I have a 97 Outback Legacy wagon that’s having power steering problems. When I try to turn the wheel slightly it’s very resistive initially. Then as I turn the wheel more it seems to get easier to turn, but has the feel of going from easy to turn to hard in the course of a 90 degree turn. Over the last month I have changed out both the power steering pump, and rack and pinion to no avail. Any ideas?

sounds like torque bind, do search here to learn about it.

If this is happening at a dead stop then you probably have a binding u-joint in the steering shaft. They can get rusty and basically seize up.

 

If it's happeneing while moving then it's probably the torque bind as already mentioned. Could be an artifact of that.

 

GD

If it changes with the angle of the steering wheel, it is most likely the universal joint in the steering shaft.

 

 

 

nipper

I had this same problem on my SVX. It was the universals on the steering shaft. I sprayed them liberally with WD40 and they loosened up immediately.

they don't fail often and aren't hard to replace, i'd go used on these. i can garauntee folks on here have one, post in the parts wanted forum. i can't even imagine Subaru's price on something like this.

Over the weekend I sprayed the universals with 10W-40, it seem to be all better now.

 

Thank You for all your suggestions..