problem with vauxhall astra

[roverkim]

hi, i currently own a vauxhall astra 1.6sxi, it is a t-reg(99). first of all i took my car to the vauxhall garage so they could tell me why my breaks were making a loud noise. after them having it for a few hours they told me that to repair the cars faults it would cost me nearly a thousand pound. they told me my steering rack was leaking, my rear brake drums were being rubbed against, my brake cables were deminished and my alternator belt was perished. well i only bought the car in september for 3000 pound it has now done 96000 miles, other than the brakes making a noise the car runs brilliantly. it does need a service but i might tackle this myself. can any one give me some advice as to how i can check whether vauxhall are trying to have me over or not. your answers would be much appreciated.

[maxximus]

buy the manual do your rear brakes one side at a time, then you've always got something to look at. you took it to the dealer so the price is probably not far off the mark as the rack is expensive, but is the rack leaking or weeping,either way they will tell you that it's leaking the labour to change it is high.but if it's weeping steering fluid is a hell of a lot cheaper, as long as you don't run it dry you can probably milk it for a few more years or until you find a really cheap used one.if you're rear shoes have been fully extended,metal to metal you may have to machine your drums and possibly replace your wheel cylinders.