$1000 seems pretty high even for California. I had an indy replace the pump in my 300e about two years ago and I think it cost me about $600 parts and labor. I would have done the job myself except that it was winter and I would have had to work out in the driveway in the rain.

I did research the job and I agree that a decent DIY owner could do it with some study on how to proceed. Lots of things need to be moved out of the way.

I wasn't too pleased with the job my indy did. He apparently assigned it to a young mechanic in the shop who was a bit careless. The tensioner was reinstalled with the pointer out of sight and one of the bolts holding the power steering pump on was never tightened. The noisy bearing sound has gone though.

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1986 300E
1993 Volvo 940 Wagon
1984 Volvo 240 (daughter's)
1976 Dodge 1/2T pickup, gas hog