Subaru steering play service inspection

[@mindlessftw]

Great video! I just bought a salvage wrx and I'm starting to diagnose the steering shake and steering play! Now I know how to check.

[@SubieSpecs]

Steering shake is usually warped brane rotors, if it happens mainly under braking. If it happens at speed its more likely wheel balance. If it happens while parked, its normally power steering pump/fluid level

[@mindlessftw]

@@SubieSpecs thank you. Most likely wheel balance as the car had a broke shock from accident. And it's at speed. I'm hoping to try and repair what I can before taking it to shop.

[@churchofseabass9227]

I got under mine today, its a 2015 crosstrek with electronic steering, found that if I push on one wheel at 9-3 o'clock, it will wiggle like bad tie rods, however the opposite wheel also will wiggle at the same time. Hoping it's just a bushing holding the steering rack but i'm afraid the whole rack is bad. Seems the rack should lock and have no play when the vehicle is off.

[@SubieSpecs]

What you are looking for when looking for play in the rack mounting, is not for movement in the wheels, there will always be some movement with the wheels themselves against the steering lock. What you are looking for is movement of the rack itself, relative to the subframe. Those late model racks have a superior mounting setup to the old rack in the vid, and actual play in the rack mounting on them is very rare compared. When looking for play in the tie rods, you’re going by feel, and listening for the little tick tick of it’s play, it’s not a visual inspection for them. It takes some time to master these inspections, the cues can be very very subtle! Hope this helps.