So over the past few days I've been developing some Power Steering issues. 06 WRX with 60k miles. When I first start the car when its cold i get some squealing and groaning from the PS pump, also the steering is very stiff. Turn the wheel a few times and let it run for 5 minutes before driving and its fine.... noise goes away and steering is perfect. I've got no air bubbles in the system and no visible leaks. After doing some research a lot of people say this is normal for Subies in the winter but mine never did this last winter. I've read these pumps are supposed to last 200k miles and it's usually another issue causing the noise, not a bad pump. I've recently put new belts on the car, could it be the bearings in the pump pulley? Anyone run into anything similar?
My car had the same problems that you have for the last 2 years in the winter. I got sick of the noise and such last year and did some research. There are 3 little o rings that harden over time and let air in to your Ps system. I replaced all 3 of them which should have fixed the issues but it didn't. I ended up replacing the Ps pump and all is well now. Replace the o rings first and see if it gets better.
I thought it was 4 and they are on the hard lines on the rack itself, rebuilding the pump itself isn't too difficult either
Where did you all get the orings? I know my soft lines into the rack are leaking but I don't want to spend $60 on the subaru rebuild kit. I'd just buy an STI rack if that were the case. Even if I get a SS PS line I'll still need the oring.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2127419 http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2174108
The same thing happened to me last year. It was definitely the o-rings wearing out. Went over to Six Star and Juston gave me the parts and some instructions. Of course I screwed it up, but when I took it back to him he got it fixed right up. No pump rebuild necessary.
When I did my t belt and moved the pump it started making a loud whine afterwards til I replaced the o-ring at the top of the pump.No bubbles or leaks just loud noise..Just a thought.
I had the same problem and I actually fixed it today. There is an o-ring in the return line on top of the pump, it gets hard and brittle and will make the pump cavitate. until the fluid and pump get warm enough to expand that o-ring. pull the resivoir cap and check for it getting really full and bubbling up. if so replace that o-ring and it should solve your problem. It did mine.