"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
04/29/2015 at 15:22 • Filed to: Subaru, WRX
0
5|
"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
04/29/2015 at 15:22 • Filed to: Subaru, WRX | 0
| 5 |
Bear with me here as I attempt to diagnose my issue from the computer at work, use my hastily typed notes, and use everyone as a confidant/informant. So here is the issue that has started as of late: I occasional get a notchy sound and feel in wheel when turning at low speeds, multiple clicks at times. There is also an intermittent power steering failure, hard to turn wheel, goes super stiff to normal looser feeling at seemingly random times.
I have check the Power steering reservoir and it is full and I can’t find any leaks. I didn’t notice any tears in the CV Boots while crawling underneath, I will need to get it in the air after work to get a better look.
I suspect at least one of multiple things that I have read about; 1.CV joints/half shafts are done for 2. Steering rack U-joints are frozen 3. Something with the sway bar
So here is my plan of action when I get home.
–Get car in the air to get underneath
–Better checking of the CV boots
–Grab wheels and move back and forth to check for CV failure (Jack up the front and see if there is any give in the wheels? not too sure on that)
–Check the steering rack bushing and U-joints by having someone move the steering wheel while front of car is in the air.
–Check for anything broken or loose on the swaybar/mounts/bushings (Grabbing them and shaking violently?)
Edit: Another common thing I am seeing is an o-ring at the Power steering pump going bad. So I will start it up and remove the power steering cap to look for bubbling/foaming seems to be the way to check that.
Car is an 03 WRX and any sort of other info/ideas/words of encouragement/am I following the proper steps would be greatly appreciated.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> PowderHound
04/29/2015 at 15:31 |
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I’ve seen this exact issue on a WRX of that age, though I didn’t get a chance to fix it for the friend I diagnosed it for. Steering u-joints, almost without question... at least for the “intermittent power steering failure”. Remember, if it binds up before it hits the box, the car never knows you’re having trouble turning the wheel. All that being said, the clicks and other symptoms *could* be other problems as well - hers wasn’t advanced to that point.
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PowderHound
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/29/2015 at 15:34 |
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“The box” being the power steering box? Would you recommend replacing the u-joints or just lube them? At least it’s a starting point!
That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
> PowderHound
04/29/2015 at 15:38 |
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Second on steering u joints. Had that on an E36 BMW. Seems the likely culprit.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> PowderHound
04/29/2015 at 16:06 |
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I don’t know enough to say whether lubing them will be enough, but lubing them will definitely prove whether that’s the issue... though from some of what I read, having them lubed enough to fix the problem may require having them apart. The box is the steering box/power steering box, yes. It provides power based somewhat on how hard you’re turning the wheel, but if the shaft is jamming before turning it, there’s never any torque that gets there. Having the U-joints come before the power steering system means the power steering system can’t help you fight them, and the effect of any “stickiness” is magnified as a result.
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PowderHound
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/29/2015 at 16:24 |
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Sounds dead on like what I have going on. Thanks for the awesome description!