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Hi to everyone. I thought maybe i could get some input here on a power steering pump that is growling real bad. Its on a 93 Legacy wagon. It just started making noise. The question i have is will it lockup or just start leaking? Any ideas, or someone with same type of problem with pumps. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Also searching forums for info.

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Well, rebuild kits are around 25 bucks from the dealer. That will stop leaks for sure, but the growling I'm not sure.

 

If you have had the system open for some reason, you could have gotten air in there, and then they get growly untill you bleed them. Just a thought.

 

Pyro

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Thanks for your reply Pryromanic. Looks like i start working on it tomorrow. It was driven about 30 miles today and i was told when they got on the freeway it was like it stopped making the noise.But once when they went to get off the freeway it was like they lost the steering for a moment then it came back on. Time to park it untill its fixed. Oh what fun. I just hope it has not damaged anything else in the steering system.

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When my power steering started growling and the steering wheel began "stuttering" a bit, I didn't know that rebuild kits were available. Ordered a brand new pump, about $130 IIRC from 1stsubaruparts, and it went in quite easily--it's certainly in an easy to reach position! Immediately cleared up the problems.

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You could suck up as much fluid from the reservoir as possible and refill with fresh ATF Dexron II or III.

 

Bleeding is quite simple, get the car on loose ground like gravel and swivel the steering wheel from one extreme to the other. Hold it in the extremes for a few seconds, where pump makes a louder noise as it recirculates the fluid. Hopefully any air will be purged too.

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Thanks for the input on the power steering problem i am having. Looks like i might not get to fix it untill Monday. Have a wedding to go to today. Need to go buy wine on Sunday for a party for next weekend. My daughters coming home with my grandson this weekend and i will be babysitting for two kids. My back allready hurts. I am glad the pump is in an easy to reach place. I have been wondering if thier might be a collapsed hose on it thats deteriated on the inside.The Subie is getting kinda old. 185000miles on it. Its does seem like its starting to have a mind of its own. Thanks again

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Good morning, sucked up the oil from the resivoir 3 times , it was real dirty looking. It seemed to help a little. But its still growling and grinding. The oil did not seem to have any metal shavings , just dirty looking. Going to get a new pump to put on it this morning. I just dont want to ruin a new pump if the hoses are bad. Not sure why the oil is so dirty looking. The hoses are probably not cheap, and they look like they might be a pain to change. Does any one know if there is a way to drain all the fluid out of the power steering system before i put the new pump on? Dont want to ruin a new pump. Thanks

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Before you pull the old pump, pull the low pressure return line and route it to a bucket. Turn the wheel left or right. In one direction, you will get fluid out of the hose. Once you know which way to turn it to expel the old fluid, just go to the extremes, hooking and unhooking the return line. Make sure you keep adding fluid to the pump so you are not putting air in the system.

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New pump on. Easier than i thought it would be. Flushed all the old oil out of it. Looks like it might be ok. Still kinda wondering about the hoses. I tried to find new ones today but Sundays are not the best time to look for parts. I might have to change them if the oil gets to looking dirty again. I just want to thank everyone for your help in here. I havent been here long , but i really am likeing this place. Now if my grilfriend just appreciates me working on her car i would feel better. Thanks CW

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Good going. She will!

 

The hoses are most likely okay. If you're worried about the fluid just suck some more out, maybe over the next few weekends, and keep adding new. Pretty soon it'll be virtually "fresh" fluid.

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The hoses are most likely okay. If you're worried about the fluid just suck some more out, maybe over the next few weekends, and keep adding new. Pretty soon it'll be virtually "fresh" fluid.
Agree on the hoses. Unless they are leaking just leave 'em alone. AFA bleeding/flushing the lines a trick I saw was to unplug the ignition coil and rev the starter for a few seconds (can't find the URL just now, sorry). Rotate the steering wheel lock to lock while "starting" to bleed/flush the rack. This may be more easily accomplished with a second person minding the fluid level.
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