Vitara repair Question

[JPSmit]

Our tenant (who is sort of another daughter) has a 2000 Vitara. For the last year at least, the steering has been difficult. It kind of feels like there is no power steering at all. hard to turn to start and then it gets easier. I replaced the power steering pump and it made no difference. She has had it into a shop and they say (according to her) that it is the "universal joint" in the steering and that a new one costs $1400. The mechanic has brought in two or three used ones but they all looked the same or worse so he didn't use them. The mechanic has taken the part and soaked it in oil and this has helped some. I get the strong impression that the mechanic is honest and not screwing her around.

Does any of this make any sense? any thoughts to what it might be and a cheap fix? This truck is a POS at best, but, as a student she doesn't have a ton of options.

 

[eschneider]

Great vehicles, even if they are cheap. A 2000 Vitara is the same as a 2000 Chevy Tracker (pretty sure... but my experience is mostly with the early 90's stuff)

In general:
- Parts suck, even the OEM stuff from the dealer.
- Suzuki parts are identical to the chevy Tracker equivalent - but the GM dealer is about 1/3 the price. Unfortunately, the GM and the Suzuki guys get irritated when you try to cross lines.....

try:
- suzukiforums.com - guy named "Kickfix" is REALLY good, but can't type.
- hawk suzuki (Tracker / Sidekick / Vitara used parts specialist) (Oregon)
- southwest suzuki (Texas dealer with an online parts catalog) seems to have best prices on OEM suzuki stuff. The countermen aren't too bright, though.

 

[Banjo]

Not an uncommon problem. Those joints can be tricky to pinpoint sometimes.
Sounds like eschneider had put you on the right track.