relative4 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I have an '05 Legacy GT with 100K miles. My power steering pump developed a nasty leak, probably because I over-tightened the belt. So I just installed a reman pump from Auto Zone. The manual called for Dexron III ATF; Auto Zone had Dexron VI, said it's backwards compatible; I used that. When I first started the car up, the pump was whiny/buzzy, that quieted down after a little while. Dropped it off the jacks, went lock-to-lock like a champ. Took it for a drive. Pump moaned a bit at low RPM, couldn't hear it at higher RPM; that also quieted down after a little while. Worked great going around corners, then I took it for figure 8s in a parking lot. That's where things went south. When going lock-to-lock quickly while driving slowly, it seems to lose pressure, and it gets very hard to turn the wheel. Turning the wheel more slowly, it's fine. I also noticed that now when I'm standing still and going lock-to-lock, when it gets to the end, it makes a nasty shuddery noise and pushes back a bit. Those are all the symptoms I've noticed so far. The fluid level is perfect. Thoughts: Belt too loose - no squealing, and no apparent problems from the alternatorWrong fluidWeak pumpBelt too tight Anyone? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob-2 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Mine uses subi ATF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I'm guessing you now have the air bubble in the system. Jack up the front end, start the engine, turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock a few times. I'm not a big fan to doing this with the car on the ground or quickly. Go to a parking lot and slowly do figure 8's. See if that helps. Or just go do slow figure 8's. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgross2020 Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I had a similar issue and there is a walkthrough here on flushing the power steering system that I followed and it worked like a charm. You can search for it but you just remove the belt from the pump and remove the return line from reservoir (it is the one with the cooling fin) place a catch pan under the line a Gatorade bottle worked fine for me. Turn the pump slowly clockwise by hand and catch the old fluid in it. Do not let the reservoir run dry keep filling it back up as you go. Then turn the steering wheel slowly lock to lock. (with the front wheels off the ground and make sure to keep reservoir full) When clean fluid starts coming out just put the line and belt back on. The walkthrough gives a more detailed account of how to do it. But I had the same problem I had an air pocket in the system somewhere and I couldn't get it out until I followed this procedure. It takes about 1 quart of fluid and I used Valvoline synthetic transmission fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relative4 Posted August 1, 2013 Author Share Posted August 1, 2013 Max, you are an asset. Jacked up the front, half a dozen slow turns lock to lock, back to the parking lot, figure-8d the heck out of it, never faltered. You da MAN! jgross, thanks to you too. I went ahead and did the belt-off flush just for fun. Clean from start to finish, but I appreciate you getting me to do what I should have done in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muji Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Mine uses subi ATF Is it the same as this stuff? amzn.to/1VKQnAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quick4dr Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I used subi atf when I did a full flush a while back. I remember reading a horror story on here of someone using generic power steering fluid and it led to the pump doing crazy shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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