Always before a trip...

This will be the second time I changed the oil before a trip where I drive I find something alarming.

So I jack up the car and the first thing I notice an oil drip on the oil pan. Never noticed that before, always bone dry. I don't see any leaks from the pan, but there is a trail leading down from the timing cover. I look from above and the PS pump is All nasty from where it must be leaking from the rear seal from what I can figure. There is a small pool of ATF on the block below it. Now I know the source of my steering jitters post timing belt install last year. So a reman pump is in my near future. Anyone successfully rebuilt one like on Nasioc? Recomemdations welcome. Don't really know if I want to go that route. I topped off the fluid knowing that the problem isn't severe and soldiered on.

Got underneath again and noticed the inner front left CV boot, not by steering, is completely torn all the way around and grease is everywhere. Had this boot replaced about 2 years ago by a dealer which prevented me from taking the car on a trip. Now it has happened again and who knows when it ripped. So I am looking to replace the axle. Recommendations on remaned ones? Do I need OEM? I know the wagon axles are a hair shorter then the sedans. Since it is on the trans side I thing I am going to do my trip. Not going to let it bother my vacation for now. One last question, is it easy to replace without having to get an alignment?

Andy

 

The Axles are pretty simple to replace and I dont think you need an alignment afterwards. I think it took me longer to jack the car up and take the wheel off than it did to get the axle in/out. If you dont have an air impact, get a long breaker bar and have someone press the brakes.

 

Thanks, so what do the remaned ones go for from Subaru?

 

Doesnt look like they have remans anymore? They are 350 new.

 

NAPA is the way to go and should have them in stock at the warehouse

 

wanna say those things are $60-80 from autozone with lifetime warranty

 

This pretty much happened to me last week, jacked out car for an oil change, driver inner boot ripped so i went out to Napa got a new axle and replace within an hr....some ppl say to just replace the Boot that ripped since OEM axle is better then Aftermarket....ive replaced an axle on the passenger side before with an aftermarket one and haven't had a problem with it for about a year now...

 

Thanks guys I will slip by the parts store and get one on order and also get a power steering pump on order. Mine is leaking from the rear.

 

Got mine from Oreilly for $85 with lifetime warranty.

 

pull and inspect the lines and clean out the reservoir before installing the pump also order a new banjo washer for the high pressure line

 

Thanks, will do. The 2 lines going to the reservoir? Anything special to clean them out with or just look for damage/wear?

 

Ive been having this problem after installing a Perrin inlet....if you don't mind me asking have you checked to see how much those power steering pump run?

 

I think you can get a remaned one for around $140 after core return.

 

Got the pump today. Looks good, don't have to transfer anything over. Comes with new crush washers and an o-ring. $135 + tax after core charge. Axle will be here by the weekend. What is the axle nut size?

 

Can't remember exactly, but I think it's 22mm.

 

I think it is much bigger than 22mm...Maybe 32 mm? I have the socket downstairs. I will check if I dont get too drunk.

 

I'm already :squint: but it clearly says 32mm on mine... I was going to say chink-eyed but thought that might be offensive

 

I told you I may be wrong. CLEARLY I was right.........about being wrong. Or I could just tell you I accidentally hit the 2 on my keypad instead of the 2.

 

How can you 'accidently' hit the 2 instead of the 2? LOL

 

See what I mean....I'm VERY accident prone, both physically and mentally :wiggle:

 

What would be a good cleaning agent?

 

Brake Parts Cleaner

 

Well got the axle and PS pump replaced.

Axle went pretty smooth.

The PS pump too some time but I got it installed. Cleaned the reservoir, replaced the 2 hoses with new ones and used new hose clamps. Turned the steering back and forth 20-30 times to prime it till no bubbles came out. Started it up and there is a little whine and the jitters are still there. Even when jacked up with no load. Not consustantly but same as before. Now what steering rack? Do I just live with it?

 

You get your axle from Napa?

 

Auto Zone.

 

could be a bad pump do you still have the old one or did use as a core?

 

Late to thread, but when that boot tore on the passenger side, my fool arse decided just to replace the boot.

omg, it was ridiculously involved. the parts were cheap, but the labor sucked away any advantage it gave. In the end, it was a neat thing to see how the whole thing goes together, tho.

and as far as the PS Pump, also a little late, but Andy from Versatile in Marietta rebuilt mine.