01 mazda tribute ~187,000km owned since 155,000km

Recently got car tuned up which included: spark plugs, ignition coils, pcv valve, pcv valve upper elbow hose (connects to intake) and hose that connects to pcv valve, valve cover gaskets, spark plug tube gaskets, upper and lower intake gaskets, throttle body gasket, IAC valve gasket. And just got brake fluid flushed. Fuel filter was replaced at 177,000km.

I will be getting brake pads replaced and caliper sliding pins lubricated as I have uneven brake pad wear.

I would like feedback on what maintenance to do next. The following are problems my car is having:

1. small coolant leak from water pump (temperature while driving has always been normal) and some cracks in the drive belt
2. possible oil pressure switch faulty (low oil indicator lights up when braking or idling). My oil level is good. Don't have noisy symptoms of bad oil pump... I plan on getting oil pressure switch replaced and have oil pressure measured.
3. lower ball joint squeaks when going over speed bumps. Do I need alignment if replaced?
4. car makes whining noise when steering sometimes. It is loudest and happens most often after I cold start or drive in cold weather. My mechanic diagnosed this by grabbing the outer tie rod while someone was steering and the sound stopped. Then says its steering rack. How accurate is this?
5. AC not cool

What repair is a must and should be done first? I do not want to spend a ton of money on my car and just want at least another 3 years with it!

 

Imo ,
water pump
Oilpressure switch (a common issue and even just cleaning the electrical connector might fix that up)

The Rest at your leisure apart from the diagnosis of the steering rack which i think is in-correct .

Paul

 

1. The transmission cooling hoses, total 3 of them, must be replaced, you can replace it while replacing the transmission fluid.
2. Water regulate valve, you can replace it together with the coolant leaking issue.
3. Replace the gear oils, one at the front, and one at the back.
4. Check the vacuum hoses, if needed, replace it.
5. Replace the steering fluid, better flush it, and only use the same fluid as the transmission - Mercon V