Power Steering Pump

[Jansen]

2004 5.3L V8, 40000 miles. My truck has been making a grinding noise on cold start (Ohio, so below 30ºF) since the first of the year. I pulled it in the garage and noticed the power steering pump was wet....out to the pulley. The dealer said the front gasket is leaking but the bearings they aren't sure about. I said thanks for stating the obvious. I asked the dealer if they would be willing to help me out on cost, since the truck is 4000 miles out of warranty and has an extensive list of warranty work. The service guy doesn't think this will happen.

 

Long story short, they want $225 to replace the gasket and $425 to replace the pump (if the bearings are bad).

 

The service rep also told me the grinding noise might be air in the lines from the gasket being more open when cold. I really doubt this.

 

Anyone else see this problem on their truck at this mileage? Autozone sells the complete assembly for $75, so GM can pound sand before I pay someone $400 to put a pump on.

 

So much for reliability eh?

 

Jansen