So My Power steering went out. My mechanic told me i needed a new rack. We called the delearship a new one runs me about $500.
He called this place in melbourne fl and they have a used one for 400.
My mechanic is going to charge me bout 156 labor.
What do you guys think i should do????

I also need a transmission filter kit (which cost around 75 im guessing) , and he is going to charge me 65 labor for that. he will take care of the oil and etc.

Where do you guys think i can get these parts for a better price?
if there is any place.
All my money is going to court fees for my fun trip in vegas -_____________-

I appreciate it guys.

 

did you check the infamous wire harness that sometimes causes the power steering to go out?

if not, towards the top of your screen, click on the drop down arrow next to search and select advanced search
in the keywords section, type 'power steering'
use the drop down to search 'thread titles'

many of us have had power steering issues but rarely is the whole R&P replaced. It's worth checking that harness if it can save you a few hundred dollars.

 

He checked the connectors but i dnt know if he checked the wire harness... Ill go back and ask.
Hes vietnamesse so its hard to understand him but hes a great mechanic.
But thanks Jedi i appreciate the fast response.

 

any time.
Let us know how it goes, hopefully it's just the damn wire harness. Has your car overheated or been in hot weather lately?

damn coolant overflow hose...

 

Bwuwhahaha I live in south Fla -________________-
So it get's hot here.
Im sorry for me being not the smartest man with cars but Can you explain the wire harness and what happens to make it malfunction.
Or the coolant overflow hose?
Thanks man, my specialty is in saving lives not cars hahaha..
i appreciate it

 

haha, no worries we're here to help.

Here's the thread I was hoping you'd find: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...power+steering

Many people in hot climates have reported that the coolant overflow bottle can boil over and when that coolant exits via the short rubber hose, guess where it drips...
The hose hovers directly above the main power steering harness and if coolant or debris gets in there, it can cause the harness to stop working properly, you'll get the Power Steering light on, and your PS will turn off.



pictures I took when I was replacing my harness.

 

Thanks brother i really appreciate it..
So tell me exactly what im lookin for in the first and second picture

 

in the 1st picture: see the little black hose at the top? That's where coolant goes when the overflow tank needs to release some.
It unfortunately isn't the greatest design because directly below it, you'll see two gray connectors, one of them is your Power Steering.


2nd picture: shows the intake box removed in order to gain access to the rest of that harness that you see the connector for in the 1st pic. You can disconnect them, spray a bunch of electric contact cleaner, plug them back in and hope that fixes your problem.
I chose to simply remove the entire harness and replace it with a new one because some who have cleaned their harness report the issue returning down the road. Some people never have the issue again but I didn't want to take the chance.


Here is what the entire harness looks like:

 

Don't forget to extend the overflow tube to below the fans. Even if the connection is not the problem, this would help prevent it from ever becoming one.

-Shawn

 

^^^ 10 points for this man.

 

The connector to the relay and steering computer have been known to be a problem as well. If the rack is fubarred..you should get a torque sensor code and a CEL

 

Dannobre i have no idea what u just said lol..
But jedi and litters of fury Thanks guysss...

 

Basically...if you don't have a CEL ( check engine light) and a rack code....it is likely wiring.

The usual spot is the connectors in the sub harness like the pictures above...but there are other spots that this wiring can have a poor connection. Another is under the the ECU where the connector joins the steering control module.......

 

Jedi ur the ****** man, if i was a woman i would kiss you rite now... thank you for puttin it in plain terms for me. im going to try that tomoroow...
So how do u guys do all this, in ur garage at home?
and were did you get ur wire harness from new?

 

DAnnobre thanks to u, well basically my check engine light and coolant light have been on for over 2 years im guessin now, the guys at delray mazda told me its just a sensor problem and that nothin is wrong...

1. The main thing that i basically got uste to that was wrong with my car is that it doesnt start instantly. It basically cranks up like 1,2,3 and on the 4th round it starts... And this has been like this for god knows how long...

 

I use a friends garage nearby, or drive to my parents home for big things. Simple stuff I just do it in my Apt. complex's parking lot.

The harness's part number - F151-67-SH0B
onlinemazdaparts.com should have it, but it seems their website is having issues right now and won't load for me.
You can get it from the dealership too.

-Shawn

 

Quick question guys. The Transmission filter kit, can i only purchase that from the dealership or what?

 

I've never heard of an A/T filter kit for this transmission. The only maintenance I've ever read about was just changing the fluid. I would be curious to know if replacement filters exist...

 

I just spoke to the dealership they told me that its not a kit its more of a strainer that the mechanics ask for? whatever that is... anyone wanna emphasize more?

 

Me thinks you need a new mechanic for starters.

Before you run out and even purchase the steeringf hrness...........have you taken the advice to clean the connectors/pins yet and try that? Then if that doesn't do it, you can go after the harness.
More than one person was sold a rack when not needed!!!!!!!



In terms of Tranny filter............I doubt you need that either!

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=139143_0_0_

Here is what the AT filter looks like. Hovever I ageee with my fellow Dave that you probabaly dont need it. how many miles on the tranny and the curent fluid? Also why do you think you need to replace the filter? Just curious on the reason why.

 

I haven't done so yet cause im busier then life itself. but im going to this week..
Im pretty sure i just have to clean it.
its weird. When i first turn it on in the morning i have no ps problems but as soon as i turn it off and back on, it goes on me...
But if i let it rest for a wihle it usually works just fine...
i called the dealership they told me its not even a filter he said when the mechanics ask em they ask for a strainer? can someone explain better... he basically said its not a kit?

OOOO and my car has 112,000 miles

 

The reason why is because my mechanic told me.... i dnt think he would try to jip me..
but who knows... he usually looks out for me

 

Ok guys thank's for all ur help, but what i figoured was going to happen happened..
When my mechanic did the transmission flush he also cleaned the wiring harness and what not. the car was great for about a week and a half. but now my p.s went out again :'(
what i dont get is how it works sometimes and it will go out again? weird...
but he told me he was going to clean it again, any more suggestions guys. thanks...
if all else fails i think im just going to get a new wire harness hopefully that is all i will need.

P.S He charged me 125 total for transmission flush and to clean wire harness.... You guys think it was a good price...

 

$500 for a NEW rack? Where?

Most dealerships charge $2000+ for these.