Braking, Possible suspension?

LOVEWORTHLOVING

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO

My husband's Astro van has been running fine for 2 years with minimal issues. Last night on his way to class, the van became very difficult to stop. Shortly after this began my husband had problems just steering it into a parking lot. My husband said the suspension was shot. My question is is that the only thing? Could it possibly be something else also? If someone could give me some estimated prices that would be great. Just a ball park estimate.

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 AT 8:29 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,332 POSTS

50 bucks to $3500.00, but it could be more or less. We don't have a clue what is wrong but to say the suspension is shot is like saying your house is broken. You gotta be WAY more specific. The suspension is an entire system, and while there are some common failure items on your model, it sounds like there could be nothing more than a broken belt on the engine. That would cause a loss of power steering.

Many of your model also use an uncommon, but fairly reliable power boost system for the brakes called "hydro boost". That system is run from pressurized power steering fluid. A broken belt will cause loss of power brakes as well as loss of power steering.

It is important to understand that you will not lose steering and brakes, just the power assist, so it will be very hard to turn at low speeds and to stop, but not impossible.

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 AT 8:45 PM