GF almost t boned us today

Something has been screaming/screaching whenever I turn the wheel, so I went to Advanced. The 16 year old Subaru specialist at the service desk claimed it was a belt that needs replacing, so I replaced them all.

 

Two days later, my girlfriend pulls out in the center of an intersection. I start yelling TURN and she wasn't strong enough to turn the steering wheel. When she did get it cranked, it let out screech.

 

 

 

Is the pump the only thing that needs replacing?

 

 

What ever is failing is going out fast. I lost all power steering at every stop sign on my way home from work.

 

 

***Alternator loves to whine when it's cold out. Is there a way to tell if it's the alternator or the power steering pump?

Have you made sure there is no air in the power steering system?

Have you made sure there is no air in the power steering system?

 

143k. Something is failing.

The alternator shouldn't affect your powered steering either way.

 

Okay, thanks.

Have you checked your power steering fluid?

I'm going home to get a video of it and I will upload it quick to youtube and link it here

Did I read that wrong, or did that say something other than youtube for a second?

143k. Something is failing.

 

The o-ring on the PS pump feed is know to go bad, allowing air to enter the system. Air in the PS system will cause the pump to make excessive noise and could lead to loss of assist (intermittently, like you are describing) . You need to check you PS fluid for bubbles or signs of air in the system as step number one.

 

FWIW... I thought my alternator was making a squealing noise on cold start too. I used a long 3/8" extension as a "mechanics stethoscope" to identify that it was actually the PS pump making the racket. Hasn't had an affect on the steering yet, so I've left it alone.

Fluid is low. There is a bracket bolted to the bottom of the legacy. It sits right behind the oil pan. It's drenched. I assume the power steering sits right above this bracket?

Did I read that wrong, or did that say something other than youtube for a second?

 

I can't type very well on my tablet.

Sounds like the low fluid caused the issue.

 

The reason the fluid is low is because the rack needs to be removed and fixed or, I just had mine replaced because of a leak.

 

Find a good repair shop that has been around for a long time. My guy gave me some PS fluid and told me to keep it topped off until he could get the one replacement rack that he's had good luck with. He wouldn't use just any rack.

My PS problems started with the o-ring. See: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/power-steering-o-ring-fix-197481.html

 

In my case the PS was making a really strange whine for the few days from the o-ring failing to me replacing it.

 

The PS still felt pretty heavy (yes, I topped off the fluid), and one day I was pulling out of a parallel parking spot - I had gotten parked in pretty tight, so I was really cranking the steering wheel. Just like in your case, the car let out a screech. Car felt like it had no PS at all. I checked the belt when I got home, and it was a little loose, so I tightened it, but PS was still pretty much gone.

 

I had the pump replaced with a Cardone (remanufactured unit), fluid flushed, and new belts since I don't have a record from previous owner when they were last done.

 

I'm assuming the o-ring failure and subsequent air in the system/driving slightly low on fluid (I tried to keep it topped off until I replaced the o-ring, but it was pretty low one day when I topped it off) is what killed the aging pump.

 

To check if your pump's working, jack up the front of the car, start it, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. Watch the PS reservoir (you'll need a friend to help out), and you should see fluid coming in from the return hose.

 

This was on my lgt at ~139k miles.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2005+subaru+legacy+replacement+steering+racks&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-ContextMenu&tbm=shop&oq=2005+subaru+legacy+replacement+steering+racks&gs_l=heirloom-serp.12...18674.26739.0.28517.12.12.0.0.0.0.234.1715.0j5j4.9.0....0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-serp..5.7.1310.ARG55XLkZlg

 

 

I do remember my trusted mechanic said he would not use a Cardone, I think the one he waited for began with the letter F in its name. Sorry I can't remember the name, but I trust him so Iif a ever have a issue it's going back to him.

 

I'm sure I posted here about it, it was mid to late May 2012 I think. Oh my little book says May 20 2012 time frame. @ 153,877 miles.

I had a similar thing happen, the belt that runs the alternator aslo runs the power steering pump, in my case I hit a bump and where the idiot before me changed the belt didn't hook the tensioner up right and the adjustment bolt came loose from it. I hit a bump and lost power steering and the battery light started to come on because the belt was slipping. Had to rig it a little to avoid replacing the alternator, but so far so good.

Quick question

 

Am I supposed to check for bubbles when the vehicle is running or off?

 

Either way, there is none.

Vehicle should be running. Ensure the cap is ON, then turn the wheel back and forth a dozen times or so. Keep the car running and go pull the cap off the PS reservoir and look for bubbles.

I do remember my trusted mechanic said he would not use a Cardone, I think the one he waited for began with the letter F in its name. Sorry I can't remember the name, but I trust him so Iif a ever have a issue it's going back to him.

 

I'm sure I posted here about it, it was mid to late May 2012 I think. Oh my little book says May 20 2012 time frame. @ 153,877 miles.

 

I suggested Cardone to IAG, since Cardone has a 3 year/36k miles warranty on the pump. IAG said Cardone was a decent brand, and I trust them.