1999 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon, 130,000 miles.

 

Howdy, I had the timing belt/waterpump/O2 sensor replaced on my Outback after noticing severely reduced fuel mileage and repeated CEL with codes indicating replacement of the Knock Sensor.

 

1 1/2 weeks later, with only in-town driving in there, noticed a groan when turning the steering wheel. Checked the power steering fluid, and noticed it was low. Needed about a half a quart, the groan went away. Didn't notice any hoses ajar from the top-side of things.

 

Two days later, I noticed leaks just behind the front Driver's side tire, looked underneath and all the parts on that side of the axle looked soaked with steering fluid. It was groaning again and I noticed a small squeak at low speeds. Power steering fluid was low, and I filled it with a bottle of the Lucas Stop Leak (I know, don't expect too much from a mechanic in a bottle).

 

The next day, after a day of busy in-town driving, it was groaning again.

Topped off the power steering fluid again with a 1/2 a quart, and took it back to the shop where I had the Timing Belt/Water Pump/Knock Sensor replaced. They informed me a couple hours later that the leak was coming from the rack and pinion steering, and recommended replacement of that system...to the tune of $600 dollars all together for parts and labor.

 

Can't get over how quickly the leak started after the initial repair, could there be a connection? Never heard of rack and pinion steering going out on a car. But am worried about what might happen if I keep driving it, just topping off the power steering fluid every couple days. Could the leak affect other areas of the car, especially with where it's leaking right at the front Driver's side tire?

Definitely not something new. It happens. With my car my hoses are very leaky. Same goes for the pump. I rebuilt the seals on my pump, and it was still leaking, turned out to be the gasket between the tank and the pump itself.

Usually the pumps leak. But sometimes the rack leaks.

 

I've had tremendous success with Lucas PS fix stuff.

 

Including on the GF's old 96 Impreza. Was leaking badly, boots missing, etc.

 

Added Lucas IIR at about 140k. When it was totalled w/240k I had still never repaired anything and never had to add fluid again.

I am going to try that. Did you have leaks at the hoses to? I only tried adding lucas tranny fix which is also a stop leak since I had some.

So I brought it in to my mechanic who pointed out a boot, not a CV boot, but another rubber boot on the driver's side, about 8-10 inches in from the wheel. This boot's sleeve, where it attaches to the rack and pinion system via a round spring clamp, had completely broken and power steering fluid would spill out of it when you poke the boot with your finger. I was told the power steering leak was likely somewhere internal to the rack and pinion system, and the fluid was leaking out the open end of the rubber boot.

 

Was warned that eventually if i wasn't on top of keeping the power steering reservoir filled, i could burn out the power steering pump.

 

The rack and pinion, new from the dealer is $802, and the labor is about $450, and it includes a flush of the power steering fluid.

 

I feel like I'm getting ripped off here. They just worked on my car 2 weeks ago replacing the timing belt/water pump/knock sensor...now I've got this? I can't believe that the mechanic doing the work missed the power steering fluid leaking all over the floor of the garage bay.

That's where the GF's was leaking on both sides. The Lucas fixed hers - YMMV.

 

FYI I called the dealer she works with. They actually recommended used. Said a lot of the reman's they installed leaked. I thought the Lucas was worth a shot. Lasted roughly 2 years and another 100k (total 240k on the original rack) until car was totalled.

 

It's less than 10 bucks. Worst that can happen is that it continues to leak.

 

If you put ATF additive in it I don't know what that would do. I don't know if it has the same detergent level, etc.

 

If it's cold bring the Lucas in the house overnight before using it. It is about the same consistency as the ATF additive.

If you have added any regular power steering fluid, that may be contributing to the leaks. Drain and refill with regular dex/merc ATF

 

Always use ATF in your Subarus power steering pump.