# Power steering pump **URL:** \ **Category:** Safety\ **Tags:** mercury, villager, safety\ **Created:** [July 13, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773 "2010-07-13T16:45:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Flytiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Flytiger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flytiger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/1 "2010-07-13T16:45:50Z")
Is it safe to drive if power steering pump needs to be replaced? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/2 "2010-07-13T18:07:02Z")
Not knowing what the problem is, if it goes out completely you’ll be driving a car that is MUCH harder to steer, which would be a problem if it happens unexpectedly. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/3 "2010-07-13T18:23:57Z")
Not enough information to answer the question. Too many variables. It would be safe to drive a different car, one in which the power steering pump does not need to be replaced. If you know the PS pump is bad you’re taking a risk driving the car. If the pump fails the steering will become very difficult, and in an emergency you may not be able to control the car. Is it worth the risk? ---
**Author:** ![Flytiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Flytiger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flytiger)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/4 "2010-07-14T13:41:36Z")
I appreciate that info. Does $475. sound about right for a replacement? 1993 Villager, 133,000 mi. Great van; first 10 years free of major repairs. Original transmission. Equipped with a lift for scooter; wife has MS. Sort of married to Minnie. Exhaust pipe & muffler needs replacement. Total quote = $790. Cannot afford new van. Hesitate investing the $s. Any opinions? Thanx- Marty ( former 14th AAF-Flying Tigers ). Far from ready to quit driving. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/5 "2010-07-14T13:59:10Z")
I don’t have a good handle on those repair costs, but they don’t sound out of the ordinary. If you’ve had good experience with this shop in the past, then I’d do it. Otherwise, use the ‘mechanic finder’ on this site to find one others recommend: > **[Mechanics Files](https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files)** > > Car Talk from NPR. Car advice, tips, troubleshooting, and answers to your car questions. Find a mechanic, hear past shows, play the puzzler, join our discussion boards, and learn safe driving tips. Both the pump and the exhaust are normal repairs for a van this old, if it’s otherwise working fine I’d do it. p.s. - as in the WWII Flying Tigers? That’s great, can’t tell you how many P-40 models I built as a child. My parents were captured in Manilla at the start of the war, luckily (and obviously) survived. [http://www.acejackets.com/v/vspfiles/photos/FL1014-2T.jpg](http://www.acejackets.com/v/vspfiles/photos/FL1014-2T.jpg) [![](http://b-29s-over-korea.com/texhill/images/Flying-Tigers.jpg) ](http://b-29s-over-korea.com/texhill/images/Flying-Tigers.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/6 "2010-07-14T15:48:04Z")
Folks, I’m baffled, I just had a factual (and, I had hoped, helpful) post here sent to the ‘moderation queue’. Anyone have an idea why? Here’s what it said (without a picture of some airplanes and a patch: "I don’t have a good handle on those repair costs, but they don’t sound out of the ordinary. If you’ve had good experience with this shop in the past, then I’d do it. Otherwise, use the ‘mechanic finder’ on this site to find one others recommend: > **[Mechanics Files](https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files)** > > Car Talk from NPR. Car advice, tips, troubleshooting, and answers to your car questions. Find a mechanic, hear past shows, play the puzzler, join our discussion boards, and learn safe driving tips. Both the pump and the exhaust are normal repairs for a van this old, if it’s otherwise working fine I’d do it. p.s. - as in the WWII Flying Tigers? That’s great, can’t tell you how many P-40 models I built as a child. My parents were captured in Manilla at the start of the war, luckily (and obviously) survived." ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/7 "2010-07-14T19:01:07Z")
I’ve been baffled a number of times by totally innoculous and possibly helpful posts I’ve made that were moved to the “moderation Queue”. I’ve given up wondering. ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/8 "2010-07-14T19:29:27Z")
Are these dealer or a local mechanic prices? I suggest getting a second opinion if possible. Ed B. ---
**Author:** ![Flytiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Flytiger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flytiger)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/9 "2010-07-14T20:50:35Z")
Local mechanic. Checked price with Pep Boys-they quoted $487 for the pump. The problem started with loud metal noise, when starting engine in A.M. As the engine warmed the noise was quite. Yesterday the mechanic diagnosed the problem as the steering pump. Today the noise is complete gone. The Rep at Pep Boys , ‘sounds like the bushings’. ---
**Author:** ![Flytiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Flytiger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flytiger)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/10 "2010-07-14T20:58:22Z")
Thanks for the response. Satisfied with the shops past performance. I bet your parents suffered. Were they missionaries? P 40s was a tough & great machine. Eventually replaced with the Mustang. Would be nice to be 20 again; just for one week. Spent most of my overseas time in Kunming & Yankai. Hubbah Hao- Roger out. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/11 "2010-07-14T23:47:12Z")
Fix the van. Since you can’t afford a new one, and this one has a good track record. This is a cheap way to get back your good van. Depending on the shop’s labor rate ( different accross the country ) the price doesn’t sound bad. An Auto Zone pump is $136.00 plus three quarts of fluid. Get a new belt while you’re in there. The labor for a minivan with a v6 transverse mounted engine can’t be cheap and don’t short change your mechanic for investing his/her time for such. ---
**Author:** ![Flytiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Flytiger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flytiger)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/12 "2010-07-15T21:31:30Z")
Hey Ed- WOW! Got goose bumps. Looks like the prime AAF Base, Kunming. My barracks was about 50 yards from the flight line; Hostel 10. Here are a few good webs; [www.ex-cbi-roundup.com](http://www.ex-cbi-roundup.com) Story re my attempted rescue of a A-26 crash at Yankai. Our Sq.(69th Depot Repair Sq., 301st Air Depot Group ); [www.flyingtigers69thdrs.org](http://www.flyingtigers69thdrs.org) I am 88, good health. Work out three days a week. Attended 14th AFA & 69th DRS reunions 1980-2007. Ding Hao, Marty ---
**Author:** ![Flytiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Flytiger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Flytiger)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/power-steering-pump/51773/13 "2010-07-15T21:38:13Z")
Thanx to you and all for the input. Repairing Minnie.@ $750. + Tax. Look out for a '93 beige Villager with front Flying Tiger tag doin 90 on I-95!