WTB power steering pump
 

I have a '92, not sure if it matters though.
Gimme.

We all assume you've changed the o-ring and that's not the problem right?

If you have not, that would be the first thing to do. There are very few pumps that actually fail. Most of the ones replace are done so without fixing the very easy things to do. :)

Well the fluid is topped off and has stayed that way but it makes an annoying whiney sound. Also the p/s will give out here and there making the wheel real sluggish to turn. Will an o-ring fix all this?

Yes, it usually does. There are many symptoms that occur. I would replace the O-ring first and then see what you have. Find the How-To in the folder here. Good luck and let us know what you find. :)

My car deveolped a problem with pretty much the same symptoms as Ricochet's: Almost 3 weeks ago, after the car sat for 2 weeks, a belt started squeeling. I especially noticed it when steering, and the p/s would sometimes jerkily cut out-and-in when turning the wheel sharp, especially while pulling out of a parallel parking space. I finally got around to checking the belt, which I'd just changed in June, and it didn't seem loose, but the belt was hot after just a few minutes of running. I tightened (or possibly loosened) it just a smidge anyways. I also noticed at this time, that the pulley would intermitently "stall" while I cut the wheel. I feared - and was told - that my p/s pump was going bad. Then I checked this thread and it's prequel. I replaced the O-ring today, used Dexron III ATF to replace the fluid I'd siphoned out, and drove my car for about 40 minutes. The squeal has not entirely disapeared, though. (When I looked under the hood and had someone turn the wheel, the pulley wasn't stalling, even during the squeal.) I'm not sure what to think now.

Could it be the idler pulley? Check that as well.

Earl,

When a pulley was stalling, it was definitely the p/s pulley, and no others. But that wasn't happening when I last looked. Besides a visual inspection to see if a pulley is moving or not, how else can I chck it?

Definetly replace the O-ring as they are old and dry rotted by now, if it still is giving you problems, put some "Lucus Power steering Additive" in it, and I bet it fixes it...it did for me....but always do the O-Ring first....I mean, it's only 50 cents, and definitely needs it, due to age.

Once you top off the fluid after a O-ring change it's good to jack up the car to get the front wheels off the grouond, and then turn the steering wheel lock to lock several times with the motor running to excavate all the air from the system.

Hope this helps,

I've already replaced the o-ring and turned the wheel stop-to-stop a couple of times. (Maybe I'll try it a few more times.) You're sure it's safe to put p/s additive in even though the p/s system uses transmission fluid, and not p/s fluid?

Yes, it should be fine.

When you say pulley, which one are you talking about. Is it the electric clutch that starts and stops when the system turns off and on?

I just started the car for the first time today, and when I turned the wheels hard, the pulley was stalling on-and-off again and squealing. I am referring to the pulley that drives the power steering pump, the one that shares the same belt with the alternator and the adjustible tension pulley.

To clarify, it's part number 2 from this diagram at Subaruparts.com:

http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...category=348-A

It turns out that I didn't need a new P/S pump! :) I had another mechanic check it out. The problem was with the belt. Either I didn't install it properly (and its ridges, riding peak-to-peak, wore out in less that 2 months) or was sold the wrong one (with too-narrow ridges) in June. A new, properly fitted and tightened belt ended the squealing and the "stalling" of the pulley's rotation. After a few days, once the new belt stretched, the squealing returned, and then I tightened the belt some more to eliminate that. I also had the rounded nut at the center of the pulley replaced, which enabled me to make the adjustment. I hope this will help someone else with the same problem.