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Old 02-08-2007, 07:03 PM   #1
mattxander12
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Unhappy no Power Steering

Yesterday night, I was a wrx/STi meet at my college. We went and played in the snow. today i have no power steering. The fluids are spot on mark with no leakage around the resevoir. I knocked out all snow in the wheel well so there was a lot of free range motion for the wheel. I couldn't get to any snow packed by the control arms etc. The weird part about this problem.... when my RPM's are high, say above 2600 RPM's ... i seemingly have power steering... but when i'm going slow to , say make a turn.... below 2600 RPM's i don't have any power steering. I tested that at a dead stop.... couldn't turn the wheel easily at idle....but when i revved it up i could easily turn the wheel.... and this was at a stand still. any thoughts ideas and help for this problem would be much appreciated !
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Old 02-08-2007, 07:14 PM   #2
ScubaruImpreza05
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If there is no belt squeals, then I'd say you toasted a pump some how. Were you doing wheel to wheel lock donuts (i.e. - having the wheel as far as it can go, and then hanging on the wheel...this is bad for the pump).

Seeing as how the fluids are good, you didn't take out a line or seal, so I'd say pump.
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Old 02-08-2007, 07:27 PM   #3
mattxander12
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yeah, i was going from side to side quite a lot. Some intense 8's ... that probably will cost me. How much do new power steering pumps run ?

apparently around $180 on ebay. Also ... i'm assuming burning up a power steering pump is like it works or doesn't. Then why would i still get power steering at a dead stop simply by revving my RPM's higher ?

Last edited by mattxander12; 02-08-2007 at 07:34 PM.
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Old 02-08-2007, 07:33 PM   #4
ScubaruImpreza05
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That I do not know, and I'm at work so I can't do anything shopping related (firewall).

I'd say, type in 'power steering pump XXXX(year) Impreza' and start looking at links. The best thing to find is a subaru parts online, that has a list for your specific part number, accompanied by the respective year to make sure.
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Old 02-08-2007, 09:47 PM   #5
mattxander12
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Okay so i went out and did some testing see if this will help describe the problem exactly

when i go to a turn... and shift to neutral and the RPM's drop to 500ish....its ridiculously hard to turn the wheel meaning little to no power steering. HOWEVER... if i rev the engine , whilst still in neutral so i'm going the same speed.... the wheel immediately becomes easy to turn again. This is an example of what i mean that when the RPM's are up... i can easily turn , and when they're low....then i can't turn easy.
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Old 02-08-2007, 10:01 PM   #6
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maybe that curb you hit last night? :P thats a bummer about your pump(if thats what it is) if you get your hands on one lets arrange an install day.
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Old 02-08-2007, 10:24 PM   #7
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...d00000d....ya cooked the pump.......ya gonna want some M1 syn ATF to re-fill that.....
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Old 02-08-2007, 11:14 PM   #8
mattxander12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by I Like It Sideways View Post
maybe that curb you hit last night? :P thats a bummer about your pump(if thats what it is) if you get your hands on one lets arrange an install day.
yeah about that.... i felt the urge to check my tire air pressure today. That tire was only in at 13 PSI. oops ... the rim wasn't bent though.
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Old 02-08-2007, 11:23 PM   #9
ScubaruImpreza05
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty View Post
...d00000d....ya cooked the pump.......ya gonna want some M1 syn ATF to re-fill that.....
Can you cook up a cocktail for that too?

Well, the system isn't holding pressure, and there apparently is no leaks due to an ok reservoir level, so pump I'd say.
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Old 02-09-2007, 12:52 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScubaruImpreza05 View Post
Can you cook up a cocktail for that too?

Well, the system isn't holding pressure, and there apparently is no leaks due to an ok reservoir level, so pump I'd say.
.....the cheapest 'cocktail' that I have found for the PS is the Mobil1 syn ATF....it REALLY-REALLY does make a difference.

I just took the snorkus off...popped the tank outa it's holder...took the top of the PS tank off and turned it over and dumped the tank into a quart paint cup.....re-filled with the M1.....drove around a bit......dumped/re-filled...drove more......ya get the point, here???...until I had poured the last of the quart of M1 into the tank and called it good.
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Old 02-09-2007, 08:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty View Post
.....the cheapest 'cocktail' that I have found for the PS is the Mobil1 syn ATF....it REALLY-REALLY does make a difference.

I just took the snorkus off...popped the tank outa it's holder...took the top of the PS tank off and turned it over and dumped the tank into a quart paint cup.....re-filled with the M1.....drove around a bit......dumped/re-filled...drove more......ya get the point, here???...until I had poured the last of the quart of M1 into the tank and called it good.
does fluid really matter that much for PS ? how much easier can it get to turn than using 1 finger ? Anyways i set up an appointment with the dealer. I'm under a carfax drivetrain warranty nonsense... so hopefully it'll be covered. Else i'll be learning all about the power steering pump and installation. yay.
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Old 02-09-2007, 08:41 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattxander12 View Post
does fluid really matter that much for PS ? how much easier can it get to turn than using 1 finger ? Anyways i set up an appointment with the dealer. I'm under a carfax drivetrain warranty nonsense... so hopefully it'll be covered. Else i'll be learning all about the power steering pump and installation. yay.
... BETTER.....NOT easier
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Old 02-09-2007, 09:43 AM   #13
mattxander12
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do i run the risk of doing damage to other parts if i drive /w a dead power steering pump ? Like will i damage the steering rack, or other accessories etc ?
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Old 02-09-2007, 12:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattxander12 View Post
do i run the risk of doing damage to other parts if i drive /w a dead power steering pump ? Like will i damage the steering rack, or other accessories etc ?
..ya might crash if ya can't turn the wheel
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Old 02-09-2007, 03:21 PM   #15
mattxander12
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haha... i'll take that as a " no other damage will happen" . I've got no problem with having enough muscle to turn the wheel.

Side note.... is it possible that there is a kinked hose on my power steering line ? To me, that explains why I have power steering as RPM's are up ( more pressure in the line so it forces past the kink and works .... and doesn't work at low RPM's b/c there's no pressure to get past the kink ). That's the only thing i've come up with so far....before i take it in anyways. Is there any Power Steering plumbing diagrams on the internet so i can follow the lines and check ?
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Old 02-09-2007, 03:45 PM   #16
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It's the fact that the pump RPM (and hence flow) is proportional to the engine RPM. The pump is sized so that it provides sufficient flow/pressure at idle (with stock crank / PS pullies) and then a relief valve in the rack bypasses the excess at higher RPM.

Once the pump is toasted, there is no longer enough flow and/or pressure at idle but may be sufficient at higher RPM.
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Old 02-15-2007, 04:07 PM   #17
mattxander12
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Just to update my former problem... it indeed was a fried pump, and also the steering rack was leaking. Both replaced under extended warranty for under 100.
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Old 02-15-2007, 11:21 PM   #18
Mike Wevrick
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty View Post
... BETTER.....NOT easier
Better how? (My 95 Legacy has the original PS fluid in it and seems fine.)
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Old 02-15-2007, 11:51 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Wevrick View Post
Better how? (My 95 Legacy has the original PS fluid in it and seems fine.)



change it out and see.....

...no WAIT...it could kill it
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Old 02-16-2007, 05:29 PM   #20
Mike Wevrick
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If you think that's bad, the car also has the original clutch and struts.
Seriously, thought, what difference would it changing the PS fluid make? I have never seen a service interval listed for PS fluid.
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