Folks here (incl. nipper, gary) helped me diagnose and locate the problem with our 2003 Outback. We had a leak somewhere around the inner tie rod on the driver's side. Turns out it is the rack leaking, as nipper originally suggested. The power steering level wasn't dropping because the boots were holding all the fluid and leaking very slightly. But, gonna need a new one it seems. Any suggestions on where to look for a reman'ed OE Subaru rack?

 

Also, ordered a PCV valve for this rig (2.5 4 cyl.) from subarupartsforyou online, but it is definitely not the right one. I'll check with them, but has anyone had this problem? The one they sent is threaded and way bigger than what's in there.

 

What would I do without USMB?

If a 97 rack will fit I have one in a parts car that is in good shape. I'm not that far away and if you want to come and get it the car is almost ready to go to the crusher.

Thank you very much for the offer, but we went ahead and ordered a new one from a dealer. Frankly, I have no idea if the 97 gear would fit the 03.

used is a good option for subaru steering racks. they fail so rarely in Subaru's that i would feel completely comfortable swapping in a used one...even on 1980's subaru's. actually i did my XT6 last year, just installed a used one.

 

but you've already ordered one so no big deal.

 

as for the PCV - they remained largely unchanged from the late 80's all the way through the 90's. EA, ER, and EJ PCV valves are the same.

 

so that leads me to believe that maybe there's a difference between the EZ30 and EJ25 engines. sounds like you may have gotten an EZ30 PCV valve instead of an EJ25? or the EJ25 PCV valve is indeed different than earlier years and they sent the wrong one.

 

but you didn't mention which motor you have so i'm really speculating in multiple fronts here.

'03 2.5 (per your 1st post) is PN: 11810AA040

11810AA040 Outback

2002-2008 Engine PCV PCV VALE FOR ALL 2002-2008 LEGACY OUTBACK 2.5 (NON H6) (NON TURBO)

 

 

'03 3.0-Here's a pic of the P/N:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3166&d=1097973143

 

Here's pic of the comparison:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3123&d=1096256188

i would almost make a bet it was the "hose to the rack" that was leaking. is your dealer good at diagnosing, did you get a second opinion?

If its too late and you replaced it, does the new one leak too? HOSE (why, cause an 03 is not gonna have a bad rack)

also, do you do your own wrenching, cause the dealers make good money on this job, if you do it yourself you will save a grand.

I guess I paid more for my peace of mind with regard to the rack. Just sold my old, reliable Toyota pickup (22RE) and now I want that Soob to last through anything for me.

 

And I'm pretty sure the rack is bad, not just a hose. Both boots were full of fluid and soft. It's pretty substantial. Could a hose do that?

 

Two dealers I called for prices said that they had seen a "fair" number of bad racks come through on 2002-2004 models. They were independent dealers and both said the same thing, so unless they're running a game, maybe it's not too uncommon?? Or else I have real bad luck... maybe my time was up.

 

As for the PCV, they sent an old one - PN 11810AA000. New one on the way. That old one has way bigger ends.

They temporarily moved the PCV down toward the engine block for a couple years off and on but I havent been able to pinpoint what years exactly.