Comments on: Why Is The Power Steering Making Noise on My Subaru Outback? http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/ Mon, 21 May 2012 19:02:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: christy http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-105353 christy Thu, 10 May 2012 04:01:35 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-105353 I am hearing the same noise in my 2007 ford edge. I am hearing the same noise in my 2007 ford edge.

]]> By: Kelly http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-104564 Kelly Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:35:36 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-104564 where did you get your 34439AE020 O-ring? I have a 2001 LLBean H6 3.0 w 160K and the same P/S pump groaning problem. where did you get your 34439AE020 O-ring?
I have a 2001 LLBean H6 3.0 w 160K and the same P/S pump groaning problem.

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103478 Justin Stobb Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:40:50 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103478 If its an Auto an the Transfer clutches are binding, you can put the Fuse in the AWD holder underhood until the Cows come home and it wont do you any good. Putting the Fuse in cuts the transfer clutch Solenoid's ability to activate trans fluid under pressure to the Clutches in the Transfer Housing not the front Diff, that is a common misconception. If the Auto Temp light isn't flashing then its not electrical in nature. If it has an aftermarket right front axle you could have a judder at low speeds as well, see the Cv axle article. If the transfer clutches are binding, I would start with a Transmission Flush and go from there. Subaru are not known for having power steering issues that are not obvious. Because you mention it comes up through the steering wheel have you loosened the front axle nuts and then checked the hubs for play? Justin If its an Auto an the Transfer clutches are binding, you can put the Fuse in the AWD holder underhood until the Cows come home and it wont do you any good.

Putting the Fuse in cuts the transfer clutch Solenoid’s ability to activate trans fluid under pressure to the Clutches in the Transfer Housing not the front Diff, that is a common misconception.

If the Auto Temp light isn’t flashing then its not electrical in nature. If it has an aftermarket right front axle you could have a judder at low speeds as well, see the Cv axle article.

If the transfer clutches are binding, I would start with a Transmission Flush and go from there. Subaru are not known for having power steering issues that are not obvious.

Because you mention it comes up through the steering wheel have you loosened the front axle nuts and then checked the hubs for play?

Justin

]]> By: James http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103440 James Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:02:50 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103440 Thanks for the quick reply! I was suspecting a viscous(however it is an automatic) coupling at first and also the diff seems overfilled. Being a Toyota tech for a long time I have experienced some bad ones but the way this one shudders through the steering wheel instead of up through the body and it doesn't have to be on really sharp turns made me start to think different. I can make it do it even swaying the car as in checking for wheel bearing noise but it seems it has to be under 10 mph (Pretty much the way the bulletin says which made me think I might be on to something...lol). I did drive it without the P.S. belt too just to see what it did and I felt it a little but didn't quite have the frequency it does with the belt on (maybe eliminating the pump?) So trying to justify getting a hose thinking if it were partially collapsed inside maybe....grasping straws...lol...Also I installed the fwd fuse to see how it acted because of another article I read. No change and not quite sure exactly what it does or if it takes the coupling out of the loop. I think it's worth a try to at least change the fluid in the diff to see if it changes before I go ordering an $80 hose though. Sometimes it can be a temporary fix to just verify that's where the problem is. Do you recommend any fluids/additives for Subaru diffs? Or do the Subaru's respond to the fluid change like some other manufacture's? Feel free to comment on anything I did here right or wrong. I am a one man show here in Va and don't know any expert Subaru techs to pick their brain...lol... Thanks Again! James Thanks for the quick reply! I was suspecting a viscous(however it is an automatic) coupling at first and also the diff seems overfilled. Being a Toyota tech for a long time I have experienced some bad ones but the way this one shudders through the steering wheel instead of up through the body and it doesn’t have to be on really sharp turns made me start to think different. I can make it do it even swaying the car as in checking for wheel bearing noise but it seems it has to be under 10 mph (Pretty much the way the bulletin says which made me think I might be on to something…lol). I did drive it without the P.S. belt too just to see what it did and I felt it a little but didn’t quite have the frequency it does with the belt on (maybe eliminating the pump?) So trying to justify getting a hose thinking if it were partially collapsed inside maybe….grasping straws…lol…Also I installed the fwd fuse to see how it acted because of another article I read. No change and not quite sure exactly what it does or if it takes the coupling out of the loop. I think it’s worth a try to at least change the fluid in the diff to see if it changes before I go ordering an $80 hose though. Sometimes it can be a temporary fix to just verify that’s where the problem is. Do you recommend any fluids/additives for Subaru diffs? Or do the Subaru’s respond to the fluid change like some other manufacture’s? Feel free to comment on anything I did here right or wrong. I am a one man show here in Va and don’t know any expert Subaru techs to pick their brain…lol…

Thanks Again!
James

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103429 Justin Stobb Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:23:20 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103429 I would look into either a transfer clutch issue if an Automatic, or Viscous Coupler issue if a manual transmission. The TSB for Steering lines doesn't really resolve anything, I suspect you have a drive train bind on tight turns, which is common. Justin I would look into either a transfer clutch issue if an Automatic, or Viscous Coupler issue if a manual transmission.

The TSB for Steering lines doesn’t really resolve anything, I suspect you have a drive train bind on tight turns, which is common.

Justin

]]> By: James http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103423 James Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:44:09 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-103423 Hey Justin, I am working on a 2001 Legacy GT. It has a steering shudder at low speed turning. The rack was leaking so I put a rack in in and the problem persists. I replaced the o'rings at the pump inlet as described here and even left the shrouds off. Still have the shudder. I found a tsb that says remove clamps from pressure line and if no change, replace the hose which I just found out has been updated again. Part #34610ae09c. The C at the end means its been updated for the third time. Have you had any luck with this? It also states if that doesn't fix it replace the pump? I am just not trying to throw this customers money out the window being I just replaced his leaking rack and still have the problem. No bubbles seen in the reservoir and it seems as though I can only make the car do it while moving slowly. Not in the air and not always noticeable when sitting still and if it seems noticeable it is very slight unless I am moving. Thanks in advance! James Master ASE Technician Hey Justin,
I am working on a 2001 Legacy GT. It has a steering shudder at low speed turning. The rack was leaking so I put a rack in in and the problem persists. I replaced the o’rings at the pump inlet as described here and even left the shrouds off. Still have the shudder. I found a tsb that says remove clamps from pressure line and if no change, replace the hose which I just found out has been updated again. Part #34610ae09c. The C at the end means its been updated for the third time. Have you had any luck with this? It also states if that doesn’t fix it replace the pump? I am just not trying to throw this customers money out the window being I just replaced his leaking rack and still have the problem. No bubbles seen in the reservoir and it seems as though I can only make the car do it while moving slowly. Not in the air and not always noticeable when sitting still and if it seems noticeable it is very slight unless I am moving. Thanks in advance!
James
Master ASE Technician

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102738 Justin Stobb Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:42:04 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102738 Glad I could have helped! Glad I could have helped!

]]> By: Joe http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102736 Joe Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:16:09 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102736 Thanks a million Justin. I had my alternator out (2000 Outback) for bearing replacement yesterday. I put it all back together and all seemed fine. This morning my wife told me that the car was making a ton of noise as she was pulling out of the driveway. My assumption was that I had mis-diagnosed the alternator and that I needed a PS pump. I was ready to purchase one on the way home today before stumbling across your article. Thanks again for posting. You probably just saved me a bunch of time, money and grief. Thanks a million Justin. I had my alternator out (2000 Outback) for bearing replacement yesterday. I put it all back together and all seemed fine. This morning my wife told me that the car was making a ton of noise as she was pulling out of the driveway. My assumption was that I had mis-diagnosed the alternator and that I needed a PS pump. I was ready to purchase one on the way home today before stumbling across your article. Thanks again for posting. You probably just saved me a bunch of time, money and grief.

]]> By: craig dunkel http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102682 craig dunkel Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:10:33 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102682 Darn!! I had high hopes for this solution. Darn!! I had high hopes for this solution.

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102674 Justin Stobb Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:11:18 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-102674 No Craig, The article pertains to a specific issue with the 2000 to 2004, yours is a 2005 and has its own set of possibilities mainly a rock hard return line house allowing air into the system where its clamped as it can no longer seal properly. Justin No Craig,

The article pertains to a specific issue with the 2000 to 2004, yours is a 2005 and has its own set of possibilities mainly a rock hard return line house allowing air into the system where its clamped as it can no longer seal properly.

Justin

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