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Old 02-19-2020, 09:34 PM   #26
cdigerlando
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There is a video on YouTube. Look up sti steering repair to get a look.
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Old 02-19-2020, 09:40 PM   #27
ScuubyT
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdigerlando View Post
There is a video on YouTube. Look up sti steering repair to get a look.
I'll give that a shot, thanks!
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Old 02-19-2020, 09:45 PM   #28
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I found one, looks like even though there are two bolt holes it's still just a round seal. Looking at it we assumed it would be more like an exhaust gasket.

Thanks for the help!
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Old 03-17-2020, 12:06 AM   #29
lwlba
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Just want to throw in there as well that my sti at 74k is also experiencing the leak. Will be looking into some repair soon.

Agreed. First time subaru owner, I have to say I'm quite disappointed this happened 4k miles outside of my extended warranty.
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Old 03-17-2020, 07:08 AM   #30
SubyManV7
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The part number I posted is what I used on my 2013 WRX STi. It worked. Thats all I know. It has two seals one inner and one outer one for the steering shaft.
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Old 08-22-2020, 12:04 PM   #31
k2blt
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My 2017 STi with 70k daily driving miles just started leaking 2 weeks after getting it aligned. Absolutley zero track, hpde, or auto-x miles on this car.

How many complaints before they decide to make it a recall issue!?!?
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Old 03-31-2021, 02:46 PM   #32
skw6r
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17 STi, 66k miles all daily driving just started leaking. Only suspension mod is RCE yellows at about 10k. Got quoted around $1000 by an independent subaru mechanic for OEM rack replacement.
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Old 04-06-2021, 02:49 PM   #33
REX_WGN
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I wonder what's the culprit? Is it the pressure of the fluid? faulty seals?
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Old 04-08-2021, 02:30 PM   #34
cdigerlando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skw6r View Post
17 STi, 66k miles all daily driving just started leaking. Only suspension mod is RCE yellows at about 10k. Got quoted around $1000 by an independent subaru mechanic for OEM rack replacement.
That's a good deal. But I paid $386 to get it repaired. Still going strong.
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Old 04-08-2021, 02:31 PM   #35
cdigerlando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REX_WGN View Post
I wonder what's the culprit? Is it the pressure of the fluid? faulty seals?
Faulty seals where the steering wheel shaft enters the power steering rack. Take a look at the video I posted to see the rebuild.
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Old 04-08-2021, 02:38 PM   #36
murrdogg24
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I have a 2020 sti that is already making some weird noises occasionally from the power steering, wonder if I should take it in already...only has 9k miles on it....
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Old 04-10-2021, 09:28 PM   #37
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This should be a TSB or recall. I'm working on a 2016 STI now because of it. 33k miles.

Power steering ran dry for this owner (friend of mine). Rack leaking at input shaft. Loud noises from pump because ran dry.

Towed to dealer. Diagnosed, needs PS rack and pump. New OEM rack, OEM pump purchased.

Steering is shuddering now. Even on jack stands. Bled the system many times. New clamps on the hoses, new PS belt. Need some help!
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Old 04-11-2021, 12:25 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superdave1.0 View Post
This should be a TSB or recall. I'm working on a 2016 STI now because of it. 33k miles.

Power steering ran dry for this owner (friend of mine). Rack leaking at input shaft. Loud noises from pump because ran dry.

Towed to dealer. Diagnosed, needs PS rack and pump. New OEM rack, OEM pump purchased.

Steering is shuddering now. Even on jack stands. Bled the system many times. New clamps on the hoses, new PS belt. Need some help!
If you haven't already solved the issue

Jack up the front and cycle the wheels side to side about 20x with the engine off, then about 20x with the engine on, shut off the engine and wait for bubbles to disappear in the reservoir and repeat. If shuddering persists try jacking up one side higher and repeat (air bubbles can be trapped in the rack itself)
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Old 04-11-2021, 04:10 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-37 View Post
If you haven't already solved the issue

Jack up the front and cycle the wheels side to side about 20x with the engine off, then about 20x with the engine on, shut off the engine and wait for bubbles to disappear in the reservoir and repeat. If shuddering persists try jacking up one side higher and repeat (air bubbles can be trapped in the rack itself)
Hey, I'm actually the owner of the STi - we did try that but we haven't tried it with jacking it up one side higher than the other so we'll give that a go this week
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Old 04-13-2021, 09:04 PM   #40
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I've always had good luck with the 'run it rack to rack' 15-20 times. I've never had an issue but the leaning method is new to me. I'll keep that one in storage if needed.

I'm about to rebuild my own leaking 2015 STi rack.
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Old 04-13-2021, 09:55 PM   #41
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I put the wrong Dexron fluid in my old 2005 STi power steering system and it shuddered randomly (and pretty violently) until I replaced it with the correct fluid. Apparently, I can't read roman numerals. I don't know what fluid Subaru uses for the VA STi racks but it's something to consider.

Coincidentally, I just took my new to me 2015 Sti rack apart. I am depowering it and hopefully I never have to deal with p/s fluid ever again.
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Old 08-19-2021, 10:59 PM   #42
WRXyInRed
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Adding to the list here. 17 STI, 45k miles, no mods, no track/x-cross, just city/highway miles. Mine rack leaked, failed to the point that I had it towed to my local dealership (I know, I just took it there to see if it was warrantied). They quoted $1200 for a full replacement and I opened a case with SoA. They offered to pay $7** (can't remember the specific number) towards repair. I'm going to call them back because it seems like an issue affecting multiple people so I'm not just going to trust repairing or replacing the part with the same thing.
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Old 09-04-2021, 05:58 PM   #43
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'17 STI 50k miles and for a bit I've noticed something in my splash guard when inspecting the engine bay on a regular basis. I've noticed this for a while, so I should've paid better attention, but today it looks worse and sometimes I hear a different sound when turning the steering wheel. Car does have mods, but no suspension mods. Never tracked it and it doesn't even get driven hard.

Rack on my '03 WRX lasted around 200k, this is ridiculous.

EDIT: Finally got under the car and the rack seems fine, but the sway bar bushings appear to be the culprit. I had seen them seeping in the past, but they must have recently started leaking more junk.

Last edited by djoye; 09-14-2021 at 05:21 PM.
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Old 09-05-2021, 11:11 AM   #44
cdigerlando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ether947 View Post
I put the wrong Dexron fluid in my old 2005 STi power steering system and it shuddered randomly (and pretty violently) until I replaced it with the correct fluid. Apparently, I can't read roman numerals. I don't know what fluid Subaru uses for the VA STi racks but it's something to consider.

Coincidentally, I just took my new to me 2015 Sti rack apart. I am depowering it and hopefully I never have to deal with p/s fluid ever again.
Depowering it. What's that like? No we didn't all just put the wrong fluid in, unless subaru did, so I doubt it. Many cars just totally stock. The system has problems. Period. Too many people with the same issues over and over again, and no commitment by subaru to make a permanent fix. Very frustrating. Wish they could at least determine the design flaw that wears out the seals that quick. Unless it was a factory seal install issue. We'll see. My repaired rack is still going strong after 84k.
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Old 09-05-2021, 11:14 AM   #45
cdigerlando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-37 View Post
If you haven't already solved the issue

Jack up the front and cycle the wheels side to side about 20x with the engine off, then about 20x with the engine on, shut off the engine and wait for bubbles to disappear in the reservoir and repeat. If shuddering persists try jacking up one side higher and repeat (air bubbles can be trapped in the rack itself)
Great suggestion. Thanks.
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Old 09-05-2021, 12:40 PM   #46
ether947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdigerlando View Post
Depowering it. What's that like? No we didn't all just put the wrong fluid in, unless subaru did, so I doubt it. Many cars just totally stock. The system has problems. Period. Too many people with the same issues over and over again, and no commitment by subaru to make a permanent fix. Very frustrating. Wish they could at least determine the design flaw that wears out the seals that quick. Unless it was a factory seal install issue. We'll see. My repaired rack is still going strong after 84k.
I'm still dialing the EPAS setup in, but I am pretty happy with it so far. Not having to worry about leaks anymore is great. Now I worry about electrons.
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Old 09-08-2021, 01:29 PM   #47
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Sorry for reviving an old post, but My stock 2017 Sti barely has 26,000 miles has the same issue with leaky steering rack. I took it in a local Subaru dealership for diagnosis, and they quoted me $1,700 for the repair. And the best part of it is not covered under powertrain 5yr warranty.

I opened a case with SOA and hopefully they could assist me on it.
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Old 09-08-2021, 04:27 PM   #48
REX_WGN
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I'm surprised Subaru has not yet issued a service bulletin or some sort of recall to fix this issue
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Old 09-10-2021, 10:20 AM   #49
cdigerlando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REX_WGN View Post
I'm surprised Subaru has not yet issued a service bulletin or some sort of recall to fix this issue
Yes. It will be interesting to see if the seal replacement does the trick. I'm almost wondering if air got in the system in the factory or during delivery that caused the problem. Air in any hydraulic system is very damaging to seals. I really liked the suggesting posed tipping the car and turning the wheels back and forth to remove air from the system. It makes sense to me, but who knows.

I also replaced my steering column bushings with something stiffer, to get rid of that mushy feeling high speed that these steering columns have. Although the steering is extremely tight. You really have to keep your eye on the road.
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Old 09-10-2021, 10:23 AM   #50
cdigerlando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faminiSTi View Post
Sorry for reviving an old post, but My stock 2017 Sti barely has 26,000 miles has the same issue with leaky steering rack. I took it in a local Subaru dealership for diagnosis, and they quoted me $1,700 for the repair. And the best part of it is not covered under powertrain 5yr warranty.

I opened a case with SOA and hopefully they could assist me on it.
Sorry you are having this problem too. Let us know how you make out. That is ridiculous to have this problem.

But if you have to have it repaired, look at the fix on youtube. It's cheaper and you can have your favorite mechanic work on it.
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