Power steering gone on '00 T&C Pt. II - Pump & rack shot

Thanks to the replies re my '00 Chrysler Town & Country's power
steering problems. We checked the fluid and the reservoir was empty
(my bro checked it, I'm use a wheelchair and couldn't see). My bro
said something was probably wrong as it shouldn't be totally empty. A
friend topped it off w/no results.

My local Chrysler svc center looked at it today and said the power
steering pump "blew up" and sent particles into the rack & pinion
screwing it up. I asked what could have caused that but he wasn't
sure, he said some type of "restriction" occurred, perhaps a valve
failed.

Anyone familiar w/this? The van was running fine that day, we'd
stopped at a store but when backing out of a parking space the power
steering was no longer functioning, there were no strange noises when
it happened. The mechanic said I'm looking at a $1600 charge, most of
that is for the rack & I think labor involved in installing it.That
seems quite steep but then I'm not too familiar w/what's involved re
parts & labor. Does that price seem right to y'all? I live in a part
of CT w/an expensive zip code. Unfortunately, the zip is the only
thing I've got in common w/others in town so this repair will really
sting!

I try to keep on top of maintaining the van and checking fluids
regularly but got to admit I haven't checked the PS fluid in a wile,
may have been back in Dec. when Chrysler did a tune up. Is it normal
for PS fluid to run out in that period of time or perhaps there was a
leak somewhere?

Thanks for any info, enough rambling, I need a drink!


Dan G. in CT

Think "used parts yard" for the parts and ask them to recommend a local guy
to do the install. Likely cost you under $500.00.

Richard