Moderators BarManBean Posted December 9, 2015 Moderators Share Posted December 9, 2015 Walkthrough with pics here: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/replace-power-steering-o-ring-247949.html?p=5292153#post5292153 "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerLegacy Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Wow! I am so happy this worked out for me too. The first time I tried it I put the o-ring in the hole and pushed the elbow into it. I wouldn't recommend that method at all, as I cut the o-ring right in half..... Well, my car was out of commission over thanksgiving for a couple days because of dealer parts availability... Got another and put it on the elbow first, works great! I can't believe the dealer quotes $1k for parts and labor to replace a power steering pump for a $1 o-ring... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ta_forever Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Hoping someone who has done this can help me. The steering on my legacy has gotten very heavy recently with the weather turning cold. I replaced the belt (it was very chipped ), but it hasn't gotten much better. I inspected the pump and it doesn't look like there is residue around it. Also I don't see any foaming or bubbles in the PS reservoir. Could this o-ring fix still help or is it something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore5 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) The o-ring is cheap, try it and see. Usually you can hear if air is being sucked in and compressed (cavitation ya know). I recommend 2 placed on the elbow with the first acting as a spacer to put the other down into the bore of the port. Edited January 20, 2016 by rmoore5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Gator Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 This thread should be a sticky in the maintenance section. Nothing like a race track to find the weak points in man and machine. "Good Judgement comes from Experience. Experience comes from Bad Judgement" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 This thread should be a sticky in the maintenance section. good idea. and so done... Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilkowz Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Just tried to replace the O-ring before reading this post today. Used a generic a o-ring it's letting all sorts of air into the system. I think I'm going to go get the Subaru part. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birkhoff Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 (edited) Got hit by this problem. I guess one too many times pulling the pump and clamping it out of the way, upside down on the wheel well with hoses all akimbo! The closest standard O-ring is a 014 (dash number) but when I tried it, got a leak just like everyone else. However two of them seem to work if you put them on the spigot back to back. Temporary, maybe permanent fix. If you do this, don't torque down too hard on the clamp bolt as the flange doesn't quite meet the casting properly and you may crack something. Just snug it down and make a note to pick up the correct O-ring at the dealer. BTW, a leak at this joint is quite dramatic -- with red foam spewing out the reservoir cap almost immediately. What a mess! UPDATE: Well, this worked for only 10 days or so, about 100 miles, before it started sucking air again. Still, long enough to get the official part from the dealer (who had to special order). No leaks using the supplied silicone ring, which appears to be metric. It measures about M2 x 13 and that is a standard size. Edited April 26, 2016 by birkhoff Update with outcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NORULZleggy Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 I did not have a leak, but I did this for maintenance due to my car making noise when lock to lock., I also switched out the stock fluid with Amsoil synthetic PS fluid. Car is so easy to turn with one finger. If you do the OEM O-ring do the fluid also. Nothing is life time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I replaced this o-ring about 3 months ago, and I believe I tried to install it in the pump and not on the elbow. Symptoms started up again recently and I noticed new fluid on the top of my pump. On inspection the new o-ring was kinked and broke when I tried to reinstall. New o-ring installed on the elbow, seated tightly and everything is fine again. Also question, I was helping a friend work on his 06 Impreza OBS, his pump is leaking and whining. Is it the same part number across the board? EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore5 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I replaced this o-ring about 3 months ago, and I believe I tried to install it in the pump and not on the elbow. Symptoms started up again recently and I noticed new fluid on the top of my pump. On inspection the new o-ring was kinked and broke when I tried to reinstall. New o-ring installed on the elbow, seated tightly and everything is fine again. Also question, I was helping a friend work on his 06 Impreza OBS, his pump is leaking and whining. Is it the same part number across the board? Booze I responded in another thread, and before here. I used 2 of the factory o-rings to help space the bottom one down into the bore, I think this helps the sealing. Not sure about the wrx numbers without looking it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoozeRS05 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Yes, thanks I saw your post. I think my troubles are solved with it this time. Steering seems to be lighter than ever in fact. I'd be willing to get the o-ring is the same for multiple models & years. Know soon. EB's Subaru journal - 2005 LegacyGT Wagon & 2014 Forester FB25 (2008 specB - RIP) IG@legacygtliving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LatentWagen Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Very likely that it is. The same one worked for my LGT and Saabaru. LW's spec. B / YT / IG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore5 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Yes, thanks I saw your post. I think my troubles are solved with it this time. Steering seems to be lighter than ever in fact. I'd be willing to get the o-ring is the same for multiple models & years. Know soon. Your welcome Booze or do you go by Mr. September now? Ha! Got the calendar today, seems to be a quality unit and some nice cars also! The dual o-ring seemed to work for me for a couple years. Can't tell much now that my GT has become a garage queen. But retirement is good:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Seph_B Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Just a quick thanks Had an issue just like the OP. Found this and figured had to be worth a go. So far its working perfect again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spec.B Dream Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Thanks all. I just completed this fix over lunch in the parking lot of my local dealer. I got some dirty looks from a few sales guys wondering wtf I was doing, but no worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Thanks all. I just completed this fix over lunch in the parking lot of my local dealer. I got some dirty looks from a few sales guys wondering wtf I was doing, but no worries. Good on you showing the waiting customers that owners can maintain these cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amm203 Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 (edited) Add me to the list of people who saved hundreds finding this thread (along with BarManBean's thread). Had PS fluid slowly leaking from somewhere, showing up on top of the PS pump. Tried the o-ring fix and it has stopped. With 8.5" wheels it made a noticeable improvement - thank you! Edited August 24, 2017 by amm203 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkycharms Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Welp...I guess I will add this to my to-do list, my car is a screamer in the morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Make sure your belt is not loose as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkycharms Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Make sure your belt is not loose as well. Thanks. I started with tightening my belt, hoping that was the issue. Figured it may have been loose as I replaced both accessory belts a few months ago, but unfortunately still had the sound when the car was cold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaugranamd Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 HUGE thanks to everyone in this thread! I noticed my PS reservoir would be "overfilled" when hot and the engine was VERY whiney when cold. I had never flushed the PS fluid since I bought the car 55k miles ago, so I did the turkey baster method with a quart of Valvoline Synth Import ATF (manual rec's Dexron III ATF or Subie ATF-HD, this is supposedly a substitute for ATF-HD). Afterwards got a scary "stutter" in the steering wheel when turning with no improvement in the whine. Was resigned to having the PS pump replaced until I found this thread. Read somewhere the O-ring was a 14x10x2mm, so went Advance Auto Parts, got a generic metric O-ring kit for $8, took about 3 minutes to replace the O-ring on the pump intake connection (the ring looked flat on the outside edges, not rounded), turkey baster'd the fluid again but used a quart of Castrol Dexron VI ATF. Took about 15 minutes of racking the wheel and the entire quart of ATF but finally got the bubbles to stop and the whine went away. Drove around the block and the stutter was gone too! We'll see if it lasts. Important point: When people say "PS fluid" or "power steering fluid" it should be clear that you need to check your manual because most of us actually need Automatic Transmission Fluid rather than true "power steering" fluid in the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaugranamd Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Edit: may have spoken too soon. Might have just been because it was warmed up. Just started up and within 30 seconds whining and bubbles in the fluid... What's the next best place to look for a leak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzr750r1 Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Go get a Subaru oring. Your probably still leaking air with that generic part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I'm trying to think back to when I replaced my pump last year due to the bearing being really loud... I feel like it took a few days for things to settle down, and for the fluid to look normal. I just measured a few o-rings I have lying around, they're out of the bags, but I'm almost positive they're for the ps pump. They measured 16mm x 12mm x 2mm, so not sure if that small difference could let air in. I'd try an oem o-ring before doing anything else, they're only around $2 from the dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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