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I recently took my 2007 Honda Civic 2-door to the dealership for a 90k service. Afterwords, I was advised that the power steering pump needs to be 'resealed'.
I decided it would be best to first do a price comparison. The other Honda dealerships I called quoted me a similar price to the one I was already quoted. I called several independent auto repair shops and the best price quoted was less than half that of the Honda dealerships. One independent repair shop even offered to replace the power steering pump for a price comparable to 'resealing' it at the dealerships.
Now, I would obviously be a fool to have the work done at the dealership when an independent repair shop is 50% cheaper. So that is the route in which I am leaning. However, I am intrigued by the offer to get the pump replaced. I am not auto repair savvy; as a result, does the pump need to be replaced? Or is it best to go the 'reseal' route with the understanding that the power steering pump will remain in working order for the foreseeable future?
Did you ask another shop if it really needed to be done? That's what I would do first, unless there are obvious problems with the steering that you've noticed. There are apparently telltale signs of a seal problem that you can see under the hood by observing the fluid reservoir, etc.
I have 217k on my power steering pump without doing such a thing. Admittedly it's older (2000) but it is a Honda product. Heck I even just had all the belts replaced at the dealer and they didn't try to get me to do such a thing. It's hard not to suspect that your dealer is suggesting a service of marginal benefit. (There's a reason some people call it the stealership.) But I suppose it could be something that happens more often to the newer units, or that you just had some bad luck with yours.
Replace vs reseal probably would not have any particular benefit. Unless you spec a brand new one from Honda the replacement will be a rebuilt unit anyway. Apparently these units are pretty easy to reseal; otherwise it would be more common to replace the whole pump.
I just double checked the power steering fluid reservoir and the fluid level looks perfectly fine. Also note that I had the 90k service done over 6 weeks ago- so you would think if there was truly a leak the levels would be low by now. I have not even noticed any condensation on the garage floor that would indicate any such leak. And since the car steers without flaw, it appears as if I am being 'played' by the dealership.
Still, I am going to follow your suggestion and make a few more calls to verify if the repair even needs to be done. Thanks for the smart advise.
So far, I have not read that the pump is leaking. If it is not leaking, why "re-seal" it?
Thank you. He must have the same mechanic that advised me I needed rear brakes on my '02 F-150 when I brought it in for the gas tank strap recall. They lasted another 35,000 miles.
I recently took my 2007 Honda Civic 2-door to the dealership for a 90k service. Afterwords, I was advised that the power steering pump needs to be 'resealed'.
I decided it would be best to first do a price comparison. The other Honda dealerships I called quoted me a similar price to the one I was already quoted. I called several independent auto repair shops and the best price quoted was less than half that of the Honda dealerships. One independent repair shop even offered to replace the power steering pump for a price comparable to 'resealing' it at the dealerships.
Now, I would obviously be a fool to have the work done at the dealership when an independent repair shop is 50% cheaper. So that is the route in which I am leaning. However, I am intrigued by the offer to get the pump replaced. I am not auto repair savvy; as a result, does the pump need to be replaced? Or is it best to go the 'reseal' route with the understanding that the power steering pump will remain in working order for the foreseeable future?
Seals rarely go out on power steering pumps - and when they do, it's obvious. You lose your fluid.
Chances are these guys are just trying to lie their way into getting you to pay for unneeded repairs.
Milking the customer. My in-law, as he has arms growing out of his ars, not his shoulders, where it comes to cars (being carpet installer though) simply takes a lengthy and many hundreds of dollars worth "to do list" to me, I review it, check on what they slapped onto it, and either do it myself, or tell him not to worry about it. He goes to Toyota dealership for routine maintenance, they hit him with such a list every time.
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He must have the same mechanic that advised me I needed rear brakes on my '02 F-150 when I brought it in for the gas tank strap recall. They lasted another 35,000 miles.
