Logan K Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 is it normal for the Cybrid power steering system make a high pitched whining sound? and since it was leaking, i put in some lucas stop-leak power steering fluid...then was told by a tech at smart subaru that doing that had probably destroyed the whole system...is that true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 (edited) Definitely could have damaged it - they are designed to use a very special fluid which is no longer made. There have been some people using other (carefully selected) synthetic fluids without issue. Check the XT board for info on that. Lucas makes nothing that I would put in my vehicle. Definitely avoid their products in the future. And for the most part there is no such thing as "power steering fluid". It's hydraulic oil - typically ATF or silicone based. Subaru's (with the exception of the XT6) use ATF across the board. Don't ever put any kind of "stop leak" into a vehicle's fluids - always fix the leaks mechanically. There is no such thing as a repair in a bottle. GD Edited March 13, 2010 by GeneralDisorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan K Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 well the PO used ATF in it...and it is leaking pretty badly already. i suppose i might as well just bite the bullet and rebuild it...also i was wondering if anyone has ever swapped power steering from an EA series into an XT6 for reliability's sake? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 ATF shouldn't ruin it. More than likely it was leaking before, whinning before and that necessitated the addition of the ATF. It's not supposed to be used but enough folks have gotten away with it that I wouldn't say "Your system is hosed". If it's leaking - at least take a cursory glance to see where the leak is. Blindly dumping fluid in, regardless of how one feels ideologically about stop leak products, is still just a horrible idea. If it's leaking - fix the leak or at least look and see where it's leaking. Power steering fluid leaks are easy to find. There's a 50 cent hose coming out of the pump, that is very common to leak. Fix it. It's just regular automotive hose (like for transmission lines) and clamps. Generic stuff available at any auto parts store. The other place it might leak is at the tie rods/rack boots. If it's leaking there then you'll need to replace the rack or try your hand at some power steering stop leak. The seals at those spots are the only leaks that stop leak has a chance to slow down or stop. Not that I recommend it, but if you're going to replace it anyway I'd give it whirl. Steering racks are actually not hard to replace either, so don't sweat it if the rack is leaking and you want to replace it. Used ones are easy enough to find or recently new XT racks have been popping up on ebay for next to nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan K Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share Posted March 16, 2010 its leaking from several places....ill post pictures when the sun comes back up. at least my cybrid fluid is finally here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan K Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share Posted March 16, 2010 oh, and grossgary, is this your lifted xt6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themoneypit Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 i dont think thats garys lifted 6, but that thing is damn sweet!! i believe garys is white, and also freakin sweet.. makes me jealous... if you need a rack, i just bought a reman one one ebay for 35 bux shipped to my door.. they are pretty cheap now that theres not a huge demand for them anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 well, that's my small lift kit....NOT! no way, that's not mine. mine is only 2" and everything is stock XT6 (even suspension) and Subaru wheels - that car is way beefier and built than that, but it was built by a board member here. his recommendations for new rack are a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xoomer Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Yeah the leak is my fault.. You have new brushes in there but the seal was destroyed during Reassembly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in KY Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Contact Edrach if you decide to just replace the pump. He has a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themoneypit Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 well, that's my small lift kit....NOT! no way, that's not mine. mine is only 2" and everything is stock XT6 (even suspension) and Subaru wheels - that car is way beefier and built than that, but it was built by a board member here. his recommendations for new rack are a good one. hey gary, did you ever figure a way to make it work with the rear air struts? or are you running coilovers in the rear still? im so tempted to order the same stuff you did and put a lift on mine!! i already have some 17 inch rims that would go on it, would just have to buy some sneakers for them. what size rims/tires are you running on yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan K Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 was that the only leak point when you gave the car to t-roy? i still cant find any other leaks besides that spot, but it seems like that doesn't explain all the fluid that is disappearing from the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xoomer Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 That was the only one I knew about when I traded it to t-roy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 hey gary, did you ever figure a way to make it work with the rear air struts? or are you running coilovers in the rear still? im so tempted to order the same stuff you did and put a lift on mine!! i already have some 17 inch rims that would go on it, would just have to buy some sneakers for them. what size rims/tires are you running on yours? I haven't yet. i have the sika-flex marine grade adhesive sealant recommended by others and new rear bushings to try someday. currently running coil overs and it sits perfectly level so not too worried about it. the air rides nicer though. i have crappy 14" wheels with snow tires on it now. i have an assortment of 16" Subaru wheels to put on it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now