Power steering going out

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Andrew1972

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I have a 2005 legacy turbo wagon with 192k. The power steering when it gets cold barely works and makes a large whine. I find the fluid maybe a 1/2 cup of fluid low.(below low line)

The web mentions an o-ring failure at pump as common culprit(not replaced). However the power steering rack has a wet spot on it. Does this mean the rack itself is bad? This repair is beyond my capability and have an estimate for $650 to change it and align it.

Just confirming.
 
Racks weep. I think your pump is the issue.

Squeeze your rack bellowses (where the tie-rods come out) and make sure there isn't 6 oz of fluid stranded in there, though.
 
First thing I would do is remove the reservoir And clean it out. A clogged reservoir can some times cause poor steering.

Is the steering bad in both directions or just in one direction? I had bad steering in 98 Sienna at low speeds (foot off the pedal when parking).

Before I fixed it I called a steering shop. The guy I spoke to said that if steering is bad when turning in one direction only, then It's the rack.

If its bad in both directions then it's the pump. I changed the pump with a used one and the steering was fixed.

The quote for steering jobs is high because its a pain in the neck to do on most cars.

Try the cleaning first and replace the fluid with new stuff. As mentioned check for rack leaks or leaks around the hoses.
 
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currently futzing with a 2002 impreza with the same issue, i replaced the o-ring and it still sounds like a cat being skinned alive with any wheel movement. hopefully yours is just the o-ring, but be prepared for disappointment.
 
What do you guys use as p/s fluid for it? Does subaru use ATF? I would empty it and use either a hm p/s fluid or hm atf like maxlife and see if it reduces the loss of fluid.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Racks weep. I think your pump is the issue.

Squeeze your rack bellowses (where the tie-rods come out) and make sure there isn't 6 oz of fluid stranded in there, though.
+1 Probably a pump issue

A lot of times power steering hoses can leak onto the rack and make it look like the rack is leaking.
 
Empty the reservoir throw half a cup or so of seafood and top with fresh fluid. If that helps proceed with a full p/s system flush by disabling ignition removing return line from reservoir plug spout on reservoir and fill reservoir with fresh fluid. Crank for 5-10 seconds at a time with return hose in a bucket. Repeat this until fluid from return hose runs clean. The. Reassemble and top off
 
At that mileage, it's possible the pump is plain tired. Before condemning it, though, change out the fluid. Also check all your hoses and clamps.
 
Originally Posted By: Superflop
Empty the reservoir throw half a cup or so of seafood

Hmmm that's a new one
 
Besides checking the hoses for leaks, try flushing the ps system. 1. Suck out the fluid in the reservoir. 2. Replace with new fluid. 3. Start car, turn steering lock to lock multiple times, turn off car. 4. Repeat procedure until the fluid being sucked out looks like the fresh fluid going in.

Use regular ps fluid from auto parts store or Walmart. Afterwards add a ps system conditioner. I like the one by Lubegard. I've had good luck with the Lucas one too and it's easily available.

A lot of times people never change the ps fluid, just top it off. It may have been in the car for 192k!
 
Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: Superflop
Empty the reservoir throw half a cup or so of seafood

Hmmm that's a new one


Believe he meant "SeaFoam."

I have used that to quieten a noisy pump. Ran a few ounces in it then flushed the system. Quiet and smooth now 25k and four years later.
 
Changing the fluid in the power steering reservoir with a turkey baster would be like washing a car with a little squirt bottle.

Connect a longer hose to the return hose of the power steering, plug up the hole where the hose went into the reservoir, put the longer hose in a drain pan, start the car for 3-5 seconds (reservoir will be dry afterwards) then top off with fresh fluid and start for 3-5 seconds, and keep doing that until clean comes out the hose. Then reconnect and you've got 100% new fluid. I've done that with my past 2 Toyotas.
 
Originally Posted By: madRiver
I have a 2005 legacy turbo wagon with 192k. The power steering when it gets cold barely works and makes a large whine. I find the fluid maybe a 1/2 cup of fluid low.(below low line)

The web mentions an o-ring failure at pump as common culprit(not replaced). However the power steering rack has a wet spot on it. Does this mean the rack itself is bad? This repair is beyond my capability and have an estimate for $650 to change it and align it.

Just confirming.


Problems only when cold indicate your fluid has picked up moisture, which freezes when it gets cold. Replacing the ps fluid should restore performance.

IMO the leak is a separate issue, which may resolve (or not) once new.fluid is in place.
 
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I don't like ever running a power steering pump dry as that has, for me, been a sure-fire recipe for a noisy pump. When changing power steering fluid I remove all the fluid I can from the reservoir with my suction gun, refill, drive a while and repeat. How long I drive between fluid changes and how many times I repeat the fluid change process depends upon how ugly I find the fluid and if any symptoms persist.

Two months ago I replaced all the power steering hoses and the fluid reservoir (it has a filter built-in) on my 1997 BMW. Even though I filled the system and turned the wheel from lock-to-lock several times before starting the car the pump is still noisier than before the work.

My '97 Neon of yore had a noisy power steering pump in cold weather, but otherwise worked fine. The fluid was low so I topped off with several ounces of Liqui Moly 2009 Anti-Friction Oil Treatment. The cold-start noise went from being 30-60 seconds long to 3-5 seconds long.

I had a complete loss of steering assist once on a 1996 Intrepid. The pump was fine, but the rack was not. To try to keep the newly remanufactured rack healthy I used a Magnefine filter. It leaked.
smirk.gif
 
Had a similar issue recently that forced me to just replace the entire rack & pinion.

I read that the O-rings and seals can dry out and shrink, so I tried some PS stop leak to no avail.
I could've redone the seals, but without it being a guaranteed fix, I went with a reman'd PS rack.

While everything was off, I did clean all the lines and reservoir and checked the pump. Immediately, all noise was cured and no more oil spot growing in my driveway.
 
If you want to flush the power steering system by disconnecting the return hose, have a second person in the car to turn the wheel and turn the car off if the reservoir gets low while you continuously pour in new fluid to keep the reservoir from going dry.
 
Originally Posted By: madRiver
This repair is beyond my capability


Is it beyond your capability to do a complete fluid replacement with quality PS fluid (that includes stop leak)?
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: madRiver
This repair is beyond my capability


Is it beyond your capability to do a complete fluid replacement with quality PS fluid (that includes stop leak)?



Replacing the rack is beyond capability.

When fluid is topped back up the pump is not noisy and power steering works. I filled it last week and it was down 1/4 cup today after cold weather and not working well.

Not clear how much is in the system, I am topping with Castrol Import Transmission fluid as its Dextron III spec apparently.
 
Originally Posted By: madRiver
This repair is beyond my capability and have an estimate for $650 to change it and align it.


Is that the estimate for replacing the steering rack ? Are parts included ?
 
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