The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-12-2010, 05:37 PM
Gamesy's Avatar
Gamesy Gamesy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,677
Registered SVX
power steering issue

I started my car the other day and ever since my power steering seems to be half working driving and shifting lanes isnt bad a little stiff but at lower speeds like in a parking lot its WAYYY stiffer like it just wont work.
also get a whine when turning the wheel

any clue?
__________________
Tranny goes in, tranny comes out, tranny goes in.....AW ****, tranny comes out....
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-12-2010, 05:42 PM
Hocrest's Avatar
Hocrest Hocrest is offline
Freezepop's are Awesome!!!!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittston, PA
Posts: 5,334
Send a message via AIM to Hocrest
Re: power steering issue

How old are your belts?

You may want to check out the crank pulley, look if it's showing any signs of separation.
Paint a line on it across the layers, after it runs, see if the line is still in one piece.
__________________
Dave
- 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-12-2010, 09:18 PM
juice's Avatar
juice juice is offline
Juice
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lakewood,CO
Posts: 81
Talking Re: power steering issue

first off check your fluid level (remove the screen).If it's low it could be leaking from a hose or your steering rack. If all that's ok the winning could be the power steering pump.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-13-2010, 12:18 AM
Gamesy's Avatar
Gamesy Gamesy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,677
Registered SVX
Re: power steering issue

level's fine we're thinking its the pump, i'm thinking to try flushing the lines but i dont think that will do much will it?
__________________
Tranny goes in, tranny comes out, tranny goes in.....AW ****, tranny comes out....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-13-2010, 01:22 AM
ensteele's Avatar
ensteele ensteele is offline
Betcha can't buy just one!
Alcyone Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Burlington, WA
Posts: 19,552
Send a message via ICQ to ensteele Send a message via Yahoo to ensteele Send a message via Skype™ to ensteele
Registered SVX Classic SVX
Re: power steering issue

I'm guessing the O-ring in the pump tank. Look in the how-to docs to see how it is done. I wouldn't do anything before I check that out. It makes the steering stiff, makes noise, and lots of other problems. I would bet that is the problem. Good luck.
__________________
.
Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*>

Subaru Ambassador

[COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430
1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739
1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420

My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-13-2010, 01:49 AM
Gamesy's Avatar
Gamesy Gamesy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,677
Registered SVX
Re: power steering issue

would a faulty o-ring really cause that kind of an issue with the steering?
wow... talk about the straw that broke the camel's back lol
__________________
Tranny goes in, tranny comes out, tranny goes in.....AW ****, tranny comes out....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-13-2010, 02:53 AM
Trevor's Avatar
Trevor Trevor is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,223
Registered SVX
Re: power steering issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gamesy View Post
would a faulty o-ring really cause that kind of an issue with the steering?
wow... talk about the straw that broke the camel's back lol
It is rather a weird fault and hard to accept. The strange thing is that when a faulty ring leaks, air enters but there is no significant leaking of fluid. Things go haywire when valves within the system are unable to cope with air in the fluid.

The first symptom is usually a high pitched sort of squeak/wine at full lock or when the pump is delivering full pressure. This appears to result from a valve chattering, but as I understand it this has not been absolutely confirmed.

The good thing is that it is a very easy and cheap fix and certainly should be tried before embarking on anything more expensive.
__________________
Trevor, New Zealand.

As a child, on cold mornings I gladly stood in cowpats to warm my bare feet, but I detest bull$hit!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-13-2010, 06:54 AM
ZMan's Avatar
ZMan ZMan is offline
Registered User
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 300
Registered SVX
Re: power steering issue

Also, don't overlook the obvious.

Make sure the belt is in good condition and that it's tight
enough - change it if in doubt.

The belt is under more load in a parking lot then when driving.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-13-2010, 07:17 AM
SpadedOne SpadedOne is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mason City, IA
Posts: 69
Registered SVX
Re: power steering issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gamesy View Post
would a faulty o-ring really cause that kind of an issue with the steering?
wow... talk about the straw that broke the camel's back lol
I had the tight steering and whine at slow speeds too. I replaced the o-ring(put one in as mine was completely gone), and no more problems. Works great now.
__________________
1992 SVX LS-L: For sale

1995 Lexus SC400- Lexta Z
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-14-2010, 01:28 PM
ensteele's Avatar
ensteele ensteele is offline
Betcha can't buy just one!
Alcyone Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Burlington, WA
Posts: 19,552
Send a message via ICQ to ensteele Send a message via Yahoo to ensteele Send a message via Skype™ to ensteele
Registered SVX Classic SVX
Re: power steering issue

It is hard to believe that such a little part (O-Ring) could cause so much problems. The good thing as Trevor said - it is cheap and easy to replace and the best thing to replace before doing anything that is more expensive. I have seen some very bad problems fixed by doing this.
__________________
.
Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*>

Subaru Ambassador

[COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430
1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739
1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420

My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122