Steering Gear Box Replacement Cost

sThe steering gearbox, whether manual or automatic, is used to turn the wheels when the steering wheel is turned. If this component isn’t functioning normally, then your car may not operate like it should and may begin to leak power steering fluid.

You will pay anywhere from $600 to $800 for a steering gear box replacement. Labor should run you between $150 and $190, while parts should cost somewhere between $470 and $630. Of course, these figures don’t take taxes into account, nor do they include mechanic’s fees, which can significantly increase the cost of this repair for you. The kind of car you have factors in heavily into how much you will pay and which end of the price range your repairs will fall on.

Steering Gear Box Replacement Cost Comparison

Your Mechanic

Midas

Mr. Tire

NAPA

Walmart

Amazon

What Is Steering Gear Box Replacement?

There is a lot of prep works that goes into replacing the steering gearbox. The fluid has to be drained, parts have to be moved out of the way, and the gearbox has to be located. All this takes time, and how long it takes and how much it costs will depend on the kind of car you have. Expect to spend about 2-3 hours in the shop getting the vehicle repaired, but more, if the problem has spread or been allowed to persist for a while.

Benefits of Steering Gear Box Replacement

The sooner you get this issue fixed, the less you will pay for repairs for future problems. It’s definitely in your best interests to get the steering gear box fixed quickly, and you’ll benefit in the long run with fewer repair costs and less time spent in the shop. You’ll also save on power steering fluid, which is usually leaking when you have a steering gearbox problem. There are simply a lot of issues that would be difficult to predict upfront that you can avoid by getting this problem fixed as soon as possible.

What Is Done during Steering Gear Box Replacement?

The mechanic will need to locate the steering gearbox, first of all, then drain out the power steering fluid. From there, he will have to remove the steering column and the arm ball joint. Once all that is out of the way, he can disconnect the gearbox from its electrical connectors, take out the gearbox, and replace it with a new one. That box can be hooked back into the electrical wires and the steering column put back in place as well. Once all that is finished, the mechanic will refill the power steering fluid and then check everything for leaks.

When to Get Steering Gear Box Replacement

You may still be able to use the steering wheel when the steering gear box starts to malfunction, but the car will likely be leaking power steering fluid. It will also probably make a grinding or squeaking noises, and the mounting area may wear out quickly as the steering gear moves back and forth on its own. A lot of the problems will seem superficial and may not affect the control you have over the car or how it operates, but they will be causing interior damage that you may not notice.

Usually, if there is a problem with the steering gear box, then there is kind ofa leak. How much of a leak there is will determine if you can drive it. A small leak will be okay to drive with, while a larger one means you need to get your vehicle towed immediately.

You don’t want to drive for very long with this problem, so be sure to get it fixed as soon as you can.

How to Save Money on Steering Gear Box Replacement

Those looking to shave off some of the cost by doing the replacement themselves should make sure they know what they are doing. Someone with experience in replacing the steering gear box won’t have any trouble doing the job on their own, but the inexperienced should leave this to a professional.

If you can’t do the job yourself, then you can always try to save money by comparing prices for the replacement. You can compare labor costs from different mechanics, or you can source parts for yourself to get the best deal possible.

Sample Steering Gear Box Replacement Costs