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by Justin Stobb

We have had a lot of Questions from all over the country on this subject so I thought I would provide some information. This issue is typically found on the 2000 to 2004 Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy. There will be pictures up next week to help illustrate what is going on.

Here is the usual situation someone replaces the belts, or the timing belt or the alternator and almost instantly the power steering pump starts to make noise and the car can be hard to steer. Well here is what happens. The top bolt for the alternator and power steering fan belt shroud is secured to the power steering return line tube/bracket through a rubber grommet in the top of the shroud. If there isn’t enough slack in the shroud when the top bolt is tightened the shroud will pull onto the tube (towards the drivers side) allowing air into the power steering system thus causing the fluid to become aerated. The other end of this shroud is slotted at the alternator pivot bolt. The rubber grommet is there, to give a little instead of pulling the tube under load. Once the tube is pulled it is necessary to reset it in the power steering pump to make sure it isn’t still being pulled in one direction after this the shroud will need to be installed properly ( with slack). From there the aerated fluid must be replaced with fresh fluid and the problem is solved.

I have received over 100 phone calls from people as far away as Jamaica (you know who you are and thanks for the gift card) so I figured someone should post some help as I have received calls from frustrated Technicians and Drivers a like . I had a post on Allexperts.com, that includes our shops phone number and I would say it has been one or two calls a week.

 I am always happy to help out my fellow Technicians who just want to take care of their customers. I also have heard the other end of the spectrum where after the belts were replaced on their Subaru Outback and the noise showed up they have been charged a lot of money to replace parts that did not need to be replaced. Quite a few times a frustrated vehicle owner has sought out help on the Internet and found me.

 To the Automotive Professionals out there, help each other first of all and use the Internet to seek out those who no more about the subject than you do. Also while we are all human and do make mistakes and there is always a lot of pressure to be perfect, at least exhaust all of your resources prior to guessing. If some can find the answer to the problem online then we all can. 

I have personal experience with this issue.  I know Subaru’s so well, and one thing they are not prone for is power steering aeration, with that knowledge,  I was able to  problem solve my way to the fix.  Subaru Owners, if this has or does happen to you. Most likely no one is trying to defraud you; they just haven’t experienced the issue before and are now forced to learn.

Thank you for reading.

Justin Stobb

Your Independent Subaru Specialist

  Here is the fan belt shroud in question.

  This is the upper alternator/ power steering belt  shroud retaining bolt. 

   This is the power steering return line bracket going into the pump.

  Here is the alternator pivot bolt that must be loosened to put the “slack” back into the shroud.

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6 Responses to “Why Is The Power Steering Making Noise on My Subaru Outback?”

1. Dan Hanks Says:
   February 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm

   I recently had my alternator go out on my 2000 Outback which required a tow to the local repair shop and an alternator replacement. Since the shop had to remove the old alternator I had them replace the serpentine belts at the same time. The shop called me to tell me the repairs had been completed but the power steering pump was making noise and overflowing the reservoir and they were wondering if it had been doing that. I informed them that it was fine before they worked on it. They told me that it may have just gotten some air in the system and it may settle overnight but if it didn’t quit making noise to bring it back and they would replace the power steering pump at around $500.00 Needless to say the noise did not quit, but I was so upset with the repair shop because they had charged me $100.00 more than originally quoted to replace the alternator, (another story entirely) that I will never take a vehicle back to them. So I did some research on the internet and ran across Justin at All Wheel Drive Auto and read a blog he had about the very problem I was experiencing. I called Justin and told him what happened and he told me over the phone how to fix the problem. Basically I adjusted the shroud and the noise quit instantly. The power steering pump is working normally and silently. Thank you Justin not only did you save me a bundle of money, but you are very pleasant and helpful. I have relatives in Washington and I will recommend you to everyone I know. Thanks again, Dan Hanks Boise, ID.

2. Joshua Hufford Says:
   April 3rd, 2008 at 11:23 pm

   THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! After two weeks of trying to figure out what was causing this noise after having work done at the dealer on my 00 outback, I was one day away from replacing the power steering pump, just had ordered it. I’ve only drove around the block once, but so far the pump sounds PERFECT! THANKS!

3. Lomita Says:
   April 4th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

   Pics?

4. wagner Says:
   June 8th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

   Does this shroud problemn also relate to the 3.0 h6 as well. I am having the same issue with the fluid getting areated and loud whining noise

5. Justin Stobb Says:
   June 9th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

   Hey Wagner,

   The H6 uses an automatic tensioner, so it is different than the H4.

   But you could have a similar problem in regards to air entering the system.

6. Craig Phillips Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

   Even with resetting the tube mine leaked air into the tube fitting. The two o-rings on the tube were dry due to the fact the air leaks into the tube and not fluid out. I just greased them up with a little silicon grease and no more groan!!! GREAT JOB

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