“Power steering leak” $4400 repair.

I just got my oil changed and the dealer is telling me it’s in need of a $4400 repair.

106,000 miles.

This sounds a bit shady. I don’t see anything leaking after I park. I will def get a 2nd opinion but I am 2200 miles from
home. They didn’t provide any pictures or anything.

I hope to God this is wrong.

He mentioned the steering will feel off. I don’t feel anything in my steering than I did from day 1.

 

Mine leaked for years on my 2009. I just topped it off when needed. When I had the time, I changed it myself.
Don't let them scare you into dealer repairs, nothing is going to fall off. Just get a bottle & check it when you fuel up.

 

My steering rack has been leaking since like 30k. I've only ever had to add in a few drops very recently. Go look at any tacomas inner tie rod boots and they will all be wet, nearly guaranteed hah.

 

When a shop doesn't break out parts and labor, it's right to question it. If it's not a high pressure side leak it's not a huge deal but if they're not giving you info then... yeah.

 

Same here, the rack was leaking for past 4 years. Still attached though.

 

I fig so, I guess they see NC plates in Bozeman and be like: Lets see how big of a sucker this guy is.

 

Their quote is about 4 times of what a reasonable and honest charge should be. Just because repairs are done at a dealer there is no guarantee you actually get factory parts, and at times they will charge more for the parts when they are doing the labor vs buying the part from the parts department.

 

Maybe they'll throw in a blinker fluid change as well. Ask them about their special on muffler bearing replacements. They are trying to take you for a ride, my friend. I'd go on social media and tear them a new one.

 

A quick look at Olathe shows an OE rack at 650, tie rods at 400/pair, pump and resi 400, and hoses/cooler 1k... even charging shop rate, I could replace the whole system for 4k.

 

All tacoma racks leak sooner or later, you replace them once the leak saturates the boots and/or the fluid constantly needs to be topped up.

Just note it and move on.

I despise changing them, its a pain on 4wd models. I think its 6 hours labour plus parts, not quite 4000$ though, rack should be 1200$ plus 2 tie rods 2-300$? plus fluid.

 

Not mocking the OP ... just showing a picture of the joke that we know "blinker fluid" is ...

 

I got an oem used rack on eBay for $200 with inner and outer tie rods and installed it myself. It sucked but I would do it again before spending a ton of money.

my old rack leaked for years (wetness around boots) before it started dripping. Even after dripping I topped it off once a month, but had to replace due to a crash fully taking it out.

 

Now that's funny! I am also not mocking the OP, I'm just disgusted at the shenanigans these crooks try to pull. I'd have laughed that ar**hole right out of the shop...of course, I wouldn't have been in there in the first place. I have a reasonable amount of trust for my dealer, having done business with them for 20 years, but for strange dealers....0% trust.

 

I expect it to be more for sure. But yeah $4400 is insane - the last car I did a rack on was about $1100.

 

Well my question was more geared towards the mileage and the leaking - Like how normal is it with Tacomas. Leaking fluid of any kind is a sign of issues for sure. I live in a non harsh environment with good roads that is why I was shocked to even hear them mention this. And my last oil change they didn’t mention it just 2 months ago.

I only use the dealer for oil changes due to the consistency of whose wrenching on the plug - and so they can’t point a finger if someone strips it and it leaks - this happened on my last car and it was good I had shop records bc the last shop had 2 techs sign off on the work.

I’d love to find a reputable local small shop but it’s been difficult to get a rapport going.

 

There must be a lot more to it than a 1st gen, which is the extent of my experience.

 

The upsale pressure must be insane at that shop.

Hell to the nah, brah! Tell them you are taking it to Carvana to get another truck.

 

Just ordered with Amazon Prime

 

It’s Bozeman MT - so it has been Calforniaized - I could tell the minute I got to town.

But I needed to get in for a oil change on this 6000 mile trip.

 

The picture of the rack in the quote looks like any other steering rack…. so who knows.

Like the others said - the price is insanely inflated. Usually I expect maybe a doubling in price compared to a regular shop, but 4x. LLLLLOOOLL.

Them California prices have migrated to Montana. At least to Bozeman.