Our outback had a power steering fluid leak at the rack and i assumed because low on fluid was causing the loss of power steering, especially at low speeds. I had the rack replaced and that stopped the leak bit not the steering problem. I then replaced the pump and still not fixed.

 

Any ideas what might be going on here?

1. The symptoms didn't change AT ALL with the rack and pump change? 

2. the power steering belt is attached, properly tightened and turning? 

3.  Is the car running and driving properly with no engines issues?

4 . a separating crank pulley will cause all the accessories to slow down and perform poorly - the steering and the alternator so you'd have charging issues/battery light as well. 

 

describe exactly what is happening.  

 

never has power steering ever?  or it comes and goes - describe?

 

What do you mean by "especially at low speeds"?  

 

any noises? 

 

any vibrations?

At low speed turns the power steering kinda surges. No other issues, belt tight, pullies tight, guns great. Seems fine at higher speeds but you can feel a surge, like it wants to fail but not quite.

^^^^^

 

look for bubbles in the PS tank while idling (may need a helper to turn wheel back and forth) - easy fix with o-rings or hose clamps, very common

 

 

and +1 to possible crank pulley

do you feel this surge like a grabbing/releasing in the whole car? or just in the steering wheel?

 

will the car turn tight circles on dry pavement without jerking/binding?

 

 

(is the car a 5spd or auto? all 4 tires identical?)

Edited December 19, 20178 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

Auto, 4 new matching tires, and does circles fine.

 

It's almost like something is trying to bind up when turning the steering wheel

I just feel it in the steering wheel. Not the whole car

Where did the replacement parts come from? Remanufactured?

 

We've had terrible luck with remanufactured power steering components lately. We've had several Subarus in for pumps, reman one non-functional out of the box, warrantied once or twice before we give up and put a new OE one in, which works perfectly.

 

 

Get a decent used pump and try that.

some folks feel a repetitive binding at 10 and 2 ,or, 11 and 1 o'clock positions that is from the u-joint on the column.

 

strut bearings might be binding some too.

 

I'd really want to confirm there's no bubbles in the PS fluid - very common.

The pump was from a doner car that I know worked good. I will check for bubbles and the joint on the column.

 

Thanks guys

Ujoint will cause lumpy steering wheel movement through the range and the wheel can feel loose or like it's hanging up at particular points.

 

Look at the ujoints and you may see play or shiny metal where it's wearing when the play causes metal on metal rubbing.  Sometimes they're hard to tell until you remove them. 

 

They're easily replaced.  loosen bolts and it'll slide down the shaft far enough to come off - hard part is maintaining steering wheel alignment.