Power steering quits
 

Power steering quits at times. First noticed it when first starting car cold, in very cold weather. Steering hard and sluggish (no squealing noise) It acted like GM racks do when cold out. After a minute or two it snapped out of it. BUT, a few days later and after driving car with no problems, I was driving and started a turn when (agahst!) NO power steering assist! had to muscle it through the turn. After sitting for 2-3 hrs, went to leave and P.Steering was working fine. I noticed the next morning P. Steering fluid(trans fluid) was leaking out the front of the car....raising the hood to ck the level and source of the leak, I noticed it was coming out the secured cap on the P.S. resevior and running down to the ground. Fluid level seemed full. Any ideas??? BTW, its been sub zero cold here.

Scott
Omaha

Have you done the O-Ring replacement yet? Check the "How-To" Documents for the instructions. There is a very good chance that that is the problem. :)

Holding the steering on full lock when the car is parked can cause power steering fluid to pump out under the reservoir cap like you describe.

This happened to my brother's Forester when we were bleeding the brakes, and the system is the same as the SVX.

It's possible if you have pumped oil off like this, you might now be low, and that is causing the intermittent quitting.

As Earl says, do the O ring fix, fill up with the proper ATF Dexron II and then see if it is still giving trouble.

And avoid holding the steering locked over right or left when parked.

Joe:)

Yes, the O ring repair has been done already, as well as the pressure and return lines replaced by my son within the past year.

I did only ck the fluid level when eng shut off, fluid cold...and was ok.