Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

I started experiencing difficulty turning the steering wheel either way.. especially when idling (like PARKING!) about one year ago. I was getting belt squeeling too.. SO, I just tightened the belt several times. I replaced the pump with a reman about 6 mos ago cuz it continued, but hardly any change. I thot it must need a rack/pinion replacement, but the cost (SubaruParts.com $680, Pep Boys reman $330) dint thrill me. The local good mechanic (Radio Shop Talk Show - Fresno KMJ 580 AM Saturday morns) wanted $350 labor. :cool:

It was working tolerably until the cold weather hit about 2 months ago. Then, the squeeling, which had subsided, began to come back.. AND "the steering wheel locking up" got MUCH worse! When parking, it has been difficult to get out especially.. after the steering gear gets cold and the whole mechanism works much more sluggishly at first.

The steering works fine while driving above 10-20 mph (engine RPM range). But, stop for a turn, or try to turn sharply while stopped or moving slowly.. and it gets ScArY! :eek:

QUESTIONS:

1) I doubt that I got a bad reman pump, right?
2) Shud I buy the rack/pinion reman, put in myself for $330. It'll need alignment too. Do I need mounts
(Adaptors - $13 x2) since the stuff is so old?
3) Shud I pop for about $700 to have the hot-shot mechanic install reman?
4) Can I count on certain parts wearing out that I cud replace, like "Repair Kit - gear box output shaft" (SubaruParts.com) for $52 (apparently rack seals + ??).. and attempt repair that route.. ?
5) I shud replace the Tie-Rod Ends for $42 each, right?
6) HELP!.. . ??? :confused:

Thanks for your input, Jim :D

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

You can get a good used rack for $100-$200 from places like F and S auto (http://fsautoparts.com) in Connecticut (they specialize in Subaru) and there is even a used rack from a 94 on eBay right now for cheap money:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Subar...Q5fAccessories

You could also try for more local used parts on car-part.com. Resealing the rack is a lot of labor on top of the charge for taking it out/putting it back in, but might be the best option other than a new or reman rack.

Could just be the steering u-joint needs to be greased up like crazy- my 96 Impreza OBS had a VERY heavy steering wheel when slow, and lubing up the u-joint worked a treat.

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

When I posted this months ago.. I got a comment like yours about the steering u-joint! It doesn't seem like that wud be it, but I'll give another squirt of WD-40 on the u-joint to see if there's any difference. Remember, it's squeeling more (a little) now too.. indicating that it's the fluid flow system (pump + rack/pinion) involved.. right? :confused:

Thanks, Jim :D

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Could just be the belt is too tight or too loose or there is air in the system too though- the PS fluid should foam up if it was air though. Does it look at all foamy when this happens?

As for the u-joint, go with something heavier than WD-40- it's purpose is really only as a water displacer instead of a long-term lubricant. If you have some white lithium grease, that'd be great, as would bearing grease. If nothing else, gear oil would be good too. Lube the snot out of it, put the front end of the car on stands, and turn the wheel back and forth from lock to lock a whole bunch and see if it frees up any.

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

What type of fluid are you using?

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Redline D4-ATF which now has LUCAS Power Steering additive (2 bottles)..
The Lucas smoothed out the overall action, but still "locks up" .. esp at low RPM [It is very high viscosity.. tricky to even get in reservoir].

Had the D4-ATF left over from AT use earlier.. shud be as good as it gets, right?.. . [but of course, too expensive!]. :cool:

Am I missing anything here??? Anything obvious.. . ? :confused:

Thanks, Jim :D

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Yes, you could have a bad O-Ring that is allowing air to be sucked into the system. Go to the How To section and look at the steering section and follow the directions to replace this dollar part. If that doesn't work, then look at other things, but this could be the problem. Good luck. :)

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Nice How-To.. But what is the problem if the O-Ring is imperfect? Sucks Air? I know I put some kind of O-Ring there when I put the reman pump on about 6 months ago. I haven't noticed any frothing of PS fluid (?). Shud I still replace.. even if no apparent foaming.. or air in reservoir?? :confused:

I thot at first.. you were talking about an O-Ring in the rack/pinion. Hmmm? ;)

I dont see how it cud be universal joint on steering column either.. since it operates well when warmed up.. ?

Thanks, Jim :D

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Could it be contamination in the system that gets thick when cold and thins out when warm so that the fluid can flow and the pressure can build up?

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

I'm not sure WHAT contamination you're referring to.. ? But it definitely works a couple hundred percent better when warm.. ??

The Lucas PS additive is super viscous.. very high viscosity.. ! It's supposed to seal leaks.. AND help with jerky action?? I assume it works for someone.. so the viscosity must not be a definite problem itself. After warmed up, the system works great above 5 or 10 mph! Sometimes good when parking also, but not always.. ??? :rolleyes:

Hasn't anyone had issues with their Rack and Pinion? Hasn't anyone replaced .. or rebuilt their Rack and Pinion?? I don't see anything in the How-To's or ??? Hmmm? :confused:

I sure wish it were the little O-Ring! I even have a professional O-Ring kit I got somewhere on sale.. . and I have that 15mm OD/11mm ID/2mm thickness O-Ring. I guess I'll just have to eliminate that possibilty.. even tho I don't see foaming or frothing in the reservoir. Wouldn't I get more air sucking after warmup.. and therefore more problems with the PS when the car is warm? Just opposite of what I'm experiencing.. . :cool:

Thanks to you all, Jim :D

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

If you want to check out the universal joint, jack up the front end, both front wheels off of the ground.
Slowly turn the wheel and see if it gets tighter, and looser as you turn.
You can do this with the engine off.
If it does, note when it happens.
If it is evenly spaced, at about 90° phases, then you should suspect your steering U-Joint.
If you are under the non-running car, and turn the steering column, you can see how the U-Joint relates to the binding, if there is binding.

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

You describe the U-joint problem perfectly, I know as I have the problem. Only problem is you can't get one from Subaru Parts, they tell me none exist!!! If anyone has one (used or new) or knows where to get one, I'm in desperate need as perhaps James Scott will be too.

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Will this potentially cause a knocking to rattling noise over bumps as well?

Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

#34160PA010
I tried to call my local Subaru garage and got the answering machine.(Again:rolleyes:)
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Re: Power Steering - Hard-To-Turn!
 

Not usually.
When they go bad they usually get too tight.
For knocking ratteling over bumps check the anti-sway bar links, anti-sway bar bushings, drivers side anti-sway bar bolt on arm bolt, ball joints, and lower control arm bushings.
Go now, lay in the snow, it will be fun!:eek: