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Power steering pump does not work after replacing

Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 6.5L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Installed new power steering pump, filled reservoir, moved steering wheel all the way right and left numerous times, checked fluid level, still no power steering.
How do I know if the new pump is bad? Thanks for your help!
Saturday, May 8th, 2021 AT 8:59 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This could be a power steering pump issue but what was the issue from the start? Did changing the pump change it all?

We will need to check the pressure coming out of the pump but I am thinking you have an issue with the steering rack.

I attached the info below on how it works. Basically the pump is always generating pressure and when you turn the wheel the pressure is directed to that side of the rack to assist with steering.

So I would lift the front wheels and then route the pressure hose into a bucket and turn the wheels when you have the engine running. Clearly you will need to make sure the reservoir stays full but you only need to run it for a second or two just to find out that there is pressure.

Then I would replace the pump or rack depending on the results.

https://youtu.be/C1h8Xl1E8hI

If there is not much pressure, the pump is faulty. If there is pressure then you need to replace the rack.

Let us know if you have questions. Thanks
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Sunday, May 9th, 2021 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you so much for your quick reply.
I will try this first thing in the morning!
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Sunday, May 9th, 2021 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So, the pump is working fine, lots of pressure.
There is still no steering though.
Is it a major fix to replace the rack?
I'm afraid it is and probably more than a backyard mechanic
could handle.
Thank you for your knowledge.
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Monday, May 10th, 2021 AT 3:56 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It is not that bad but you will need an alignment afterwards.

Here is the process from the manual that will help with this.

Take a look at this and let us know if you have questions.
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Monday, May 10th, 2021 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
We took out the pump and replaced it, taking a chance it was defective. The new pump worked, the power steering worked but there was a lot of squealing. The parts store said they would replace it again. Hoping to get a working pump with no squealing installed tomorrow. Thanks again.
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Well at least you are making progress with it so you know we are on the right path.

Please let us know how you make out when this gets replaced again. Thanks for the update.
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Thursday, May 13th, 2021 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
We've ordered a new pump, it will be in on Wednesday.
Fingers crossed!
Thank you!
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Friday, May 14th, 2021 AT 1:47 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds great. Thanks for the update. Thanks for using 2CarPros. Let us know when you get this one figured out. Thanks
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-1
Saturday, May 15th, 2021 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
We replaced the pump 5 times! Very aggravating.
Finally had the car towed to a mechanic.
$400.00 later, the car is fixed!
Thank you for your help!
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 2:00 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Unbelievable. That is a just poor quality control. More than likely they are parts returns that the company did not check properly and just put them back into circulation to be sold again.

Thanks for returning to update us. That is great info for others in the future. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
SHERRY LAMPHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
You have been wonderful to work with!
If only everyone had customer service that responded as quickly as you!
Thank you again!
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 AT 1:56 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Thank you for the kind words. Please let us know if there is anything else that we can help with and please come back in the future. Thanks
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 AT 7:33 PM

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