06 Forester - Power Steering Pump Fix

Had enough of this sick power steering pump. Decided to fix it and clean up the area
O-Ring part number from Subaru - 34439AE021
2006 Subaru Forester

[@62Cristoforo]

ATF fluid around the reservoir suggest an overflow. The overflow is usually caused by expansion of air bubbles entrained within the oil itself. The oil doesn’t expand; the air in it does. This creates foamy oil, causing it to boil over. Air gets in to the system through leaks. Most leaks are from worn/crushed/failed O-rings, locates either at the pump, or at the rack. The oil leaks out, and air gets in. Make sure you replace the O-rings with the EXACT size. Oversized O-rings, even by hundredths of an inch, will not fit, risking a cracked hose-to pump fitting when tightening down the bolt.

[@Booyamakashi]

Thank you. Ive been chasing this noise in my forester and i almost replaced the whole pump because im not sure whats wrong. Ill do more diagnosing.

[@themocerperlerp2347]

Thanks so much for this video. I have an 06 forester 2.5X and this might be my solution

[@ddiaz883]

Great and thorough explanation of the process,thanks

[@toolshedadventures]

Glad to help 🙂

[@kylependleton1987]

southern maine guy here 35Year old.. owned 5 subarus from 99 outback to 06 outback and 01 h6 outback.. now own a 2.5 tuned 04 forester 350 hpdyno tuned beautifuly with IAG block.. still have done this oring replacement on my h6 aand my beautiful 04 with a napa crappah powersteering pump replacement. alwasy go with oem subaru parts.. but they will all require these gaskets after sitting or at least 10 years on the oem power steering pumps

[@62Cristoforo]

Power steering pump O-ring for a 2005 Forester: Part number: 34439AE021

[@jasonbarnes2636]

Does the 2011-2012 Subaru Forester have an Electronic Power Steering that doesn’t have Power Steering Fluid Reservoir? Mine doesn’t have one.

[@JUMBOpin]

I have to do this plus install a new rack. I'm not too thrilled about going through the whole ordeal. Lots of banging when I turn the wheel 😕

[@62Cristoforo]

If oil is leaking out it also means air is getting in. If air gets in it will foam and expand and overflow out of the reservoir.

[@FC-np9tj]

Great video, thank you very much. Quick question tho, my 2011 forester makes the same whinny noise as yours but only when I turn the steering wheel all the way left or right. What could that be? After everything you changed in the video it still had that noise. Does that mean it’s the pump?

[@toolshedadventures]

Make sure you do a good lock to lock bleed for a few mins with both front wheels of the ground and the car not running. You may have trapped air but if not then yeah you could be looking at a failed pump 😕

[@mickrichBMXWRXJapan]

I have a similar-sounding problem on my '05 Impreza, so I now know what I'll be doing next weekend!! 👍 Out of curiosity, what degreaser did you use for cleaning away all of the oil and crap under the reservoir?

[@toolshedadventures]

I just a lot of good heavy duty brake cleaner and a lot of rags. Unfortunately there is just no easy way to clean it. With that said brake clean can be hard on paint so if you care about your paint you could look at something like simple green or purple power and dilute it

[@mickrichBMXWRXJapan]

@@toolshedadventures Thanks for the reply and recommendation. 👍

[@mickrichBMXWRXJapan]

Quick update:- a new O-ring did the trick! The engine is now much quieter, which is great. Not so good is that I now have a bit of steering judder at low turning speeds. The upper reservoir hose was quite hard and I haven't changed the fluid yet, so maybe doing those will be next on the list. In any case, thanks again for the video.

[@kilgoreb1999]

Hello quick question I related to the first half of your video and found out my pump lines are old causing air to get into the hydraulic power steering. I'm not sure if my reservoir is also leaking but your immediate pump area was oily like mine and I was wondering If you actually needed to replace it aswell because you never mention weather or not you did. I don't wanna buy one if I don't need it

[@toolshedadventures]

At the time of the video I did not change the reservoir. But I have noticed recently that it's a bit wet under it so I am thinking it may have a seeping issue. Because the reservoir is so easy to get at and replace, there are plans to do so. So if you have the means I would suggest doing it

[@kilgoreb1999]

@@toolshedadventures thank you

[@clarkgriswold4057]

Man this is giving me a headache. I recently installed a new power steering pump on my 04 Legacy. Turning is better initially, but the more sharp turns I make, the more the steering wheel gets stiffer. I popped the hood and realized there's a pool of steering fluid that's leaking from the top of the new steering pump. Does anyone have any ideas of what I could try next?

[@toolshedadventures]

If the leak is from the top of the pump then I would be looking at the hoses or o-rings

[@de67ville]

Could I just add an extension to the return line. Cap the reservoir return feed and dump new atf while it's running? That's what I'm gonna try tonight. Wife's 06 xt

[@toolshedadventures]

You could. Just remember if you remove the cap to ensure there is no fluid in the res or you may have a mess

[@MrMasterFlash]

I was thinking of rebuilding my power steering pump. the kit is just o rings and seals. What else goes wrong with them?

[@toolshedadventures]

Generally that is all that is needed. They generally only fail due to lack of fluid or contaminates introduced

[@DanTheManIOM]

mine was stiff and I got some noise at certain rpm, but tonight, while pulling into the driveway, power steering failed, 03 Forester.

[@toolshedadventures]

Yah they can make noise for awhile but eventually it can cause a major failure.

[@_PARADOX_Fy]

Question: my power steering is making noise only when cold side to side then it goes away … it all started when I replaced the belt & alternator?

[@toolshedadventures]

Could either be non-related or the belt maybe loose or worn out. If you don't know the last time they were changed they are cheap to replace

[@_PARADOX_Fy]

The belt is new 1 week old alternator 1 week old . That’s when it started doing it when I replaced the belt and alternator

[@toolshedadventures]

There are two belts.. One for the alternator and one for the power steering pump. I was referring to the power steering pump one to replace. The other thing you can do is remove the power steering belt and see if the noise still happens. If it does then you know there is an issue with the pump whether it be the o-ring situation or the pump itself.

[@BigChungo9604]

Can this leak cause the car to smoke a little after driving. I have this noise too and the steering feels dry and stuff and makes a noise when I turned the wheel all the way to either side.

[@BigChungo9604]

My hoses are fine the last time I checked too and I had already replaced one

[@toolshedadventures]

Yes because the exhaust is very close to if fluid drips on to it, you will get smoke.

[@toolshedadventures]

If you replaces the o-ring and hoses it maybe time for a new pump.

[@bitchplease1114]

16:38 that was funny =))

[@toolshedadventures]

Definitely a face palming moment for sure

[@HawkGTboy]

Why would you ever go through all this effort only to put used parts in your car? Spend a few bucks and get brand new parts.

[@toolshedadventures]

Canadians don't get the joy of "a few bucks" when it comes to parts. So sometimes used parts are just as good as new and will last just as long.

[@kylependleton1987]

if you ave to ask... you will never undertsand subarus haha

[@toolshedadventures]

Subarus are the poor person exotic

[@HawkGTboy]

@@kylependleton1987 I understand plenty, I’m just saying that my time is valuable. If I’m going to get my tools out and get to work on a car I’m not going to install used parts.

[@kylependleton1987]

@@toolshedadventures subarus are cheaper porshes!!😎