Hey guys. Noticed on my wife's 07 impreza that it sounds like I have a Ford power steering pump on the Subie.

I got the car with 24,000 miles and it is now at 145,000. Is it time to replace it??

Fluid level? Any leaks?

It’s usually not the pump but air getting into it.

 

Have you checked the fluid level?

Any leaks?

 

It’s often an oring, if yours has an oring between the pump and reservoir. Is your reservoir on top of the pump or off to the side?

 

Look for leaks around the hoses attached to the pump. Replace any that are wet.

 

Some EJ engines (I forget which years have this set up) have a serpentine belt cover that needs properly installed as well or it pulls on the lines enough to cause noise. If this started after a belt change or some other front end work then check the serpentine belt cover. Though it’s been awhile so I forget which EJ engines this situation applies too.

Edited January 8, 20188 yr by idosubaru

look in the PS tank for bubbles while idling - you may need to pull the intake snorkel off and have a helper turn the wheel.

 

if you have bubbles (ok, one or 2 every few seconds from splashing is fine) you need to do as said above, stop air from being sucked in.

 

however, if the evidence points to a bad pump, they are known to be very robust parts and you can save some $$ by swapping in a pump from a wreck. car-part.com or maybe LKQ

I have no leaks, fluid level right on the money. It is original P.S. pump.

the issue i mentioned is 00-04 related, so not yours. 

 

1.  look for bubbles after you've significantly heard the noise

2.  change the fluid?

3.  replace orings/hoses close to the pump - they don't have to leak, they simply suck in air.  

 

Subaru power steering failure is rare, it's common to replace one and still have symptoms because people swear it's gotta be the pump. 

 

That said - used pumps are cheap since they never fail there's zero demand.  www.car-part.com, ebay, etc. 

unless severe enough to foam fluid out of the tank, it won't leak fluid OUT, it sucks air IN.

 

look in the tank while the car is making the noise. On some tanks it's tricky, you have to get your eye right done to the top of the tank.

 

I had to do the o-ring replacement on my 06 WRX last year. noise and 'notchy-feeling' steering.

Edited January 8, 20188 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

Is there a part number for the o-rings you guys are mentioning??

 

After you said "air" it makes sense.

I’ve only ever matched them up, don’t know.

might be able to get a part number digging around at www.opposedforces.com or by calling a dealer I guess?

I just did that O ring on our Outback, old one was as hard as plastic.

 

MSRP on it from the dealer was less than $2. That and a couple worm clamps on the suction hose seem to have solved my fluid aeration problem.

Cool guys. Thx. I will let you know what I find out.

Get a new o-ring and suction hose. Should fix the problem. I use double Oetiker ear clamps on the pump elbow. 

 

GD

You wouldn't happen to know the exact size now would you???

subaru sells a whole kit to renew the pumps.  about $40 bucks for seals and o-ring and a bearing.

subaru sells a whole kit to renew the pumps.  about $40 bucks for seals and o-ring and a bearing.

 

I don't think any come with the bearing. And they stopped offering them around 2004

The O-Ring PN for the Elbow fitting is 34439FG000

 

https://parts.subaru.com/a/Subaru_2007_Impreza-Sedan-25L-AT-4WD/_54100_6027967/OIL-PUMP-PUMP-04MY-/G11-348-05.html

 

You may be able to remove the O-ring and take it to a parts store to match it rather than buying the $2 part from Subaru

Edited January 19, 20188 yr by Mike104

subaru sells a whole kit to renew the pumps.  about $40 bucks for seals and o-ring and a bearing.

 

2002 was the last year for reseal kits. They are no longer offered. 

 

GD