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Before replacing anything, try Lucas's Power Steering Additive. It fixed Morning Sickness in my old Chevy, that below 40deg, The steering was locked till I rocked it from side to side a few times and the binding went away. I haven't been able to flush the steering yet, but sucked some old fluid out and added some of the fix, and the problem is 95% better. They say to put 12oz in, and I only got in about 4.

VF

Apologies for not mentioning it, but an additive *was* added to the fluid some time ago - and the current thinking was that the additive was making the fluid too viscous(sp?) viscuous(?)... too *thick* (!) which was causing the whining of the ps pump. I.E. the pump whined because the fluid settled and thickened overnight in the cold. Then, once whipped about for a minute or so, the pump could manage to circulate it properly.

So, the idea here is to clear all traces of additive to see if the pump can now work properly. I will know in the morning if the whine is gone!

Thanks for responding!

Um - I may have asked this before but don't recall. The shuddering you feel - is it after the wheels are turned but while the car moving in an arc? Or would it happen sitting still and moving the steering wheel lock-to-lock?

The first could be torque bind and is a seperate issue from the PS pump/system.

Carl

It is very unlikely that you have gotten 3 ps pumps to be defective.

How many times have you replaced the drive belt? Even if it is properly tensioned it could be slipping causing the shrill, and yes, it normally happens when cold. Besides, if there is any oil or water leaking into the belt or pulleys, it is possible for it to whine just for a while and then go quiet.

I doubt the rack is defective. Purge the rack and pinion well, in particular after having flushed the system.

I have seen cases in which the belt slipping intermittently will cause what could be consider like a shudder.

Get a new mechanic too!

Good luck

Fred Boer wrote:

Dear Carl, et al..

No whining this morning, but it was 4 degrees (Celsius). So I can' t report conclusively on that.

With respect to your questions:

This morning, I turned the wheel from full left to full right and back again, and it didn't shudder. This was done at a full stop pavement. I will try this several times today to see if this is consistent.

The shuddering does occur as the car is moving and I am turning the wheel. I do not *think* it occurs if the wheel is not being turned... i.e. continuing to shudder if I begin a turn but hold the wheel steady. I will try this several times today to see if there is any consistency.

I will have to do some research on torque bind. It is a new concept for me. Is it $$? Sigh...

Good Morning:

I agree with respect to the 3 defective ps pumps. At this point, I seriously wonder if it was *ever* a ps pump problem in the first place. The belts have been inspected in three different shops (including a Subaru dealership) over the last 6 months, so I'd be surprised if it was a belt or was the tension on the belt, but who knows? I will have that checked again.

I am not mechanically minded, and I don't do my own service; what is involved in "purging"? Is it something I can do, or is it a "mechanic" thing?

Don't know what to say about the mechanic - several mechanics have been involved with me over the last year and I would find it a stretch to blame the mechanics.. still who knows? At this point I just feel cursed by the demons of automobile reliability. :(

Thanks for responding!

Again apologies for not mentioning I am discussing at 2002 Legacy Wagon with

Check to see if the grooves in the belt look too shinny or glassy. Look to see if the bottom of the valleys in the belt are shinny as if they were contacting the ridges on the pulley. How much is a belt? 10 bucks? Just change it if you have not done so.

In most cases, purging can be achieved by moving the steering wheel from stop to stop and holding it momentarily at the stops. The factory service manual suggests jacking the car up and with the engine off, turning the steering wheel from stop to stop, very slowly until no more bubbles show up in the ps fluid reservoir. In case bubbles keep showing, leave for 1/2 hour and then repeat the same steps. When free of bubbles, start the engine and repeat the process until free of bubbles. Lower the car, repeat the process with the engine idling until no more bubbles and the change of the fluid level is within 1/8". If the fluid changes more than 1/8", bubbles keep appearing or there is a grinding noise from the pump, leave for 1/2 hour and then repeat.

Fred Boer wrote:

Dear AS:

I have no problem with paying for a new belt and having it installed - obviously cost isn't an issue - and I will do so if my whining problem is not resolved.

Thanks for your detailed instructions on purging the ps system!

My 2001 Legacy had this noise and shudder, I got the TSB's from alldatadiy.com and sure enough there is a TSB for PW shuddering when cold, the fix is a redesigned hose. I installed this part and it fixed the problem.

Steering - Power Steering Groan/Vibration NUMBER: 04-11-04 DATE: 01/15/04

APPLICABILITY:

SUBJECT: Power Steering Hose - New Style

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this bulletin is to address an abnormal noise (groan) coming from the power steering pump and/or slight vibration in the steering wheel when turning at very low speeds.

New part number is 34610AE09B

Hi all:

I don't want to say this too loudly, for fear of jinxing my luck, but... this morning (2 degrees celsius), there was no trace of whine when I started my car. The level in the PS reservoir appeared to *maybe* have dropped from yesterday (I should have marked it...). It was on the min line for cold and on min line once hot. After 10-15 minutes of driving about both on the road and in a parking lot, doing tight turns at varying speeds, and lock-to-lock turns, I had no shuddering at all. (yay..)

Could the problem be solved? I am hopeful..

Cheers!

Ok... I am ready to say it out loud:

My car is running great! No whining in the steering. No shuddering when I turn. No stalling or driveability issues. For the first time in a year, I have no problems with my Subie! (Well, I have a burned out light on the dash and a cracked windshield.. but, you know.. no serious issues...)

Yipee! Here's to a trouble-free 2008!!