murphsubaru Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I just replaced the rack and pinion on my 99 Forester with 169,000 miles. It was replaced because it was leaking. Before the replacement, occasionally the steering felt stiff especially around curves and corners. The problem remains, is my pump failing???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Have you checked belt condition? Belt tension? Using the proper fluid? What about your tires? Are they aired up to the correct pressure? Torque bind can cause steering feel issues. Do you have an automatic or manual trans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphsubaru Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 It's an automatic, yes tires pressure is correct, belt fine, fluid changed with rack and pinion replacement. Sometimes on the freeway steering feels like it is tight or stuck. This problem started about a month before the rack started leaking. I had to occasionally add fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Do you know if that car has speed sensitive steering? Most newer cars do, I don't know when or if the Forester ever got that though. But that sort of feature is generally controlled by an electric valve on the pump or rack that just controls fluid pressure to the steering gear. These can malfunction and cause hard steering issues. But you have to have the valve for it to malfunction. (imagine that) Before you replace/rebuild the pump, put a fuse in the FWD fuse holder under the hood, take the car for a drive and see if it changes anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Used P/S pump purchased from a wrecking yard cost about $40 around here. Easy to install, when mine broke on my 91 Subie. A good chance this will fix the problem, if not, being out $40 is not all that bad. In comparison, simple diagnostic work done at the dealer cost $100 or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Have your ball joints checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 One other thing to consider is to lubricate the U-Joint that connects the steering wheel shaft to the rack. There have been other reports of temporarily stiff steering being fixed by just lubing the U-Joint. Its cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarl Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 This may be a stupid question, but: is your PS pump leaking? My '99 OBW PS pump was leaking really badly, and the engine I put on it (90K miles) showed marks of having at least a small leak originally. The rebuild kit is $15 or so Is it possible your PS fluid is getting aerated somehow? JR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphsubaru Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 Power steering pump is not leaking, ball joints have been replaced. I oiled the u-joints coming out of the firewall but not near the rack. I'll try that next. Thanks for all the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 One other thing to consider is to lubricate the U-Joint that connects the steering wheel shaft to the rack. There have been other reports of temporarily stiff steering being fixed by just lubing the U-Joint. Its cheap! How is the U-joint lubed? Is there a zurk fitting on the U-joint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphsubaru Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 What is a zurk fitting?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike104 Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Zerk fitting is another name for a grease fitting or grease nipple The U-Joint is open and I lubed mine with WD40. Any lube would probably work but you may have to consider your environment to determine which type would work best at your location Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 nope, no grease fittings. i used an oil can a squirted 30W oil on it. not ideal, but if it relieves the symptoms then you know what the problem is. you can always buy a used or new replacement part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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