ecahir

Not all the time. It is worse in the cold and only when you go slow like turning into the driveway, left turns from a stop, a slow circle or parking. But then it will happen pretty reliably. I am not sure I am up to this test but will take a look at the link. I agree with you Nipper, neither the PS pump nor torque bind should be left only--very unsatisfactory. I am starting to loathe this car. Too bad, I loved my 1990 Legacy Wagon. I noticed a burning oil smell and mentioned it to the mechanic thinking that I might be leaking Power steering fluid (although the level looked ok) —the oil pump is leaking a little and will need to be replaced soon-estimate is $600. Between the idle injector solenoid debacle ($700 and 6 trips to the shop) and general maintenance (brakes and rotors, new tires, CV joint, and what not) I have been to the shop about 12 times in the last few months and put $2700 into the thing. And I am not finished-that is without the Oil pump and no solution to my left hand turn issue. I may just get rid of it. I just don’t have time to fuss with this thing. I am afraid to drive it even to drive the 75 miles to the Cape.

Another update. Despite the inflated tires I started to feel a vibration on left turns again. So I took it into a different mechanic than I had originally--Speen St. Auto . They specialize in Subies. It is a private garage started by some guys that used to be dealer mechanics. Very well rated on a lot of web sites. They say the problem is with the powersteering and gave me a TSB from 2001 that covered model years 95-00 that said that the back-pressure from the PS pump can cause vibration. Now mine is an 02 but he said it is probably the same problem. The TSB says "While some customers may object to the noise, it does not harm the steering system or any of the components." I have to say I am not a big fan of the "noise" or vibration. It feels like harm is being done--ie like two metal parts are rubbing together. In any case, the mechanic said don't spend any money on this problem or if I really want to try something, have the power steering flushed (he did not have the equipment for such a thing). Does this make any sense to you? Any recommendations on additives to add that might help? Thanks.

I checked my tire pressure and it was low all around--between 23 and 25lbs. I inflated to 30lbs and the problem has disappeared! I need to bring them up to 33lbs but it was about 5 degrees out that day and it was all I could manage at the time. I asked my mechanic if they checked the tire pressures and he said that they probably hadn't. He doubted that they had overlooked something so obvious and still suggested that I would need a clutch/VC replacement (air is too inexpensive). I think I need a new mechanic. Obviously, I need to be a lot more vigilant about the tire pressure (learned from y'all and warned my subie driving friends). I usually gauge my tire pressure by my gas mileage and I thought my mileage was low because of the winter temps. I now have a tire gauge in my coat pocket! I would have thought that in the last 10 times I have been to the shop over the last 3 months (in for idle injector problem--stalling in 1st gear) that they would have filled them for me, but clearly that is not his job (sigh). My question now to you all is have I damage the VC driving it for 3 weeks with occasional binding? Or am I in the clear? Thanks. E.

I am looking for some help with a 2002 Legacy Wagon L, 5sp manual with 55K. About 2 weeks ago, the car got a bad vibration when I turn left and only when I turn left. It doesn't happen ever day, seems worse in the cold or if I am on an incline. Only happens when I am moving slowly and not fast. It is not a subtle vibration; it feels like you are driving over a rumble strip. It never happens when I go right. My left front CV joint was bad and the entire axel replaced. I thought that had fixed it, but about a week later it started up again. My mechanic, who suspects the transfer case, replaced the CV joint again just to be sure that the CV joint he put in wasn't bad, even though he did not believe that was the problem. And of course, driving home from the shop, it did it pulling into my driveway. The thing that neither he nor I understand is if it is the transfer case (viscous coupling type) why only left. Could it be a steering rack problem? Is there something I can do to test like putting it into front wheel drive (is this safe for the car)? I am the original owner, purchased 9/25/01. I replaced the tires last year and they are matched. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.E.