For example, if you need to repair the hose, you’ll likely spend under $150 for the essential components plus labor.
What are the Causes of Power Steering Leaks?
Having an insufficient amount of fluid could cause damage to the vehicle and ultimately lead to costly repairs down the road. It also substantially raises your chances of being involved in an accident that might have been avoided.
Overall vehicle usage and time are the most common causes of power steering fluid leaks. The “O rings” can lose shape and bulk gradually over time which can also significantly impact the seals. Seals will begin disintegrating into tiny fragments that will float in the fluid. When this happens, the components cannot function as intended, and the liquid will leak. Replacement is not an option for these seals, which can be inconvenient.
Ultimately it can boil down to timing for power steering fluid leakage. Specific components of all cars slowly decay as it gets older, which can be accelerated with miles on them. Every aspect of a car’s handling is influenced by power steering. It allows you to comfortably tackle bends and twists while remaining straight and narrow when necessary.
The system requires a large amount of power steering fluid to make this possible. The hydraulic fluid that allows the steering system to transmit power generates the necessary pressure on both sides of the rack-mounted piston in your automobile.
The following are the most typical sources of leaks:
- Seals and O-rings losing bulk and shape
- Seal fragments end up in the fluid
- Holes appear in supply hoses
Like most things with cars, the cost of fixing a power steering system leak can vary greatly and depends on the source. You may need to replace just a single component or the entire system.
The first step is always getting it inspected by a local mechanic or repair shop to determine its cause. The ultimate goal is to replace the hose, pressure valves, or whatever else appears to be broken. The seals may be damaged in rare situations, but this necessitates replacing the entire system, not just the seals. Hence the reason why you may have to go for a complete hose replacement.
FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE
You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Power Steering Leak?
When replacement of the entire power steering system typically costs somewhere between $500-$650, but some specific parts may be just the following:
- A new hose: $100-$300
- Pump replacement: $400-$800
- Replacement of a pressure valve: 25-$60
- Labor: $40-$200
Although you can still drive a car with a power steering leak, it doesn’t mean you should. This is because the system has run empty, making taking turns much more difficult. As a response to having limited turning ability, you might end up drifting somewhat wider than you’re used to. This significantly raises your chances of being involved in an accident.
THE BEST CARS FOR SNOW
Winter driving impacts young and experienced drivers alike. We’ve compiled a list of the best cars for snow, so you can get from Point A to Point B as safely as possible.
The lack of liquid can create additional heat, and other components in your vehicle may eventually deteriorate as a result. If you don’t take care of it right away, you could wind up with more severe problems in the not-so-distant future.
While fixing the power steering system might cost a few hundred dollars, it’s a small price to pay compared to the expense of replacing it. When weighing the ultimate cost to fix a power steering leak, consider how much more you’ll spend if you ignore the issue. Of course, you want your to be in excellent driving condition, so you, your passengers, and other travelers are safe.
So, when you’re trying to figure out how much it costs to fix a power steering leak, the answer might vary. But, it’s the type of thing that could continue to get worse and can be the reason your car stops suddenly in the middle of the road. If you think you might have an issue, it’s always better to err on the side of caution, considering the potential damage in the end.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers.
Tips to Avoid Power Steering Leaks
If you don’t want to deal with the hassles from power steering leaks, a few precautionary steps can go a long way.
- Don’t turn your wheels all the way - Power steering systems are relatively good with specific tolerances to significant pressure. Not pushing the system too far is a good start to avoid leaks. How far is too far? Well, try not to turn the wheel in either direction until they stop turning. Pushing the steering all the way puts significant strain on the pump, lines, and other components – eventually, you may spring a leak.
- Monitor your serpentine belt - This long belt wraps around the cranks and pulleys under your car. If the serpentine belt starts to crack or slip, the steering pump will likely act up or stop working altogether. It takes a good while before you need a belt replacement, but you’ll have to replace it as soon as you see signs of stretching, cracks, or any damage.
- Get a power steering flush - At around 100,000 miles, we recommend getting a power steering fluid flush. Then, do more flushes every 50,000 to 75,000 miles. Flushing helps recondition your O-rings, seals, and other leak-stopping components.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
