Ok, what's the skinny? Can I use ANYTHING other than the $19.08 per Qt. Subaru PS Fluid or is there something else out there I can buy from a local parts store? I just found a mechanic that happends to have some at his shop and he will pro-rate the cost only problem is I have to go 1 hr away to get it I goto msla alot tho, just don't wana drive too much with it low. It's actually not as low as I originally thought, it is on the stick about 3/8 below the lower part of the cold range on the stick cold, so I guess it's fairly safe to drive. I have been searching the board for some time and have found no answers ... the owner's manual says ONLY Special Subaru PS fluid. Thanks in advance!

best to stick to that XT6 specific power steering fluid unfortunately. if someone has it, have them mail it to you in a soda bottle or something (tell them the soda is on you).

 

before pouring in this "liquid gold" i'd make sure you check for leaks. usually the smaller rubber hose with clamps is the one prone to leaking. being that's it's off the shelf hosing that costs a couple quarters, i'd go ahead and replace it before adding any of this stuff. if it's low, it's low for a reason. it doesn't just disappear or go down due to normal usage like brake fluid does. there are only like 40 or 50 bottles left in the US i believe. i bought like 4 of them once i found out.

there are only like 40 or 50 bottles left in the US i believe. i bought like 4 of them once i found out.

 

holy freakin crap!!!!

 

ive worked on hydraulic tools alot, so im at least familiar with hydraulic basics... what is so special about this fluid? any clues?

 

i realize its power steering, and not power assist like 99.999% of cars with "power steering", but beyond that factoid, i (obviously) dont know jack about the system. just idle curiosity.

i've never seen anyone on the XT6 groups deciper this and i don't know either. it is said that the seals in the pump go bad if you use the wrong type of fluid. i have never had that happen (i always use the right stuff), but that's what i've heard. the XT6 does not have a belt driven power steering pump. it's an electrical pump dedicated to the XT6 only. so it's completely unrelated to any other power steering pump. the pump is controlled by a power controller and computer. the power assist is varied dependant on vehicle speed and steering sensor input. it has various modes of operation dependant on a few driving variables.

i've never seen anyone on the XT6 groups deciper this and i don't know either. it is said that the seals in the pump go bad if you use the wrong type of fluid. i have never had that happen (i always use the right stuff), but that's what i've heard. the XT6 does not have a belt driven power steering pump. it's an electrical pump dedicated to the XT6 only. so it's completely unrelated to any other power steering pump. the pump is controlled by a power controller and computer. the power assist is varied dependant on vehicle speed and steering sensor input. it has various modes of operation dependant on a few driving variables.

 

 

that was a great nutshell. i was under the impression that the XT6's steering was full power, and NOT power assist... but i was obviously misshapen

 

sounds over-engineered to me. im assuming its more trouble than it is worth to try and retrofit a more standard EA82 power steering system on there, huh?

 

here i go threadjacking again. hey, i figure its all data, it just might help :-p

im assuming its more trouble than it is worth to try and retrofit a more standard EA82 power steering system on there, huh?

i would never consider doing it, but the rack and lines would swap easily. the pump would be the issue...nowhere to bolt it and would have to figure out mounting, new belts/pulleys....

 

but i would never do it. the XT6 power steering, while over engineered is nearly flawless in my experience. i've put probably 300,000 miles on XT6's and have never done anything but replace the brushes (very easy). i have an extra power controller and computer if i ever needed, got a few actually. but never have. they are very easy to replace anyway if i ever needed too. i'm all about ditching the belt and having it electric.

 

iwhich is why i converted my XT Turbo EA82T to XT6 power steering. replaced the EA82T XT Turbo rack, lines and pump with all XT6 stuff.

Flawless except for the fact that you have to my $20.00 a bottle of fluid.... but it sounds kinda cool that its electric!

It may be expensive, but supposedly, it's all you'd ever need for the life of the car, unless you have a leak.

This goes back to old VW technology: they used to use essentially the same thing. It's mineral oil based (hell, it may be plain ol' mineral oil, like you can buy at Walgreens for a couple of bucks :-\ for all I know).

 

Emily

http://www.ccrengines.com

Isn't there an XT6 owner in the land down under running ATF in his and has yet to have a problem?

 

Also makes me wonder, how many uneducated XT6 owners out there are running with ATF and have yet to see ill-effects?

 

Also makes me wonder, how many uneducated XT6 owners out there are running with ATF and have yet to see ill-effects?

 

then it makes me wonder, how many XT6 owners are left that are uneducated at this point...:-p

Isn't there an XT6 owner in the land down under running ATF in his and has yet to have a problem?

yes, Dima is running ATF i believe. others have posted of serious leaks (as the owners manual suggests i believe) in the past though.

Mine had ATF in it when I got it, and the pump leaked rather bad, but then I broke it anyway and got a new one. Another thing I noticed when it was cold out, the thicker ATF made the pump bog and one could overrun it rather easily, and thats even with the fluid heater. It also drew a huge amount of amps when it was cold, but that also might have been the brushes going:-\