Shudder caused by leaking power steering fluid

[Yousuf Khan]

Here's an update on my previous problem. Finally got it over to the
dealership the other day, and we found out what the problem is. The
power steering fluid is leaking out, and it's because the rubber seals
have cracked on the assembly. The dealer is suggesting that I totally
replace the entire steering rack assembly. He is saying that there is no
fix for just the seals alone, the whole rack has to be replaced!

Is this true, or is he just blowing smoke up my ...? Replacing the
steering rack will cost $1100 including labour, he says.

I was thinking of just topping up the power steering fluid as a
temporary fix.

Yousuf Khan

In reference to this previous thread:

http://tinyurl.com/yjwjmqy

 

[Stewart DIBBS]

... the rubber seals have cracked on the assembly. The dealer is
suggesting that I totally replace the entire steering rack assembly. He is
saying that there is no fix for just the seals alone, the whole rack has
to be replaced!

Sounds like bullshit to me! It's simply easier and more profitable for the
dealer to replace the whole assembly. Oil seals are designed to be
replacable. The only seals on the rack are
a) on the pinion shaft; and
b) on the ends of the rack.

Rack reconditioners do this repair all the time. Try another dealer or a
Subaru specialist eg one who works on WRX performance mods. I'll bet they
won't want to replace the whole rack.

SD

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Sounds like bullshit to me! It's simply easier and more profitable for the
dealer to replace the whole assembly. Oil seals are designed to be
replacable. The only seals on the rack are
a) on the pinion shaft; and
b) on the ends of the rack.

Rack reconditioners do this repair all the time. Try another dealer or a
Subaru specialist eg one who works on WRX performance mods. I'll bet they
won't want to replace the whole rack.

So I took your advice, got a second opinion from Canadian Tire, and they
confirmed what the dealer said. They're saying that the fluid is leaking
out and getting contaminated, and that simply fixing the boots isn't
enough. I don't know any rack reconditioners or Subaru performance
specialists in this town.

Yousuf Khan

 

[johninky]

Did some checking around a looks like a used rack runs in the $50 to
$100 range. I'd find a good used one and go that route, but that's
just me.

 

[Bob Bailin]

So I took your advice, got a second opinion from Canadian Tire, and they
confirmed what the dealer said. They're saying that the fluid is leaking
out and getting contaminated, and that simply fixing the boots isn't
enough. I don't know any rack reconditioners or Subaru performance
specialists in this town.

Yousuf Khan

You could buy the entire rack assembly new from the dealer for $676.66,
(less online) but not just a rebuild kit with new seals.

Check out www.car-part.com for steering racks in your area. They don't
list Subaru Outback Wagon as one of their models, but looking under
2000 Subaru Impreza yielded many possibilities, all under $150.

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

So I took your advice, got a second opinion from Canadian Tire, and they
confirmed what the dealer said. They're saying that the fluid is leaking
out and getting contaminated, and that simply fixing the boots isn't
enough. I don't know any rack reconditioners or Subaru performance
specialists in this town.

Yousuf Khan

Wow!

You should be able to find a 'remanufatured' one for $250.

Ya know what they do? They take the thing apart, replace any worn rods or
other pieces, and...replace the seals...

I didn't catch what year or model, but at AutoZone they list a reman'd
rack and pinion for $344.99, or $229.99 + $115 core charge for a 2000
Legacy Outback.

I found your original post. Yup! 2000 Legacy Outback...

 

[John]

Here's an update on my previous problem. Finally got it over to the
dealership the other day, and we found out what the problem is. The power
steering fluid is leaking out, and it's because the rubber seals have
cracked on the assembly. The dealer is suggesting that I totally replace
the entire steering rack assembly. He is saying that there is no fix for
just the seals alone, the whole rack has to be replaced!

Is this true, or is he just blowing smoke up my ...? Replacing the
steering rack will cost $1100 including labour, he says.

I was thinking of just topping up the power steering fluid as a temporary
fix.

Yousuf Khan

In reference to this previous thread:

http://tinyurl.com/yjwjmqy

Most shops will simply replace the rack. The dealer's rack maybe new but an
independent Subaru shop would most likely install a remanufactured one for
half the price. Or go used for even less.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Check out www.car-part.com for steering racks in your area. They don't
list Subaru Outback Wagon as one of their models, but looking under
2000 Subaru Impreza yielded many possibilities, all under $150.

The Impreza uses the same rack?

Yousuf Khan

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Most shops will simply replace the rack. The dealer's rack maybe new but an
independent Subaru shop would most likely install a remanufactured one for
half the price. Or go used for even less.

Yeah, that's what a lot of shops are suggesting too.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Here's yet another update to this problem, and it's a weird one too.

While I was having this steering problem, I was also having a totally
separate problem with the car regarding a cracked exhaust pipe. The
crack occurred in the central pipe that goes between the catalyst and
the muffler. This entire pipe and muffler had been replaced back in June
so it was brand new, and it obviously must've been installed too loosely
since it cracked so soon afterwards. I got the pipe replaced under
warranty, and as soon that problem was fixed, somehow the shuddering in
the steering also stopped! It seems like the exhaust pipe was shuddering
in sympathy to the steering rack or something!

Actually I don't think it was shuddering in sympathy to the steering
wheel movement so much as it may been shuddering to the engine RPMs.
Since I noticed the shuddering only during low speed parking maneuvers,
I think the additional load that the power steering pump generates on
the engine at that low speed may have caused a vibration on the loose
exhaust pipe, through the exhaust gas resonance. Another thing I noticed
while the exhaust pipe was cracked was that I just had a general loss of
power in the engine, which was also fixed up after the pipe was replaced.

Short summary, looks like the steering rack is not as bad as I thought,
though obviously it's still not healthy. I can now replace the rack in a
little more convenient time.

Yousuf Khan