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Contents Section: Power Steering System All sections

REPLACEMENT Subaru Impreza WRX STI GR

Power Steering System ~289 words

REPLACEMENT

  1. Lift up 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. Continue to turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock until the bubbles stop appearing on oil surface while keeping the fluid at the level in the Step 4).
  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 for about half an hour and then repeat from step 4 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 perform step 8) to 11) again. The fluid level changes by 3 mm (0.12 in) or more. Bubbles remain on the upper surface of the fluid. Grinding noise is generated from oil pump.
  13. Check the fluid leakage after turning steering wheel from lock to lock with engine running.
TroublePossible causeCorrective action
Steering effort is heavy in all ranges. Steering effort is heavy at stand still. Steering wheel vibrates when turning.1. Pulley belt Unequal length of pulley belts Contact with oil or grease Looseness or damage of the pulley belt Poor uniformity of the pulley belt cross section Pulley belt touches to pulley bottom Poor revolution of pulleys (except oil pump pulley) Poor revolution of oil pump pulleyAdjust or replace.
2. Tire and wheel Improper tire out of specifications (1) Improper wheel out of specifications (1) Tires not properly inflatedReplace or reinflate.
3. Fluid Low fluid level Air entry in fluid Dust entry in fluid Fluid deterioration Inadequate warm up of fluid (2)Refill, bleed air, replace or instruct customer.
4. Idle speed Lower idle speed Excessive drop of idle speed at start or when turning the steering wheel (3)Adjust or instruct customer.
5. Measure the hydraulic pressure. Ref. to INSPECTION , Oil Pump.Replace the problem parts.
6. Measure the steering wheel effort. Ref. to MEASUREMENT OF STEERING EFFORT , INSPECTION, General Diagnostic Table.Adjust or replace.
Vehicle leads to one side or the other. Returning force of steering wheel to center is poor. Steering wheel vibrates when turning.1. Fluid line Folded hose Flattened pipeRepair or replace.
2. Tire and wheel Flat tire Mixed use of different tires Mixed use of different wheels Abnormal wear of tire Unequal tread remaining Unequal pressure of tireAdjust, fix or replace.
3. Front alignment Improper or unequal caster Improper or unequal toe-in Loose suspension connectionsAdjust or retighten.
4. Others Damaged joint assembly Unbalanced height Unbalanced weightReplace, adjust or instruct customer.
5. Measure the steering wheel effort. Ref. to MEASUREMENT OF STEERING EFFORT , INSPECTION, General Diagnostic Table.Adjust or replace.
(1) If the tires or wheels are wider than standard, the load to power steering system is increased. Accordingly, in a condition, for example before fluid warms-up, relief valve may work before reaching maximum turning angle. In this case, steering effort may be heavy. When the measured hydraulic pressure is normal, there is no abnormal thing. (2) In cold weather, steering effort may be heavy due to increased flow resistance of cold fluid. After warming-up engine, turn the steering wheel from stop to stop several times to warm up fluid. If steering effort reduces normally, function is normal. (3) In cold weather or with insufficient warm up of the engine, steering effort may be heavy due to excessive drop of idling when turning the steering wheel. In this case, start the vehicle with increasing engine speed than usual. If steering effort reduces normally, function is normal.
(1)If the tires or wheels are wider than standard, the load to power steering system is increased. Accordingly, in a condition, for example before fluid warms-up, relief valve may work before reaching maximum turning angle. In this case, steering effort may be heavy. When the measured hydraulic pressure is normal, there is no abnormal thing.
(2)In cold weather, steering effort may be heavy due to increased flow resistance of cold fluid. After warming-up engine, turn the steering wheel from stop to stop several times to warm up fluid. If steering effort reduces normally, function is normal.
(3)In cold weather or with insufficient warm up of the engine, steering effort may be heavy due to excessive drop of idling when turning the steering wheel. In this case, start the vehicle with increasing engine speed than usual. If steering effort reduces normally, function is normal.

GENERAL DIAGNOSTIC CHART