Steering and Suspension Concerns

[Swiveltech]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post here on the Forum, but I've visited a few times thanks to the helpful information given. Now I might need some more in-depth PT counseling.

Mine is a 2001 Limited Edition with 111,000 miles. I keep it regularly maintained--even having the wheel beads cleaned in the colder months to prevent tire/wheel wear. It runs very nicely, but....

Here's my story: I took it to the local Chrysler dealer last week for NYS inspection (taking a gamble on which mechanic to choose since I recently moved and hardly any reviews are available online for most places), and it failed. The reason? The advisor told me that the power steering line was leaking, I needed a--A (singular is important, here)--control arm bushing replaced in the front, and new pads/rotors. The estimate? $1900 OEM, $1600 aftermarket.

Before I go on, I'll tell you what my car does when driving:

- A slight growling noise when idle, louder when steering; higher in pitch when I increase driving speed; loudest and deepest when turning the wheel at the slowest speeds.

- A slight shuddering when turning at higher speeds (45mph and up); think of the noise you'd make if driving over tiny, evenly-spaced bumps or grooves on the highway (not like a rumble strip--a slower tempo).

Okay, back to the story. The brakes issue is an easy solution, and I've got that covered. But that much money for what the guy listed?! I looked into it--parts and the labor involved--and the cost just didn't add up; roughly, around 20% of the estimate. By then I had realized my mistake in going to a dealership service center without a warranty.

So I go back and ask for a copy of the estimate (since he only gave me a $21 receipt for the inspection), and then he refuses to give me one, claiming he already did (not), and then verbally lists the things I needed done, which suddenly CHANGED.

- Not the power steering line, but the ENTIRE GEAR. I asked, what about the line? "Yeah, that too."

- "Which front control arm bushing did you say again?" "Uhhhhh...both of them."


SO, PT CRUISER FORUM HELPERS! It's obvious to me that I've been given the ollll' run-around by these guys, so I'm hoping that YOU can help me figure out what the likely problem with my car is. PLEASE AND THANK YOU?


btw: I have since gotten a recommendation to a far more honest mechanic and will be getting my PT re-inspected in a few days. Regardless of the outcome, I would really like to have that steering problem solved and fixed before too long.

Oh...did I mention the guy in the service department refused to give me a 10-day temporary sticker? Yyyyyeah, because that's exactly what he did.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
Go to the second mechanic and take it from there.
Hard to say what PS problem is - could be just a leak.

[Swiveltech]

Yeah, that's the plan. I'm now researching prices for a PS gear and found another lie in the advisor's spiel: "Those things, ALONE, run about $800." WHERE ARE THEY BUYING THEIR PARTS FROM??? lol

And thank you, btw, for the welcome.

[geronimo]

Swiveltech,

I'm not a genius when it comes to cars by any means and have had no experience working with the power steering system. However, I had (at 60k!) some of the same problems you have and they were remedied by bearings, bushings, rotors, and pads. Maybe have your mechanic check
those a little more closely. Also check the CV boots and joints.

Question: Is the growling at idle happen when you're in drive and moving (however slowly) or in park? If you're moving I would point to your bearings.

That dealer was definitely pinching you. One thing I can say is that you probably do need new bushings. They're weak sauce and a lot of people have had them replaced much much much earlier than 111k. Bushings at my dealer ran about 250 installed. For little pieces of rubber, those things are a B to replace. The dealer charges for 2.5 hours or so per side.

Hope this helps give you an idea where you should look. Your new mechanic can probably give you more insight into your car than I can. Best of Luck. Keep us posted.

[quicksilverdon]

BUNCH OF PARTS FOR SALE !!

[Mal]

My '01 currently has the exact same problems. I was sure the power steering leak was a line but it turned out to be the pressure switch. I have been having suspension noises for some time so don't doubt my mech's diagnosis of both ball joints and control arms. He said such wear is common on the Cruiser and Neon. He is good but expensive and I'm going to let him have the job because I don't have the time. He quoted $1k for the works.

For a comparison, he did the timing belt and waterpump about a year ago for $1100 and said I needed brakes. I did the brakes myself and I recommend it as they are quite easy..... The entire power steering rack is about $450 in the aftermarket but $600 to 700 at the dealer.

[Swiveltech]

Hi Mal (and everyone else),

The brakes are definitely not an issue with me as far as difficulty goes.

And, for now, neither is the power steering...anymore. It turns out it just needed a good flushing. Since money is an issue with me I figured I'd go with the options I can afford this week--namely, brake pads and power steering fluids. I used 2 quarts of ATF+4 and a quart of Penzoil PS Fluid Plus Conditioner, along with a simple siphon bulb system. Ran it through about 6 or 7 cycles, using the PS+C last, of course. The groaning is GONE. The 8-mile ride back home from my friend's garage (it helps to know people, huh?) was nice and quiet, aside from...

the control arm bushings. I took a look under the car and, OH yeah, the rear isolator bushings on both sides are just plain f***ed up. But at least I now know what IS and ISN'T the real problem and/or the cause of my failed inspection.

I took my car to the other mech earlier this week and the guy was very cool and very honest with me. Basically, if I (or they) show that the brake pads and bushing issues have been repaired, $10 and the reinspection will be no problem.

I'm beginning to feel very positive right now....

[geronimo]

Congrats on cheap fix and a passed emissions test!