club.liberty.asn.au

Help needed!!!
2004 Liberty wagon 3.0R H6 auto

A couple of weeks ago the mrs complained about "a funny noise". Turns out the power steering looked as though it was leaking & the noise she was hearing was the low fluid in the reservoir.
Topped it up n all was good for a day or 2. Same issue. I did a bit of troubleshooting, the power steering fluid was getting aerated & working it way out through the cap.
A mate & myself carried out the 200 000 km service, checked out the power steering system etc, new power steering fluid, serp belt etc
After that i have..........
Put hose clamps on all hoses in system
Replaced all the o-rings in the system. Much the same prob, now with a slight shudder when turning right only
Pressure tested the system as best i could (with a 100 odd psi air compressor). Much the same.....
Replaced the suction hose with a temporary hose (bit of heater hose i had) from reservoir to top of pump & now the steering shudders like all f#%k (i've attempted to add a vid here)

I've got it up on a jack & when i turn the steering wheel either direction it shudders uncontrollably & doesn't stop until the car is turned off. Start it & no shudder until you turn the wheel. I haven't attempted anything with the car on the ground as last week when i did a bit (including a thorough bleed of the system) it didn't carry on like this on the stands.
It's turning into a bit of an on going saga. I'm looking at a pump initially then a steering rack.
Anyone out there had a similar issue. I've searched various websites etc & the only info i can find is about aeration. I'm leaning toward the pump shaft seal, but it's only a reasonably educated guess.
Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers

Seals are gone and air is getting into the pump. You'll need to get your pump rebuilt.

Mine has the same problem, been doing it for a couple months, got a replacement sitting there, I lack tools at the moment so I just top it up every now and again.

Just changing out the fluid can help, followed by changing the o ring on the fluid return line, or rebuilding or replacing the pump. In either case bleed air from the system using the procedure in the factory service manual.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=3443 ... 34439fg000

http://forum.wrx.com.au/viewtopic.php?f ... f2dbc484db

http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8886

https://www.google.com.au/search?biw=32 ... R5N8&pbx=1

Thanks for the help.
Looks like i'll be chasing a replacement pump or rebuilding this one.
Any ideas where to get a seal kit or pump? (other than Subaru)
Thanks again

So have you replaced the o-ring where the return line goes into the top of the power steering pump?
I had a similar problem to yours, but it was only noisy and shuddering once you hit full lock in either direction and at that point the fluid became aerated.
The o-ring on top of the pump is the usual culprit for sucking in air and after I replaced mine the problem was solved.
The guys at Subaru told me I needed a new pump by the way, but a $3 part did the trick!

Thanks for the help people.
I've replaced all the o-rings & had pirtek make up a pressure pipe. Mrs hasn't complained yet.
I finish work on Monday, so i'll be able to see how it's all going.
Got my hands on a pump rebuild kit from a local power steering mob.
Pump rebuild soon.......
Cheers