Anyone elses Subaru P/S pump whine. My Mom's '03 GT 4EAT ALWAYS whines. I have tires replacing the ATF in the P/S system with no luck. Any way to quite it down??

lucas power steering stuff , helped mine , i lost my power steering ,drained the little tank and added lucas ,and it came back

Mine whines, new Mobil fluid didn't help. Lucas, eh?

On fords they add a friction modifier, that they use for the LSD rear ends, that seems to quiet them down, maybe call Subaru and ask if there is a TSB on the whine, and find out what they reccomend.

I replaced with Dextron III ATF and still whines. Any other fluids That are compatable I can try??

On fords they add a friction modifier, that they use for the LSD rear ends, that seems to quiet them down, maybe call Subaru and ask if there is a TSB on the whine, and find out what they reccomend.

 

Stealership useless as usual! Told the service dept about the '03 GT and the slight P/S whine it has. They said No TSB and wanted to LOOK at it at $120 a hour!! (NO THANKS!!)

 

Is the Lucas P/S fluid stuff ATF compatable??

 

Is this the stuff for regular P/S fluid?

 

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=28&catid=2&loc=show

 

Or should we use this stuff for our Dextron III ATF based systems??

 

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=29&catid=2&loc=show

Hi,

 

Could someone describe what a power steering pump whine sounds like? That is, when do you hear it most and what's the best way to distinguish it from other whining noises coming from the engine bay.

 

I just brought my 05 Forester in for a whining noise that is coming from the engine area and they thought it was the pump. It was replaced yesterday under warranty but it seems to have not made a difference. They still say the noise is coming from the pump but I am not so sure.

 

Thanks for any info,

H98

Hydraulic pumps are noisey by nature under load (ie turning the steering wheel while parked - this is normal). A perfectly healthy pump can scream at high loads depending upon design. I do beleive that on subarus are gear pumps (as opposed to piston or vane). The easiest way to determine if the pump is making noise is by using a long screwdriver or a wooden dowel as a stethascope. One end on your ear, the other on the pump. The second method is to remove the drive belt.

Some pumps are noisier then others, and operate fine. Othertimes it can mean the belt is overtight (rare), the fluid is contaminated, most commonly low on fluid , or on its way out. Since the pump really does not do alot of work on a car (compared to what it can potentially do), it can be on its way out for quite a long time.

P/s fluid is just plain old hydraulic fluid, so you can try synthetics and other auto tranny fluids in the pump to try to quiet it. I really dont think conditioners will help since there are no friction parts like cluthes inside the system. The pump is using liquid as a medium to do mechanical work, and not as a buffer between two parts moving at different speeds.

It may be a live with it or take your chances on another pump situation.

 

nipper

You might read the owners manual, and see what fluid it reccomends

 

If you flush out, it'll take about a gallon to get the old stuff out and the new stuff in.

Whining? I hate whiners. If I were you I'd slap it good and tell it to STFU and GBTW.

 

But really, it might be just one of those things that you choose to ignore, especially if you have tried other fluids and additives with no help. Unless you want to change the pump, which is not warranted in my opinion. Lots of them make noise like that with no other ill effects.

Hydraulic pumps are noisey by nature under load (ie turning the steering wheel while parked - this is normal). A perfectly healthy pump can scream at high loads depending upon design. I do beleive that on subarus are gear pumps (as opposed to piston or vane).

 

P/s fluid is just plain old hydraulic fluid, so you can try synthetics and other auto tranny fluids in the pump to try to quiet it. I really dont think conditioners will help since there are no friction parts like cluthes inside the system. The pump is using liquid as a medium to do mechanical work, and not as a buffer between two parts moving at different speeds.

It may be a live with it or take your chances on another pump situation.

 

nipper

 

You are quite correct but the sound in my Mom's '03 GT sedan is LOUDER when the wheel is being turned i.e. UNDER load. It can STILL can be heard whining (little less) when not under load, i.e. idling with steering wheel not being touched?:-\

You are quite correct but the sound in my Mom's '03 GT sedan is LOUDER when the wheel is being turned i.e. UNDER load. It can STILL can be heard whining (little less) when not under load, i.e. idling with steering wheel not being touched?:-\

 

Without hearing it i can't tell whether it is normal or not. It Should get louder under load. i can here mine when its not under load, but only with the hood open.

Now there is a longshot that the internal pressure releif valve is stuck. Also make sure your drive belt is in good condition

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering1.htm explains how Power steering works.

 

nipper

Without hearing it i can't tell whether it is normal or not. It Should get louder under load. i can here mine when its not under load, but only with the hood open.

Now there is a longshot that the internal pressure releif valve is stuck. Also make sure your drive belt is in good condition

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering1.htm explains how Power steering works.

 

nipper

 

Do you know where that internal pressure relif valve IS in the Roo's system??

im guessing its built into the pump. I am also guessing the pressure valve that regulates boost at highwayspeed is in the pump too.

 

nipper

im guessing its built into the pump. I am also guessing the pressure valve that regulates boost at highwayspeed is in the pump too.

 

nipper

 

Anyone verify this?? Haynes does not have a diagram to go off of??

im guessing its built into the pump. I am also guessing the pressure valve that regulates boost at highwayspeed is in the pump too.

 

That's where I'd expect to see those things, yep, sure is.

That's where I'd expect to see those things, yep, sure is.

 

So how do I test guys, please don't tell me try a new P/S pump!:-\

I still think you shoud ignore it.

So how do I test guys, please don't tell me try a new P/S pump!:-\

 

how about a used pump? there is not much to test without a pressure gauge, and even then unless you have the specs, it wont mean anything. you can have a screaming pump and perfectly good pressure. You may have the pump bearing going from an over tightend belt. Ever had any work done to the front of the engine?

 

 

nipper

how about a used pump? there is not much to test without a pressure gauge, and even then unless you have the specs, it wont mean anything. you can have a screaming pump and perfectly good pressure. You may have the pump bearing going from an over tightend belt. Ever had any work done to the front of the engine?

 

 

nipper

 

No work done to the engine except spark plug replacement at all the GT sedan only has 40k and it is '03.

If a PS pump screams excessively one test is to jack up the car and measure resistance to turn. A frozen ball joint or sticky rack can easily cause pump whine.

No work done to the engine except spark plug replacement at all the GT sedan only has 40k and it is '03.

 

was just curious if somone overtightend a belt ....hrmmm... gives me an idea. Spray water on the belt and see if it quiets down. Also spray some wd40 on the shaft and see if it gets quiet

 

nipper

was just curious if somone overtightend a belt ....hrmmm... gives me an idea. Spray water on the belt and see if it quiets down. Also spray some wd40 on the shaft and see if it gets quiet

 

nipper

 

I will try that, thanks.

I will try that, thanks.

 

Well just did another suck-out and replace with fresh Dextron III ATF seems quieter for the moment.

Well it's about time! We're expecting an update in 2010.