I have a 2001 Accord LX, manual transmission with 179k miles (oil changes have been on schedule but anything else has only been when it's become problematic).

I noticed a leak, took it to the dealer and got back the following report:
Steering rack is leaking
Front lower ball joints are loose
Front sway bar links & bushings are loose
Left front upper ball joint is very loose
Rear say bar links are loose
Perform 4 wheel alignment

The tech told me that once they discovered it was the rack that was the source of the leak that they looked for other items that, if needed to be fixed, would also require alignment after, in an attempt to save money over the long haul (which kind of makes sense), However the grand total comes to $2300, which is more than we owe on the vehicle.

I just don't know if the dealership was looking for stuff to fix or if these are really concern items and if they are how safe is the car until we come up with the cash. Is it worth fixing at this point?

And tonight the high beams started acting up - they won't stay on unless you hold the stick. That's not related to the power steering leak, right?

Thank you so much for any suggestions, advice, etc you have to offer.
-Carla

 

Maybe you could talk to friends/relatives/co-workers and find a good independent shop that has Honda experience.
Sway bar end links make noise but are not critical, the lower/upper ball joints would be making clunking noises when going over bumps. However if a ball joint comes apart you could lose control of the car.
Might be worth the time to have a local alignment shop give you an estimate of what needs done.
The power steering rack seeping could go a long time with being topped off once a week with HONDA POWER STEERING FLUID.

The High beam problem is most likely to be a switch problem.

Just by chance.....do you live 15 miles up a dirt road?

 

The Honda dealer is giving you a list of what it will take to get your vehicle in excellent mechanical condition from your post.

The Steering rack, and ball joints will affect your alignment but the Steering rack is mandatory to do one after it is replaced but there is no point doing an alignment with worn ball joints. The sway bar bushing can be done later

 

Living in Maine in the winter IS pretty much living 15 miles up a dirt road

Whatever the issue was with the high beams it went away b/c they work fine now, so either the switch will fail later or the car is just messing with me; either way it works now and that's all I care about!

Found a reputable, independent Honda mechanic thru the Car Talk mechanic files and will contact them to take another look at the car. I'm thinking the steering fluid leak can't be too bad since we went away for the weekend and when we came back there were only a few spots in the parking lot and not a massive puddle. I believe that the front end is making knocking noises, what with all the frost heaves and it does seem louder on the left. I can't say that I've noticed any noise or anything odd from the rear of the vehicle.

Would the ball joints cause shuddering in the steering wheel when you brake or would that just be the rotors?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

The 'Shake-N-Brake' is usually caused by warped rotors