So the power steering pump on my 87 GL has started making constant noise.  I'm sure its been doing it awhile, but I just got the exhaust done and can now actually hear the engine.  Its not the belt squealing, just sounds like the pump has had enough.  It's kinda a wirring/ light squeal when I turn the wheels at slow speeds.  The pump or power steering system isn't leaking, so that leads me to believe the pump is dying a slow death.  But I could be wrong... Any insight?

 

Are guys just replacing the pumps or rebuilding them?  OEM or is there something good aftermarket.

I have a used one that I purchased from a fellow member on the board. I am swapping engines so I won't be needing it. Let me know if you end up needing one, we'll figure out a fair price.

1.  if the fluid is 20 years old you'd be surprised what changing it might do.

 

2.  used every time on these.   looks like you already got an offer on the table in the first post.

a few reasons to avoid new:
a.  expensive

b.  they don't fail very often, so used is a great option

c.  new aftermarkets aren't as robust as the original Subaru units so in some ways a used one and a new one may not be that far off in reliability.

Edited May 15, 201411 yr by grossgary

1.  if the fluid is 20 years old you'd be surprised what changing it might do.

 

2.  used every time on these.   looks like you already got an offer on the table in the first post.

a few reasons to avoid new:

a.  expensive

b.  they don't fail very often, so used is a great option

c.  new aftermarkets aren't as robust as the original Subaru units so in some ways a used one and a new one may not be that far off in reliability.

Interesting... Looks like I'm going to change the fluid first then.  Thanks for the info.

I have a used one that I purchased from a fellow member on the board. I am swapping engines so I won't be needing it. Let me know if you end up needing one, we'll figure out a fair price.

Thanks!  I'll be sure to send you a pm if the fluid change doesn't work out.  

Same thing is happening to my car, and the wheel has become difficult to turn. Fluid is very dark, I'll give changing it a try before I replace the pump.

sounds like a junkyard part to me.. Thats what i had to do years ago on my loyale, and more recently on a legacy. both worked great with no problems

You could try being a mad scientist... Inadvertently dumped quite a bit of Restore (bottle was punctured and dumped into a diff one wasn't re marked as such) it's been a month now and nothing detrimental has happened yet, sealed a leak off my rack tho lol

Use automatic transmission fluid. Not power steering fluid. ATF is lighter on the internals. Easier steering as well