Page 1 of 1

Power Steering Fluid Service - What tools are needed?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 1:03 pm
by cooki_monsta
What tool do you guys use to take off pipe A and/or B? I tried using a metric size 12 spanner and it pretty much stripped the nut first time... :(

It's frustrating cause I was ready to flush out the power steering fluid.

It looks like I need to have a few spare nuts on hand. Do the pipes have flared ends? If they do, I'm assuming they come with the nuts as a kit...

Re: Power Steering Fluid Service - What tools are needed?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:51 pm
by jaydece
I recently reconditioned my steering pump and flushed the system with like 1-2 liters worth of ATF DEX III fluid...

I cheated.....I removed the 2 bolts holding the tank to maneuver it around better....then I disconnected the return hose and diverted the fluid into another container. Lock to lock turns while maintaining the reservoir tank full with fluid until I used up 2 litres...

subaru manual...

1) Lift the vehicle.
2) Remove the crossmember support.
3) Remove the pipe joint in the center of gearbox,
and connect the vinyl hose to the pipe and joint.
Wipe fluid off while turning the steering wheel.
4) Add the specified fluid to reservoir tank at “MAX”
level.
5) Maintaining the fluid level of Step 4), continue to
turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock until
the bubbles stop appearing on oil surface.
6) If the steering wheel is turned in a low fluid level
condition, air will be sucked into the pipe. If air has
entered, leave it for about half an hour and then repeat
step 5) again.
7) Start the engine and let it idle.
8) Continue to turn the steering wheel slowly from
lock to lock again until the bubbles stop appearing
on oil surface, while keeping the fluid at the level in
Step 4).
Normally bubbles will stop appearing after turning
the steering wheel from lock to lock three times.
9) In case bubbles do not stop appearing in the
tank, leave it about half an hour and then do the
step 4) all over again.
10) Lower the vehicle, and then idle the engine.
11) Continue to turn the steering wheel from lock to
lock until the bubbles stop appearing and change of
the fluid level is within 3 mm (0.12 in).
12) In case the following happens, leave it about
half an hour and then do step 8) to 11) again.
(1) The fluid level changes 3 mm (0.12 in) or
more.
(2) Bubbles remain on the upper surface of the
fluid.
(3) Grinding noise is generated from oil pump.
13) Check the fluid leakage after turning steering
wheel from lock to lock with engine running

Re: Power Steering Fluid Service - What tools are needed?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:48 am
by cooki_monsta
I've got the manual. I just don't know how people manage to remove the pipe joint.

Re: Power Steering Fluid Service - What tools are needed?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:07 am
by Robbks
don;t bother with the Subaru way.
Do it as Jay has said

remove the return hose from the reservoir.
block off that inlet to the reservoir, and catch the fluid in another container until all the old crap is out.

another way is to just use a syringe to suck out the old/ returned fluid from the reservoir a few times.

Re: Power Steering Fluid Service - What tools are needed?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:41 pm
by Brunsy3.0
i did this the other day by myself was simple enough but hard to turn the wheel and then check the fluid level and keep it constant, i sucked a bit of air into the system and it took a few days to completely come out, was only a few days ago that overnight the fluid dropped to very low and once topped up it has been fine, didnt matter how many times i turned it lock to lock the air seemed to stay in the line, just happy it is finally gone, was thinking i may need a new pump haha lucky