Leaking steering rack - common?

Hey all,

 

I have a 2008 2.5i limited. For the last couple of years I have had to add a little power steering fluid to the reservoir maybe twice a year. I mentioned to this to the dealer at oil changes but they didn't see anything and topped it up as needed. I have also been under the car a few times and never saw any leakage.

 

This weekend I found a couple of oily spots on my garage floor. I got under the car with a creeper and found both inner steering rack boots are wet with PS fluid. The driver's side had a drop hanging from it and the pass side one has been leaking onto the exhaust and probably burning off - I can tell from the residue. I had to add about 1/8 quart PS fluid ( I always use Subaru ATF from the dealer).

 

I have 48K and purchased in 2007. Out of warranty. Is this a known problem for 4th gen Legacy? Or am I just unlucky?

 

Andy

i have the same issue right now with my driver side boot

Known problem.

 

If you have been telling them about at every oil change and it's been documented on the work order. I'd say a judge would agree that it should be covered.

 

I had mine replaced this past May.

I just went to do tie rods a few months ago and found the boots filled with fluid so I also changed the rack.

Mine leaked but not from the boots but the column. Had to get a whole new r & p

Is there a tsb I can refer to? What were you guys paying to fix it?

I think mine was like $600 to have it done. If I remember too I'll in the glove box later.

 

Oh yea they replaced the laft ball joint too as part of that.

I'm going in tomorrow morning to let the dealer look at it. It was documented on 10/09 that I had power steering concerns and they topped it off, found no leaks. Wish me luck.

Good Luck, let us know what they say and how they try to weasle out of fixing it.

My rack is always moist but never see it dropping not do i ever need to add fluid

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Muscatell Subaru stepped up and covered the steering rack and an alignment. They agreed I mentioned low fluid at 22k (at 49k now) and they said no problem, we stand behind our cars. Very impressed with the staff there! Moral of the story is anytime something seems off, make sure they document it! It probably helps build goodwill when you have the dealer do the oil changes and minor stuff since new too. Though I did opt to do most of the 30K maintenance myself to save money, I always have them do tire rotations, wipers, coolant flush, other small stuff I'm too lazy to do.

No P/S rack problem here, but I've had to replace the pump once due to leaking, and now my 2nd one is leaking again. Damn intake tube O-ring keeps failing.

No P/S rack problem here, but I've had to replace the pump once due to leaking, and now my 2nd one is leaking again. Damn intake tube O-ring keeps failing.

 

No problem with steering rack here either, but my pump has a very sloooow leak too.

I had to replace my pump at 94000km and the rack at 110000km...and now ever since something in the front end is making a clunking noise dont know if its bushings, a faulty rack or a bad install...need to get her checked

sorry to revive an old thead. Is there a specific symptom with this kind of problem?

The major issue is the intake O-ring, it will leak every so often. In my case, I have to replace it every year.

Can you specify the part number or size of the o ring? Is it Viton? Possibly a parts diagram...??

 

Thanks

Can you specify the part number or size of the o ring? Is it Viton? Possibly a parts diagram...??

 

Thanks

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/power-steering-o-ring-fix-197481.html?t=197481

Thank you very much stm25rs