phildog33 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Hi guys, I just bought this Wagon from the dealership, just one week ago.. and test drove it fine and the mechanics at the dealership said everything is perfect. 2005, 60k miles, automatic Turbo V4.. Everything great Over the past 2 weeks ive noticed some serious shuttering and shaking in the steering wheel. This only happens when doing hard turns and light gas. Like parallel parking or a real tight U-turn. It never shakes or stutters otherwise.. just when turning the wheel and applying gas to the pedal.. then the wheel really starts shaking and shuttering in your hand.. and it feels unsafe and really rough and not smooth driving like this My stated mpg on the car was supposed to be 19/24 for city/highway. I am getting more like 13/22. What do you think? I brought it to a specialist here and they didnt really know what to make an estimate on.. they test drove it with me, and his idea was possible the fuel system, some sort of problem .. thats why it only happen when hard turning.. its sending more gas to pull the engine one side or the other. Its relaly annoying this problem, and really makes driving the Subaru not fun. Ive owned all sorts of Subarus for many years, and never experienced this problem. I tried googling it but I dont think i was typing in specific enough questions. can you help? thanks everyone phillip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Driveshaft or wheel bearing. Check if the boots are OK on the driveshafts, or if one seems to have been replaced. It it was replaced then they didn't clean and re-lubricate the joint when they fixed it. If the boots are in order it's likely a wheel bearing, but check your tires for damages too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildog33 Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 thanks for this advice, is there anything else I can tell the dealership to look for... when i bought the car they said everything was 100%, no mechanical problems (currently) at all... then on the drive out of the dealership I felt the sticky steering wheel and shaking going on. I thought it was cold weather related.. its been 2 months hasnt gone away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildog33 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 does anyone have any other ideas.. im going to take it in soon, but want to have an educated guess... it happens very bad when COLD.. so if its left outside for a day and then you start the car... to get out of a parallel parking situation, its FIGHTING the wheel to get it to turn.. its shaking stuttering so bad in this situation...like there is no power steering at all.. and im fighting it to turn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatvol Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Humm, Maybe the problem is that Turbo V4? Yeah in fact I know that probably the problem! But serious, I have had this problem once. I attributed it to Ice. It was so bad that at 55 I needed to get off the highway. Could it possibly be the Power steering pump? I have owbned my fair share of non-Power steering Autos in the past but none of them did what you are describing. I would say the power steering pump. Thats what I would check. But I wouldn't be able to tell where else to look. And your stated MPG will always be different on how you drive the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJMC Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Sounds like your power steering system and nothing to do with fuel system like your specialist suggested. If you are fighting with turning the wheel then that's your problem. There have been a few posts on this already. I'm suffering the same problem. My fuel pump fluid looks ok, but my belts are in dire need of replacement. I'm hoping that my accessory belt replacement resolves this issue. If not, I'll try flushing the power steering fluid lines next. If that doesn't resolve my problem then out goes the power steering pump and in goes a new one. Searched: steering + low + speed http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56668&highlight=steering+low+speed http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66084&highlight=steering+low+speed http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73329&highlight=steering+low+speed http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73026&highlight=steering+low+speed http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85843&highlight=steering+low+speed http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104123&highlight=steering+low+speed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildog33 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 tbhank you for all these posts.. it sounds like to msot people its power steering pump, or the fluids there.. or drive belts, etc.. so we'll check these thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackfang Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Also do not rule out tie rod ends having some play in them. Also could be a transfer clutch issue. What do the tires look like? Are they mismatched by any chance? [SIZE=1][URL="http://public.fotki.com/blackfang/"]Pics[/URL] [B]08 KawasakiZZR 600- exhaust and other mods 98 Camaro Z/28 HT- some mods......street/strip car 07 Legacy 2.5i- SPT exhaust...daily driver[/B][/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildog33 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 HI you guys -- Im up here in Massachussets, I drove the car to the dealership, from NYC through the snow yesterday. They sold me this car WITH this problem, and I would have never bought it in the first place, if there were any problems. The guaranteed me no issues, and then 5 minutes after the dealership, the problems started. Anyways, the verdict was 1 power steering belt was frayed, and cracked and splitting. They replaced this, and also 2 wheel bearings in the back. Nothing else was done, and they want to charge me $100. I am fighting them on this 100$ because Im disgusted that a dealership would let me drive away from their store, making me pay more in service immediately afterwards, and I have in writing that they had performed all the service. How much does it cost to replace ONE belt and those 2 bearings, i general ? Im just curious ????And how long does it take for these belts to start fraying, going, cracking, etc?Im so upset with this dealership because I know it takes a LOT of time for that to happen, and I would have never bought it if there was a glaring problem like this... THey are trying to strong arm me with this $100 P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Bearing assemblies are $300+ each not including labor. Belts have a lifespan of ~50kmi. The Crimson Dynamo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildog33 Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 so then $100 is justifiable? for everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackfang Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 so then $100 is justifiable? for everything I wouldn't complain. A wheelbearing job is around 350-450 each side. The parts alone are around $110-120each. The belts can be 50-100 all depends. [SIZE=1][URL="http://public.fotki.com/blackfang/"]Pics[/URL] [B]08 KawasakiZZR 600- exhaust and other mods 98 Camaro Z/28 HT- some mods......street/strip car 07 Legacy 2.5i- SPT exhaust...daily driver[/B][/SIZE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanlsb Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 In many states there are lemon laws that put the onus on the dealership if anything goes wrong with the car within x days. I don't know anything about Mass, though. Good luck, phil. P.S. Presuming this turbocharged wagon you have is a legacy, it's not a "V-4." It's a horizontally opposed 4-cylinder (read: boxer) engine. I know you're just hunting for help, and hopefully you found it - but that was just like fingernails on a chalkboard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twisted Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 you said u drove it through snow.....when i go monkeying around on a froze lake the snow gets all up i the suspesion and other steering rods etc. the same happens to me....i just let it warm up in the garage or take it thro an auto wash. If othing works I take it over a rough road and that usually causes the sow and ice chunks to fall off.After some crazy snow drivig the steering shakes really badly even though the car managed to stay straight on the freeway..until all snow falls off. Just wait for a warm day or take the car through a wash to see if its isnt stuck snow causig ur problems.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildog33 Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 i picked up the car, and all problems are solved. it was that PS belt.. everything is smooth now and back to normal. pps.. now about MPG.. im driving the outback XT 4 cynd engine.. Im getting at best 20mpg.. my old ll bean wagon v6 was getting 26 consistent how bad is that.. 20 mpg? and can i get it raised up somehow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterJMC Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Did you pay to get the rear bearings replaced? If they went bad they should be a warranty replacement which should be free of charge. Warranty was extended on rear bearings for up to 100k miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 so then $100 is justifiable? for everything If they can justify what the $100 is for. A specification - is it work or is it a part or is it maybe for oil? Just billing you $100 without specifying what it is - sneaky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ort Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Hi all. I'm new here, and of course I have a problem with my '04 Legacy 35th anniversary edition. I had the original Bridgestone Potenzas replaced in September of '07. The steering wheel has been vibrating as if the wheels aren't balanced, though they've been balanced no less than 3 times. Of course, "it's not doing that when WE test drive it" and "I took the car home with me and drove it on the highway and it doesn't do what you say it does." bull. I finally got so fed up I spend $665 for new Michelin tires, nitrogen filled. It cut down on the vibration enough where I can drive the car without wanting to drive it into a tree. However, the problem is still there. I told Subaru "Look, there are more parts on a car then simply the rotors and the tires and wheels. There's a problem, and you have to find it." I'm bringing the car in tomorrow (5-21-09) and in addition to the 45 month service, I am asking them to look under the car (yet again!) to see if they can see anything. PLEASE HELP! I'm at my wit's end, and this car is no longer fun to own or drive. I thought I would never own anything but a Subaru, but if they don't fix this I'm going to buy a Honda CRV and the hell with Subaru! Thanks for letting me vent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoplightAssassin Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 hit any potholes lately? sounds like a bent rim...a bent wheel will usually still vibrate even if it has been balanced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ort Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I did a long time ago, however when the tires are rotated, and the rims moved to the back, it still occurs. That seems to point to a front end problem. But of course, they've never heard of this situation. I told the service manager to Google "Subaru+steering wheel shake" and he'd see at least 8 pages of topics. He then said he had 2 young kids and couldn't spend time on the computer. I could have throttled him. They don't want to find a problem because then they'd have to fix it. Now, I have gotten a new set of Michelin's to replace the Bridgestone Potenzas, and the problem seems to have been muted. I guess it's to the point where I can live with it. The service manager told me he drove my car to get lunch, when it was in the shop yesterday. I said, how fast were you going? Did you go on the highway? He said no, just 30 mph. I said, you know you have to go 65 so why bother driving 30? You won't experience the problem at 30!! I'm so done with them and with this car. I have 1 car payment then I own it, and I have 2 years of warranty left (7 year extended). After that, I'm dumping it. Not really sure if I can trust Subaru's enough to buy another one. I will live with this problem, as it's way better than it was before, as I have no choice at this point in time. Thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryN Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 If changing the tire muted the problem as much as you've described, do you think you may have more than one bent rim? I'd suggest you have the wheels inspected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoplightAssassin Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Having two bent rims isn't all that uncommon. My brother bent two rims at the same time on a big pothole. You can pick up a full set of the 2005 - 2006 style wheels on here for about $300, and if that doesn't work you can sell them back. The only other thing I think it could be from the problems you described is maybe the steering tie rods are loose. It's easy enough to diagnose. You just have to get under the car and try to move them by hand and see if they are loose. You just went to a bad mechanic. It happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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