remanufactured power steering pumps - successful?

[nnealley]

Mine is leaking and needs replacement - on 2006 Outback.  Mechanic says remanufactured pumps (Maval) last one to two years on average.  New Subaru pump, twice the price . last 5-10 years.  Would like to hear from anyone who has gone either route.

[idosubaru]

I agree - pointless to get an aftermarket pump. If it needs a pump (which I doubt, more on that later), get a used one. Subaru pumps routinely last 200,000 miles/life of the car.

 

Get a used one www.car-part.com

 

They're so easy to replace the labor is a nonissue - it takes 30 minutes. Subaru pumps since they typically last 200k, there is zero demand, you can buy a pump for $25 all day long, and the risk of catastrophic failure is near zero.

 

$25 part, cheaper and better than aftermarket.

 

A note about 5-10 years - that's not accurate. Maybe 20% failure rate (totally made up number for illustration purposes). The notion that they "last 5-10 years" is classic misinterpretation - correlation does not mean causation. People that don't know better inaccurately associate 5-10 years or 100k-150k to all sorts of failure modes that aren't accurate for subarus. younger cars more likely go to dealer. older more likely to be nonexistent or done at home by DIY folks, or traded in/junked with a looming repair. 5-10 year old subarus are just the most common cars a mechanic sees because that's mostly just what's on the road and the type of folks typically going to independent shops. And the mechanic likely doesn't have keen eyes on how many older/high mileage Subarus that have never had the pump replaced. He just sees the failed ones. When you specialize and see the same subarus for 5-10 years you see clear trends a general mechanic isnt privy too.

 

I can make a huge list of older high mileage subarus all with original pumps. I'm probably forgetting one but I've never even replaced a failed Subaru power steering pump (ignoring electric pumps most mechanic doesn't even know exists). ive repaired lots of issues that would have resulted in pump replacement at a shop (see below).

 

Subaru power steering pump failure is extremely rare. it's more likely misdiagnosed instead of needing a pump. Most Subaru pump replacements are actually other issues. i would verify the diagnosis - what's it doing?

 

If leaking you can reseal the pump. Get the Subaru kit, OEM quality and cheaper.

 

If making noise then an oring or hose causes aeration and whining or belt (very common in 05-09's), or the 00-04 model misadjusted shroud issues, these need repaired. They're all easy cheap fixes.

 

If lumpy feeling steering it's the steering rack ujoint.

[Crazyeights]

@grossgary

 

I seem to learn something new and helpful just about every time I read your replies. 

 

Thank you

[idosubaru]

Leak - you're sure it's not the hose or oring fittings? Common leak points.

 

You can reseal the pumps - this is for 2004 and earlier but for example $17.95 here:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/190895609077?fits=Make%3ASubaru%7CModel%3AOutback

 

I wouldn't maybe do this for other cars but Subaru power steering systems are robust and spending inordinate money on new OEM isn't worth it and aftermarket is s downgrade. So this is a good option.

[idosubaru]

Haha Crazyeight you might be joking and I get that but goodness I write too much, poor forum. I'm glad one person maybe actually got something from that diatribe. Lol

[Crazyeights]

I was serious, thanks!

[brus brother]

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/151953-05-ob-power-steering-fluid-leak/

My 05 was leaking and this single o ring mentioned in the above link solved my problem.

[Fairtax4me]

Most of the time leaks are due to the reservoir o-ring leaking. The main pump housing gasket does occasionally leak, which requires disassembly of the pump to replace, but that takes maybe an hour and about $50 for the seal kit and a new front bearing.

I rebuilt the one on my 96 around January 2010. I've put close to 80k miles on it leak free.

[1 Lucky Texan]

^^^ +1 i have fixed 2 Subaru power steering issues with o-rings only on one, o-rings and some fresh fluid on another

 

 

and I don't want my grossgarys to slow down posting at all.

 

I need as many grossgary posts as i can get!

Edited June 18, 2016 by 1 Lucky Texan

[brus brother]

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/108746-leaking-power-steering-pump.html

see post #8 for recap

o ring at top of pump

[idosubaru]

And there you go - quantitative proof of everything I detailed. Often, if these cars mentioned were taken to a mechanic/shop, they would replace the pump. The new pump wasnt needed but it did "fix it" only incidentally. Happens all the time.

 

Mechanics aren't to blame necessarily though, there are practical constraints they have to work around too, particularly those that don't specialize. They simply can't know all the various failure modes of every manufacturer and vehicle and changes they've made over the years. And while Subaru steering component failure is rare, that's not true of other manufacturers, so mechanics see plenty of pump and other issues, so a diagnosis that looks weird to us (highly specialized) looks normal to some.

[winginit]

 better of getting a sooby pump from the JY.  i just got one for $40

[nnealley]

Wow, thanks for the informative responses to my query of just over 24 hours ago!  You've given me some options to look into.  Clearly, a number of folks who really know Subarus and automotive mechanics.  Glad I joined USMB.

[idosubaru]

 Clearly, a number of folks who really know Subarus and automotive mechanics.  Glad I joined USMB.

 

This place leans a bit towards the practical and technical side but this is probably the most informed, well versed automotive online forum i've seen.  i'm usually surprised at how little and limited information there is out there on other vehicles that have large fan/customer bases, $$$, and history in the US.