Steering rack? At least new hoses...

I think the powersteering leak that Duff's found is related to the steering rack. I thought I would put the car up on ramps and look for myself as to what could be leaking, and from where. Keep in mind I know very little about cars, so I thought it might be fun or something. Anyway, I went underneath and saw that the oil drainplug had oil around it; I just changed it and put a gasket on the bolt. I tightened the bolt a 1/4 turn (it was tight already IMO). I also looked above the front black plastic guard thing towards the radator and guess what?? One of the two hoses was leaking at both connections. On the end easiest to get to the hose looked like it was about to come off because the notch at the end of the steel tube was visible. I fixed that and was too tired to do the other one. I guess I'll have to get some new hoses, becuase they are old anyway. But about the steering thing, I noticed that on the driver's side the rubber boot on the steering rack had oily crap on it; I wiped it off. The exhaust pipe underneath it looked like it had dried stuff on the top where maybe it had leaked onto it? What does that mean? Do I even want to know?

[Beav]

There are two more transmission cooler hoses there that could be leaking and dripping on the bellows. Check more closely.

You can get the transmission filter update kit from Subaru for about $12 - it has all of the hoses included. Probably the best parts deal you'll ever get.

Originally posted by Beav
There are two more transmission cooler hoses there that could be leaking and dripping on the bellows. Check more closely.

Yeah, I remember seeing that I think; there was another rubber hose that went into a smaller steel hose that went back into the transmission; the joint between the two was wet as well and this was maybe a foot above the steering rack where it had the oil. Is there a good place to get those hoses? I could probably do it myself, just need to know the sizes to get.

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by Beav
You can get the transmission filter update kit from Subaru for about $12 - it has all of the hoses included. Probably the best parts deal you'll ever get.

For $12, you aren't kidding. I had to replace three vacuum hoses, and a t-fitting that goes between, them on my wife's Legacy.

$48.

For $5 in plastic and rubber.

There are two more transmission cooler hoses there that could be leaking and dripping on the bellows. Check more closely.

You can get the transmission filter update kit from Subaru for about $12 - it has all of the hoses included. Probably the best parts deal you'll ever get. [/QUOTE]

To install the filter kit, don't I have to flush the transmission cooler in the radiator? How do I do that, just hook up an air hose to it or something?

[Beav]

The instructions come with the kit, I believe. You can take this any way you want, but if it was mine I wouldn't bother flushing it unless I had a problem.

Do you know if any of those 5 hoses that come with the kit are to replace the second set of rubber hoses that are between the radiator and transmission? If so then I will have the hoses to replace all four individual hoses that are on there now.

[ensteele]

When I added my transmission canister type filter (Perma Cool) I didn't flush the cooler or the system. I guess it depends on what your fluid looks like. Mine was clean and had been changed recently. The filter mount has a place for a temperature sending unit for a temp gauge as well, but if you didn't want to install one it can be plugged. Some of them come with a temp gauge, and others don't. The hose that came with my filter was about 24" long, which could be could cut to make two short hoses, or use one long one. I would measure the hoses you want to replace and when the filter comes, see if you need any more hose. If you do, you will have the hose size by looking at what came with the filter and can show a parts house what you need. Just a thought.

[wawazat??]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets


For $12, you aren't kidding. I had to replace three vacuum hoses, and a t-fitting that goes between, them on my wife's Legacy.

$48.

For $5 in plastic and rubber.

Nick,

Buy lots! It's how I make a living!

Todd

I ordered the filter kit from the local Subaru for 20 bucks. Close enough. I looked at the TSB and apparently the package includes ALL the hoses, stating that they are better designed for a better seal (no kidding).

[Beav]

Yeah, originally they had a problem with the hoses leaking and had a campaign to replace them. There's still a part number for the kit (basically the same, minus the filter), but the availability was killed off when the oil cooler/torque convertor demon reared its head.