dtrack
05-24-2016, 01:05 PM
My daughter just bought a used 2010 Mazda 3 with 59,000km.
I test drove it on the streets of Toronto, everything seemed fine. I drove it to her home in London and everything seemed fine.
But when my daughter drove it and tried to manoeuvre into her tight parking space the problem revealed itself. The steering wheel is very difficult to turn when the wheels are stationary.
Everything is fine if the wheels are rolling, even very slowly, but when stationary it takes a good effort with both arms.
I tried a friends 2007 and I could pretty much spin the steering wheel from lock to lock with one finger.
Fluid level is fine and doesn't look or smell dirty or burned. No unusual sounds.
I've contacted the used car lot where she bought the car (certified) and they are giving me the " it seemed fine when I drove it" line.
They've asked me to bring it in and "maybe we need to change the fluid"
I live 3.5 hours away so I really don't want to waste a 7 hour round trip if that's all they are gonna do.
So my questions are.
First to any other 2010 or similar owners, how easy is it to turn your wheels (stock alloys) when stationary? One finger? One hand? two hands?
Also I phoned a couple of Mazda dealers and was quoted over $900 for a new pump!!
But one said that just the top part, the "body," is available separately for $133. She didn't know much more than that.
I found this diagram online:
http://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/images/parts/mazda/fullsize/4B22VW1.jpg
Is the top part (32-600A) the actual pump itself? is that all that would require replacement?
Is the bottom part the electric motor? Is that more likely to be the problem than the pump itself?
For $133 plus my local mechanic's labour I'm thinking I'd rather go that route than driving to Toronto and fighting with this guy.
Appreciate any feedback.
Thanks
I test drove it on the streets of Toronto, everything seemed fine. I drove it to her home in London and everything seemed fine.
But when my daughter drove it and tried to manoeuvre into her tight parking space the problem revealed itself. The steering wheel is very difficult to turn when the wheels are stationary.
Everything is fine if the wheels are rolling, even very slowly, but when stationary it takes a good effort with both arms.
I tried a friends 2007 and I could pretty much spin the steering wheel from lock to lock with one finger.
Fluid level is fine and doesn't look or smell dirty or burned. No unusual sounds.
I've contacted the used car lot where she bought the car (certified) and they are giving me the " it seemed fine when I drove it" line.
They've asked me to bring it in and "maybe we need to change the fluid"
I live 3.5 hours away so I really don't want to waste a 7 hour round trip if that's all they are gonna do.
So my questions are.
First to any other 2010 or similar owners, how easy is it to turn your wheels (stock alloys) when stationary? One finger? One hand? two hands?
Also I phoned a couple of Mazda dealers and was quoted over $900 for a new pump!!
But one said that just the top part, the "body," is available separately for $133. She didn't know much more than that.
I found this diagram online:
http://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/images/parts/mazda/fullsize/4B22VW1.jpg
Is the top part (32-600A) the actual pump itself? is that all that would require replacement?
Is the bottom part the electric motor? Is that more likely to be the problem than the pump itself?
For $133 plus my local mechanic's labour I'm thinking I'd rather go that route than driving to Toronto and fighting with this guy.
Appreciate any feedback.
Thanks