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/ All Wheel Drive Auto is a unique independent Seattle area Expert Subaru service & repair facility. We combine years of dealer experience with a local neighborhood shop atmosphere. We use high quality Subaru parts & test equipment and have the expert knowledge to fix it right the first time. Call us at 425-828-3600 to get a quote or find out more. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:58:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8418 Justin Stobb Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:01:15 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8418 Raffles, If you look in the power steering reservoir while the car is running it will be very evident if there is any air entering the system and causing the fluid to aerate. Justin Raffles,

If you look in the power steering reservoir while the car is running it will be very evident if there is any air entering the system and causing the fluid to aerate.

Justin

]]> By: Raffles http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8368 Raffles Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:39:24 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8368 so I just did as directed on my car. I also recently had the power steering fluid drained, and new fluid added. I don't know if there is air getting into the system or not, but I think that there is because the fluid level is way above the recommended amount; so I'm assuming that there is an air bubble in the system. are there any other ways to check to see if air is in the system? the Fluid does not look aerated, but I'm not sure what aerated fluid looks like. last question, can you put new rotors on after you have installed new pads? I had the pads replaced, but I feel that I should have done rotors at the same time. Thought's? so I just did as directed on my car. I also recently had the power steering fluid drained, and new fluid added. I don’t know if there is air getting into the system or not, but I think that there is because the fluid level is way above the recommended amount; so I’m assuming that there is an air bubble in the system.

are there any other ways to check to see if air is in the system? the Fluid does not look aerated, but I’m not sure what aerated fluid looks like.

last question, can you put new rotors on after you have installed new pads? I had the pads replaced, but I feel that I should have done rotors at the same time. Thought’s?

]]> By: Raffles http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8365 Raffles Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:54:18 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8365 I drive a 2003 Legacy Wagon 2.5 with 96,000 miles. Recently, when I start to car and begin to turn the wheel when it's still cold and I'm at a standstill, the steering if very inconsistant with a loud whine. I had the fluid changed, but I fear that there is still air in the system. I think that I am having a similar problem to most people above and I am going to try and flush the system this weekend as directed above. Does this sounds like the same problem Justin. Any help you can give would be great. I drive a 2003 Legacy Wagon 2.5 with 96,000 miles. Recently, when I start to car and begin to turn the wheel when it’s still cold and I’m at a standstill, the steering if very inconsistant with a loud whine. I had the fluid changed, but I fear that there is still air in the system.

I think that I am having a similar problem to most people above and I am going to try and flush the system this weekend as directed above. Does this sounds like the same problem Justin. Any help you can give would be great.

]]> By: Jeremy http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8102 Jeremy Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:19:27 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-8102 Justin, Thanks from Kennewick! A few years back I had the local Subaru dealer replace the alternator on our 2001 Outback. When we arrived to pick up the car, they mentioned we'd need a new power steering pump because it had begun making a terrible noise. I couldn't afford it, drove the car home, loosened the belt a bit and I suppose inadvertently fixed the problem, because it went away. I then figured the dealer was being dishonest in trying to sell me a $450 plus pump install and said I'd never go there again. Today I replaced the AC compressor belt and had this issue reappear, and your advice helped a lot! Wow, what a touchy system. I replaced the spring clamp (seen in your 2nd photo) with a screw clamp on the power steering pump intake and the system flushed itself in about five seconds after I restarted the engine (no fluid change necessary; nice). Next time I take the car by the dealer I'll let them know about this and apologize for mistrusting them. Thank you, Jeremy Justin,

Thanks from Kennewick! A few years back I had the local Subaru dealer replace the alternator on our 2001 Outback. When we arrived to pick up the car, they mentioned we’d need a new power steering pump because it had begun making a terrible noise. I couldn’t afford it, drove the car home, loosened the belt a bit and I suppose inadvertently fixed the problem, because it went away. I then figured the dealer was being dishonest in trying to sell me a $450 plus pump install and said I’d never go there again.

Today I replaced the AC compressor belt and had this issue reappear, and your advice helped a lot! Wow, what a touchy system. I replaced the spring clamp (seen in your 2nd photo) with a screw clamp on the power steering pump intake and the system flushed itself in about five seconds after I restarted the engine (no fluid change necessary; nice). Next time I take the car by the dealer I’ll let them know about this and apologize for mistrusting them.

Thank you,
Jeremy

]]> By: Jeff http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-7615 Jeff Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:11:54 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-7615 I just bought a 2001 Outback from my Father-in-law (used car guy) with 235,000 miles on it. He got it cheap and replaced a blown head gasket. I noticed the engine purred like a kitten, but the power steering pump sounded horrible, even at highway speeds you could here it whine. Well I just went out tonight and loosened the alternator pivot bolt and the shroud retaining bolt(apex). I gave the return line bracket a little jiggle to find the sweet spot. I tightened everything back down; ensuring i didn't hit the shroud with the wrench when tightening (could see nicks where others had hit it). When I first started it I could still hear the noise a little so I left it running and went around to the front. As I stood there I heard a THOMP! sound... and all was smooth and quiet! Wow I love the internet! Justin thank you so much for making this available to us novices! I just bought a 2001 Outback from my Father-in-law (used car guy) with 235,000 miles on it. He got it cheap and replaced a blown head gasket. I noticed the engine purred like a kitten, but the power steering pump sounded horrible, even at highway speeds you could here it whine. Well I just went out tonight and loosened the alternator pivot bolt and the shroud retaining bolt(apex). I gave the return line bracket a little jiggle to find the sweet spot. I tightened everything back down; ensuring i didn’t hit the shroud with the wrench when tightening (could see nicks where others had hit it). When I first started it I could still hear the noise a little so I left it running and went around to the front. As I stood there I heard a THOMP! sound… and all was smooth and quiet!
Wow I love the internet! Justin thank you so much for making this available to us novices!

]]> By: Chris http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-7255 Chris Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:17:44 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-7255 Hi Justin... I have a 2001 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon and I seem to be having a combination of issues posted here going on. I live in Minnesota, so it's quite cold in the mornings here. When I start the car after it's sat for a period of time (usually 6 to 12 hours overnight), it makes a high pitched squeal. That noise gets worse if I turn the wheel. It will go away immediately if I rev the engine and if I let it warm up for about 10 minutes, it doesn't seem to make any noise. Once I get it to speed on the highway, no issues whatsoever. Just happens when it's sat for a while. I checked the belt and it seems to be in great shape (no cracks or worn spots) and it's not loose. Power steering seems to work just fine as well, even if I leave right away before warming it up. It will squeal for a few seconds if I do that but not consistently. Just wondering if you have any ideas. Thanks very much for your help! Hi Justin…

I have a 2001 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon and I seem to be having a combination of issues posted here going on.

I live in Minnesota, so it’s quite cold in the mornings here. When I start the car after it’s sat for a period of time (usually 6 to 12 hours overnight), it makes a high pitched squeal. That noise gets worse if I turn the wheel. It will go away immediately if I rev the engine and if I let it warm up for about 10 minutes, it doesn’t seem to make any noise.

Once I get it to speed on the highway, no issues whatsoever. Just happens when it’s sat for a while. I checked the belt and it seems to be in great shape (no cracks or worn spots) and it’s not loose. Power steering seems to work just fine as well, even if I leave right away before warming it up. It will squeal for a few seconds if I do that but not consistently.

Just wondering if you have any ideas. Thanks very much for your help!

]]> By: Keith Meyer http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-7193 Keith Meyer Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:17:59 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-7193 Justin: I have a 2004 Subaru Forester with only 47k miles. The steering is never a problem until I make a hard turn (obviously at slow speeeds) left or right turn...at which point the steering sounds as if something is "rumbling" / "grinding". Any thoughts on this? Thanks, Keith Justin:

I have a 2004 Subaru Forester with only 47k miles. The steering is never a problem until I make a hard turn (obviously at slow speeeds) left or right turn…at which point the steering sounds as if something is “rumbling” / “grinding”. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks, Keith

]]> By: Adam http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-6971 Adam Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:56:23 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-6971 Thanks for your help Justin. It's much appreciated! Thanks for your help Justin. It’s much appreciated!

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-6965 Justin Stobb Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:16:42 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-6965 Qidao Li, Um no, your issue is not related to this post. I really think you need to let someone else service your car it sounds like you may have some significant challenges ahead of you, that based on your post I am not sure you may be up for. Justin Qidao Li,

Um no, your issue is not related to this post.

I really think you need to let someone else service your car it sounds like you may have some significant challenges ahead of you, that based on your post I am not sure you may be up for.

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-6964 Justin Stobb Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:14:14 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the-power-steering-making-noise-on-my-subaru-outback/#comment-6964 Adam, Its possible, but it may also just be a loose belt. Its hard for me to comment on a noise I cant hear for my self. It would be better for you to check the reservoir foe signs of fluid aerating. Justin Adam,

Its possible, but it may also just be a loose belt.

Its hard for me to comment on a noise I cant hear for my self.

It would be better for you to check the reservoir foe signs of fluid aerating.

Justin

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