Having a perfect power steering pump is important because it helps you to handle the steering smoothly. While choosing one, you need to be very careful as driving comfort is directly related to it.
If your power steering pump is damaged and you need a new one, Cardone can offer you one. It has supplied a lot of such steering pumps in the market. So, finding one won’t be hard for you at all.
I know that you already have some knowledge about Cardone, and the power steering pumps offered by it. Here in this article, I’ll be telling about these pumps and recommending one for you. I hope this would aid you to determine between going for Cardone or not.
I’ve written this article based on user reviews, product manuals, expert opinions, and personal experience. So, you can depend on what I’m saying. It won’t disappoint you. Without talking more, let’s start by knowing a bit about Cardone.
Who Makes Cardone Power Steering Pump?
In 1934, Michael Cardone Sr. started the journey of Cardone with the motto- ‘We make it Better. It started with a windshield wiper motor. The first Cardone factory was established in 1970 with only 6 people.
Soon the factory started to expand. Within 1985, the Cardone product line became rich with several remanufactured automotive parts. The family gained 1,000 members within 1987. The journey of expansion and improvement is still continuing.
Within this time, Cardone has achieved several milestones in the business. In 2019, Brookfield purchased Cardone to take it to a new height.
Cardone improves the operations through flawless and honest collaboration among the departments of the company. Also, it focuses mostly on the requirements of the customers. It looks through the customers’ lens to know what actually they’re searching for. This approach has turned Cardone into one of the best aftermarket automotive part suppliers in the industry.
Cardone Power Steering Pump Review [Editor’s Choice]
Cardone 96-69849 New Power Steering Pump
If you’re searching for a power steering pump that offers superior strength, extreme durability, and optimal performance, Cardone 96-069849 is the one you can go for. This is one of the most perfect aftermarket power steering pumps within the budget it comes.
It is the result of a careful design and precise manufacturing approach done by the Cardone engineers. As a result, it offers a performance that many others from the same brand can’t do. Let’s know the reasons behind choosing it.
- Quality
It is made with quality material that keeps it safe from strong impacts. As a result, it doesn’t break easily. Also, high-temperature seals of premium grade are used to build this. The seals allow it to operate smoothly even in high temperatures and different driving conditions.
- Fully Tested
Before offering it to the market, Cardone tested it with the help of computer load testing using real-life parameters. Thus, it ensures the dependable performance and durability of each of the pumps.
- Reduced Noise and Vibration
To minimize the noise and vibration, Cardone has used précised busing elements here. Less vibration means less chance of tearing and wearing the surface. Thus, it emphasizes durability too.
- Easy-to-Install
It comes with a reservoir attached to it. So, you won’t have to put a huge time and effort into getting it installed in your vehicle. As it is manufactured for vehicle-specific applications, be careful about picking the right one.
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Pros
Cons
Alternative Pick to the Editor’s Recommendation
Cardone 96-1039 New Power Steering Pump without Reservoir
If you think that the pump I’ve recommended is out of your budget or not suitable for you, you can go for Cardone 96-1039. It comes without the reservoir, which has made the price lower. Still, it can meet or exceed the OE performance for you.
It is made with the help of Cardone Select Engineering technology developed and owned by Cardone. This is the result of 40 years of expertise in reverse engineering. So, you can trust this pump without bothering about the quality.
Just like the previous one, high-quality material is used to make the pump. As a result, you’ll find it supporting you for a long time. Durability is also ensured by the high-grade temperature seals used in it. The seals have made it suitable for use in extreme weather conditions.
To keep it performing for a long time, Cardone has reduced the vibration and noise as much as possible.
Overall, this is another good power steering pump from Cardone. If you’re looking for one that is durable, dependable, and comes within a low budget, pick it without any hesitation. Don’t forget to match the vehicle model.
Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying a Power Steering Pump
Compatibility
Never pick one that is not compatible with your vehicle. Power steering pumps differ depending on the vehicle model. So, picking the wrong one is not going to help you anyway. Check and make sure that you’re choosing the perfect one for your vehicle model.
Type of the Pump
You’ll find three types of power steering pumps- Roller, Rotary Vane, and Slipper Pump. Not all types of pumps are appropriate for your vehicle. So, don’t pick anything before knowing the type of pump your vehicle accepts. Know it first and then search for that specific type of pump.
Quality and Durability
Don’t compromise the quality of the pump. Make sure that you’re selecting the pumps made with quality material. This is because the power steering pumps face huge pressure while operating. If it is not made with good materials, it won’t last long. You don’t want to spend more than a hundred bucks on something that doesn’t last long.
Additional Features
Besides the basic features a power steering pump comes with, it should have some additional features too that can make it more durable, increase the performance, or deliver some other advantage. Picking one with some additional features is good, I think. So, if you find something like this within your budget, try to pick that.
Price
You must have thought of a budget for the pump you’re going to purchase. I suggest going for the best one, even if you need to increase the budget a bit. You’ll find several power steering pumps within the range of 100-250 USD. You’ll find some coming in a higher price range.
Brand
Brand matters a bit in this case. Top brands offer some amazing parts. I suggest going for those. The value brands offer can’t be replaced with anything. However, while looking for a brand, make sure that it is not the only thing you’re focusing on. Check the quality and reviews too.
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Is it Okay to Drive with a Bad Power Steering Pump?
You can drive your vehicle with a bad or damaged power steering pump, but you won’t enjoy the experience. As a result, you can’t continue it for a long time.
This component is mainly used to make steering smoother and easier. So, when it is damaged or bad, you’ll feel that the steering is not working as easily as before. You need to put more effort into handling the vehicle. Driving won’t remain comfortable at all.
Besides causing a drastic change in driving and handling comfort, it might cause accidents too. As the steering can’t control the vehicle with the minimum effort that it used to do, your instinct of controlling it won’t help you much in some situations. This might end up in serious damage and injuries.
Also, when the power steering pump is bad, instead of helping in the steering system, it might hamper the regular flow of the system. When the system flow is hampered, the parts of the system might start getting damaged. So, driving with a bad steering pump for a long time might damage several other components too.
So, as we think, driving with a bad power steering pump is not okay for anyone. You should get it fixed as soon as possible for a smooth driving experience.
Signs of a Bad Power Steering Pump
As it is risky to drive with a bad power steering pump, you need to know the signs showing that the pump is bad or broken. Below are the common signs of such a broken or bad pump.
Squealing Noise
If the pump is dysfunctional, it makes a squealing sound when you use the steering. This happens because of the friction with other components and parts around.
Also, it works with fluid. When the fluid level becomes low, the steering gears don’t work properly. This also causes a squealing noise.
When you hear such a noise while steering, have a look at the power steering pump. You might need to fix it or change it.
Steering becomes Tough
A power steering pump is used to make steering easy and comfortable. So, if you find that steering is not as comfortable as before, you need to check the pump first.
Such situations might happen sometimes or become fixed. No matter how frequently it happens, check the power steering pump. This might cause a serious accident, especially when you’re driving fast.
Steering becomes Jerky
Sometimes you might see that your steering is working well and suddenly stops working for a few seconds. Such jerky steering is another sign saying that you have to replace or fix the power steering pump as soon as possible. When it is faulty because of changing its place or position, such problems happen.
Also, low fluid is another reason behind such jerky steering.
Metal Flakes in Power Steering Fluid
While checking the power steering fluid, if you see any metal flakes in it, it might come from the damaged pump. The pump is a component that works directly with the fluid. So, such situations focus on the possibility of a broken pump.
In this case, check the pump and make sure that it is okay.
Knocking Noise
If you hear a loud knocking noise from the power steering system, there is a huge chance that the pump or any part of the system is almost broken. In such a case, get the system checked by an expert as fast as you can. If you don’t fix the system after hearing such noise, be prepared for further damage.
How to Replace Power Steering Pump
FAQs About Power Steering Pump
How much does a garage charge to set up a power steering pump?
The cost of getting it installed in your vehicle differs depending on the complexity of the vehicle and the place where you’re doing it. Typically, you won’t have to spend more than 150 USD to get the job done (there are exceptions though).
A typical range of cost of getting it installed is around 80-150 USD.
How many hours does it need to replace a power steering pump in my vehicle?
Depending on the vehicle model and expertise of the mechanic, around 3-5 hours are needed to replace a power steering pump. This is the reason the cost of replacement is such high.
How long can a power steering pump typically last?
A lot of factors affect the durability of a power steering pump, especially the driving condition. So, it is not feasible to speak about the exact durability of a power steering pump. You can assume one to support you for around 1,00,000 miles. The ones from Cardone are also expected to last this long. But this might fluctuate.
Final Verdict
Cardone offers some great power steering pumps on the market. Among those, I’ve talked about two. These two are recommended for the performance and durability they offer. Check if they fit your vehicle.
If these are not the right picks for you, check the one from Cardone that matches your vehicle. I know that you won’t be disappointed seeing the performance. But to stay on the safe side, check the customer reviews first.
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