steering noises

[Greg R]

I have a '97 Subaru Impreza with 150k miles on it. This spring I
noticed loud sqealling noises when I'd first start the car (well the
noise would start the first time I turned the wheel. Also, when cold
and sqealing the battery light would flash on a few times. I brought
it in to Subaru and they checked the belts (at the time I only told
them it sqealled when started (not when I would steer). They said the
belts looked fine. Now, a few months later I'm noticing that the
steering is making weird noises sometimes. I only occurs when doing a
slow hard turn (in a parking lot, or pulling out of a road for
instance). It sounds kind of like when you turn the wheel all the way
over and hit the end (like a whirring/rubbing noise). Also, during
this time the wheel kind of vibrates a bit (like the power steering is
coming and going). I called Subaru and explained the problem, they
say sounds like front differential (big $$$). Going to have it
checked tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas at what I'm looking at?
Thanks!!

 

[Greg R]

I have a '97 Subaru Impreza with 150k miles on it. This spring I
noticed loud sqealling noises when I'd first start the car (well the
noise would start the first time I turned the wheel. Also, when cold
and sqealing the battery light would flash on a few times. I brought
it in to Subaru and they checked the belts (at the time I only told
them it sqealled when started (not when I would steer). They said the
belts looked fine. Now, a few months later I'm noticing that the
steering is making weird noises sometimes. I only occurs when doing a
slow hard turn (in a parking lot, or pulling out of a road for
instance). It sounds kind of like when you turn the wheel all the way
over and hit the end (like a whirring/rubbing noise). Also, during
this time the wheel kind of vibrates a bit (like the power steering is
coming and going). I called Subaru and explained the problem, they
say sounds like front differential (big $$$). Going to have it
checked tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas at what I'm looking at?
Thanks!!

In addition.... Sorry. I should also mention this noise etc also
occurs while the car is not moving (ie I can have it in park and steer
back and forth with the same issues).

 

[strchild]

Since you didn't mention, have you checked the power steering fluid level
yet? The dipstick for the fluid has a mark for hot on one side and cold on
the other, so be sure you read the proper side.

Maybe it's just me, but, if you are just sitting still, and you can cause
the noise by turning your steering wheel to the left or right, how does the
differential enter into the equation? I would hope nobody is trying to
cheat you by telling you it is a front differential.

I had a front differential that was dying in my '89 GL turbo wagon (4EAT),
to which the Subaru dealer said, "Huh, those things never fail." Well,
parently they do! (-; Anyhow, when it started to go, it actually sounded
like a very slight, "jet engine whirring" noise coming from behind the
firewall, and over the course of about two months, grew louder. The whir
was somewhat high pitched, but not as a squeal you might experience from
brakes or wheel bearings. The fix for me was a $150 tranny pulled out of
the wrecking yard, and a week of work, poking around the engine bay of my
car. It would have cost me in the ballpark of $2000+ to have it repaired by
a shop, which was more than I paid for the car, so I said, what the heck, I
could use the experience (not that I really wanted it)! I don't recall the
steering being affected by the differential failing.

~Brian

 

[Greg R]

Since you didn't mention, have you checked the power steering fluid level
yet? The dipstick for the fluid has a mark for hot on one side and cold on
the other, so be sure you read the proper side.

Maybe it's just me, but, if you are just sitting still, and you can cause
the noise by turning your steering wheel to the left or right, how does the
differential enter into the equation? I would hope nobody is trying to
cheat you by telling you it is a front differential.

I had a front differential that was dying in my '89 GL turbo wagon (4EAT),
to which the Subaru dealer said, "Huh, those things never fail." Well,
parently they do! (-; Anyhow, when it started to go, it actually sounded
like a very slight, "jet engine whirring" noise coming from behind the
firewall, and over the course of about two months, grew louder. The whir
was somewhat high pitched, but not as a squeal you might experience from
brakes or wheel bearings. The fix for me was a $150 tranny pulled out of
the wrecking yard, and a week of work, poking around the engine bay of my
car. It would have cost me in the ballpark of $2000+ to have it repaired by
a shop, which was more than I paid for the car, so I said, what the heck, I
could use the experience (not that I really wanted it)! I don't recall the
steering being affected by the differential failing.

~Brian

That was my thought/hope (that the fact it also happens when sitting
still could indicate it's not a differential). Certainly not going to
put 2k into this car. I don't think someone is trying to cheat me
(hope not), I think based on my uneducated explanation they gave me a
guesstimate sight unseen. Just got back from about a 10-15 minutes
drive (5-10 miles?). I checked the power steering fluid level and
there's nothing on the stick (it's bone dry). Looking into the
resevoir there's a filter looking thing, and some fluid in the bottom
(not enough to reach the stick). What color should the fluid be?
Mine is like a mustard yellow. So, looks like this is the culprit?
Next question..... Why is the fluid so low? I have to say I'm not a
fanatic about keeping up with all the recommended maintenance, so I
couldn't tell you last time steering fluid was even checked, let alone
filled. I've never noticed leaks under the car or anything like
that. Thanks for your help thus far!!!

 

[strchild]

Mustard yellow?! Well, that sounds really odd to start. Many new cars, and
all of the Subarus I've ever owned (5 so far), take ATF (automatic
transmission fluid) to use as the power steering fluid, and that is a nice
red color.

The yellow colored fluid could be some other sort of power steering fluid
put in by mistake, and also may have damaged the seals in your power
steering system somewhere, which of course would be a good explanation for
the now low level of fluid. I've seen guys at the local "quickie" lube
shops make a mess when they perform extra services, including topping up the
P/S fluid and I even had an argument with service guy over the type of fluid
to use in my XT-6 (in the end I just told him to not touch it, as the
warning on the cap was not convincing for him.)

If it were up to me, I would grab any bottle of cheap ATF, top up your power
steering reservoir (according to the marks on the dip stick), regardless of
the fluid that's already in the system. Once you have it topped up, turn
the steering wheel all the way to the end in both directions to help get any
air out of the system, and see if your noises stop occurring or at least
diminish. Reason I wouldn't worry about the already installed fluid is
because I would flush the system anyway to get rid of the yellow fluid.
Topping it up will at least help you determine if you need to take the car
to a shop. If your steering system has a small leak, it's not the end of
the world to just keep an eye on it and keep it topped up, depending on the
leak, until you decide what to do for that. Flushing and refilling your
power steering system isn't too big a deal if you find that's all it needs,
and you wanna give it a shot yourself. (-;

Anybody else know what the yellow colored fluid might be? Generic PS fluid?
Stop leak? Discolored water? Grey Poupon (joking, but you did say it was
mustard colored)?

~Brian

 

[Greg R]

Mustard yellow?! Well, that sounds really odd to start. Many new cars, and
all of the Subarus I've ever owned (5 so far), take ATF (automatic
transmission fluid) to use as the power steering fluid, and that is a nice
red color.

The yellow colored fluid could be some other sort of power steering fluid
put in by mistake, and also may have damaged the seals in your power
steering system somewhere, which of course would be a good explanation for
the now low level of fluid. I've seen guys at the local "quickie" lube
shops make a mess when they perform extra services, including topping up the
P/S fluid and I even had an argument with service guy over the type of fluid
to use in my XT-6 (in the end I just told him to not touch it, as the
warning on the cap was not convincing for him.)

If it were up to me, I would grab any bottle of cheap ATF, top up your power
steering reservoir (according to the marks on the dip stick), regardless of
the fluid that's already in the system. Once you have it topped up, turn
the steering wheel all the way to the end in both directions to help get any
air out of the system, and see if your noises stop occurring or at least
diminish. Reason I wouldn't worry about the already installed fluid is
because I would flush the system anyway to get rid of the yellow fluid.
Topping it up will at least help you determine if you need to take the car
to a shop. If your steering system has a small leak, it's not the end of
the world to just keep an eye on it and keep it topped up, depending on the
leak, until you decide what to do for that. Flushing and refilling your
power steering system isn't too big a deal if you find that's all it needs,
and you wanna give it a shot yourself. (-;

Anybody else know what the yellow colored fluid might be? Generic PS fluid?
Stop leak? Discolored water? Grey Poupon (joking, but you did say it was
mustard colored)?

~Brian

Okay, refilled the power steering (using Dextron ATF). This helped a
LOT!! So far so good. I must be color blind, I dipped a paper towel
in the resevior and the fluid was a darking maroon/rust color).
Looked orange sitting in the filter. I'll just now have to keep an
eye on it.

 

[nobody >]

In addition.... Sorry. I should also mention this noise etc also
occurs while the car is not moving (ie I can have it in park and steer
back and forth with the same issues).

If there's noise without moving, it's not the differential.

 

[Phluge]

Okay, refilled the power steering (using Dextron ATF). This helped a
LOT!! So far so good. I must be color blind, I dipped a paper towel
in the resevior and the fluid was a darking maroon/rust color).
Looked orange sitting in the filter. I'll just now have to keep an
eye on it.

You need to look around all of the hoses and see if you find what looks like
grease, esp. where the hoses connect. You don't notice small leaks in the
steering by looking under the car -- they evaporate to look like grease esp.
if you neglect maintainance. You need to check all of your fluids regularly.

If I were you I would suck the fluid you installed back out, replace it
with a sealer and top it off with new fluid. If it went dry you might have
crap residue you can remove now that it is dissolved.

By the way, have you checked your trans fluid lately?

Pflu

 

[Greg R]

You need to look around all of the hoses and see if you find what looks like
grease, esp. where the hoses connect. You don't notice small leaks in the
steering by looking under the car -- they evaporate to look like grease esp.
if you neglect maintainance. You need to check all of your fluids regularly.

If I were you I would suck the fluid you installed back out, replace it
with a sealer and top it off with new fluid. If it went dry you might have
crap residue you can remove now that it is dissolved.

By the way, have you checked your trans fluid lately?

Pflu

Just got the car back from a mechanic. They say the rack/pinion is
leaking. I was quoted about $600 parts/labor for the work. Now,
while I consider if it's worth putting 600 into a car with 155k miles
that has a few other minor problems, am I at danger of loosing
steering altogether, or just the power steering? Want to see how
quickly I have to make a decision.

 

[strchild]

My steering rack also leaks, right where the shaft from the steering wheel
attaches. Haven't had any adverse affects from the leak, other than having
to top it off every so often and a little smoke from the fluid on occasion.
Been leaking almost two years now with no major changes so until I get
around to it, from my perspective, the cost outweighs the nuisance.

YMMV,
~Brian

 

[Greg R]

My steering rack also leaks, right where the shaft from the steering wheel
attaches. Haven't had any adverse affects from the leak, other than having
to top it off every so often and a little smoke from the fluid on occasion.
Been leaking almost two years now with no major changes so until I get
around to it, from my perspective, the cost outweighs the nuisance.

YMMV,
~Brian

I'm going to monitor how often I have to add fluid. If it's a real
slow leak I'll probably live with it for 6-12 months then get rid of
the car (too many other small nuisance problems with it like AC
broken, burning smell etc). I'm also going to have Subaru look at it
(second opinion). I also have a SLIM hope that what the mechanic saw
was a result of my lazy/sloppy pouring of fluid. I spilled a decent
amount pouring it in (lost my funnel and haven't yet gotten another).
For now, I hope to do what you're doing, live with it and refill as
needed. I really appreciate all your suggestions and feedback, thanks
a lot.