:-\I have a 1999 Legacy wagon. I've had the power steering flushed by two different garages and it still isn't right. It still binds intermitently.

Could the binding be related to suspension problems?

Have someone look at the rack itself. Chance the mounting bushings may be worn or the rack is just loose.

Can just be the rack is shut.

 

Explain to us un greater detail waht you mean by binding.

 

nipper

It's hard to turn the wheel then it suddenly loosens off. It seemed fine right after the flush, both times. Then it tightened up again. It's not as bad on highway driving than in town where there are more sharp 45* turns. It tightens up more on left turns that right ones. Sometimes I have to use a lot of muscle power to turn the steering wheel. It turns like a tank.

Others will prolly talk about potential torque bind problems, but my guess is that your power steering pump is the problem. If you are handy, for little money you can get a used one from a wrecking yard. Doing a swap to install the new one is very easy, simply unbolt, then bolt on a new pump.

Well the true test for torquebind (as hard steering can be either) is that the car should be able to move in a tight circle at idle or with very little throttle. If it can, its the PS pump.

 

Another thing to try is (again in a parking lot) Remove the PS pump and see if the issue goes away. A binding rack will still bind, but a bad PS pump the problem will go away (but be hard to turn the wheel).

 

nipper

the whole issue here could be "torque bind" as in the transmission clutches for rear wheel engagement. How many miles on the car?

might not even be steering related except for when turning tight circles which is torque bind not in the rack or pump.

Steering shaft U-joint?

Steering shaft U-joint?

 

Oooo i forgot about that one

 

 

nipper

Thank you for all your help solving my power steering mystery. I will pass this on to my mechanic.

 

Linda

If you do replace the pump and fluid, you should add a Magnefine in-line filter. The pump makes a lot of contamination and that will shorten the life of your p/s system. check http://www.broncograveyard.com for one of these filters. Also, if your exhaust heat shields were removed, that excessive heat can cause premature failure on the p/s rack seals.