Valijean Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Long time reader, first time poster. I have a '95 Subaru Outback (really a legacy with a sticker). A few months back it started having, for lack of a better term, 'jerky' steering. So it would be tough to turn then it would get real easy as the turn progressed. It was not much of an issue, and it was intermittment, so I didn't do anything about it. Then we got our first cold spell of the season (live in New England) and it got much worse. Still drivable, but a noticeable concern. I have read a bunch about the steering issues, but the change with cold weather threw me. Any ideas? Thanks a ton, Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Hi Valijean and welcome! A few things to check might be make sure fluid level is not low and belt is not slipping. Another thing might be to replace the PS fluid which on Suby's at least of this year is just Dexron ATF; something available retail that would work is Mobil1 syn ATF (syn might be good for the cold weather issue). I use amsoil syn atf works like a dream. You can't get all the old fluid in one swap so you either have to disconnect the return line and pump it thru (but this is difficult because of the rate at which the pump sucks fluid at idle - it actually decreases as rpms go up). Or you can buy say 3-4 quarts of the Mobil1 syn ATF, suck out the old fluid with a suction pump (harbor freight has a nice cheap one for like $6), add new fluid, let it run for a minute, and repeat until all your new Mobil1 is gone. Otherwise your pump or rack might be seeking early retirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valijean Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 I checked the fluid and it is not low. I'll try the pumping thing. Can I pick up the suction pump at AutoZone? Thanks for the help, Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrturbo Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 you should be able to pick one up there. look at the condition of the fluid when it comes out and check for metal shavings or chunks of rubber. i havent seen it as a big sube issue but sometimes the hoses can deteriorate from the inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 i take it that this is a steering issue, not a Torque Bind issue??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 If it were my car I'd jack it up and try the sreering for free movement and wear. It's not unusual to have stuff like ball joints bind in cold weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjo Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 My impreza did something similar to that.. it ended up being one of the needle bearings in the steetin yoke (the UV joints that go from the steering column to the rack), it just siezed up.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannonball Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Long time reader, first time poster. I have a '95 Subaru Outback (really a legacy with a sticker). A few months back it started having, for lack of a better term, 'jerky' steering. So it would be tough to turn then it would get real easy as the turn progressed. It was not much of an issue, and it was intermittment, so I didn't do anything about it. Then we got our first cold spell of the season (live in New England) and it got much worse. Still drivable, but a noticeable concern. I have read a bunch about the steering issues, but the change with cold weather threw me. Any ideas? Thanks a ton, Ryan When you turn the steering wheel slightly back and forth while moving does it feel like the tires are out of balance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valijean Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 No. It is just very hard to turn, then it gets much easier. It is better now as we are having a warm spell. But, being Boston, it will get very cold again soon. Ony my way to Autozone now, I'll try the steering fluid first. quote=cannonball]When you turn the steering wheel slightly back and forth while moving does it feel like the tires are out of balance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Two possabilites....1- the universal joint in the sterring column is shot. 2- the rack is bad if it does it when cold. and the full lock cant be acheived, but when warm is normal. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valijean Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 Quick quesiton on steering fluid removal. So I sucked out the contents of the fluid reservior, refilled it, ran the car, and then repeated this process four more times. Ended up putting in a new quart and a half of power steering fluid. Is this enough? How much power steeering fluid does it hold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valijean Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 This may be a dumb question, but howdo I inspect the rack? Two possabilites....1- the universal joint in the sterring column is shot.2- the rack is bad if it does it when cold. and the full lock cant be acheived, but when warm is normal. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Long time reader, first time poster. I have a '95 Subaru Outback (really a legacy with a sticker). A few months back it started having, for lack of a better term, 'jerky' steering. So it would be tough to turn then it would get real easy as the turn progressed. It was not much of an issue, and it was intermittment, so I didn't do anything about it. Then we got our first cold spell of the season (live in New England) and it got much worse. Still drivable, but a noticeable concern. I have read a bunch about the steering issues, but the change with cold weather threw me. Any ideas? Thanks a ton, Ryan Rack inspection is more of a sympton thing then an inspection. First you rule out the pump, fluid, and universal joint. The symptons you describe (worse when cold especially) are indicitive of the seals in the rack being tired. When the seals are cold, they shrink. The seals already leaking when warm, are leaking much more when cold. Once the fluid warms up it becomes a less of a problem. I think your rack is tired. http://www.car-stuff.com/subarusteeringrack.htm nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankosolder2 Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 If it turns out to be the steering rack, of course, replacement is your best course of action. However, almost a decade's worth of GM FWD cars suffered from this malady when worn- the nickname for the symptom was "morning sickness" due to the problems surfacing when the car was first started cold. There are some power steering fluid additives made for the GM problem...might work on the Suby. Good luck, Nathan No.It is just very hard to turn, then it gets much easier. It is better now as we are having a warm spell. But, being Boston, it will get very cold again soon. Ony my way to Autozone now, I'll try the steering fluid first. quote=cannonball]When you turn the steering wheel slightly back and forth while moving does it feel like the tires are out of balance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djmark7 Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 i had the same problem on a 98 legacy wagon. solution? 1 used steering rack - $75. from junkyard, 2. Installation Labor $100. not too bad hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valijean Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 This has been very helpful. I'll see how the new steering fluid helps and then go down the steering rack road. (no pun intended) thanks again for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 you want to check everything. Any moving part is subject to tightening up in the cold. Back there salt gets on everything down low and it sure does not help bearings and tie rod ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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