power steering is stiff upon start - ClubWRX Forum - Subaru Impreza WRX and STi Community and Forums

SmooveB · 12-30-2009, 09:53 AM

Hi all,

My power steering is stiff for the first minute or so after I start up my 02 WRX. It's so stiff I can barely pull out of a parking space. Then after driving for a short bit everything seems fine.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

EvoEatr · 01-01-2010, 02:44 PM

Have you had a recent cold spell when you just noticed this happening? How is the P/S fluid level/condition? How is the P/S/ALT drive belt tension/condition? How many miles are on the vehicle? Have you had any recent maintenance done to the vehicle? How does the rag-joint look on the steering shaft coming out of the fire wall /..rusty/seized?? You could try lubricating that a tad and see if it helps...Ive seen these get all "aged with rust/road grimed up"...

bugeye'03 · 01-02-2010, 10:20 AM

i have had the same problem but mine also squeals. i believe the belt needs to be tightened.
any thoughts, or if you agree maybe a short tutorial on how to do tighten

EvoEatr · 01-02-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugeye'03

i have had the same problem but mine also squeals. i believe the belt needs to be tightened.
any thoughts, or if you agree maybe a short tutorial on how to do tighten

Take a peek here on how to change/adjust the drive belts...Its much easier than me trying to explain it.... Impreza Manuals | ken-gilbert.com

4cyturbowrx · 01-03-2010, 05:03 AM

Make sure u buy a Subaru belt no aftermarket cheap one....

**mycologist** · 01-03-2010, 06:43 AM

This guy is directionally challenged so if you watch it reverse everything he says about clockwise or counterclockwise.

YouTube - WRX Belt install

EvoEatr · 01-03-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycologist

This guy is directionally challenged so if you watch it reverse everything he says about clockwise or counterclockwise.

YouTube - WRX Belt install

Good tutorial...man I really take it for granted using air tools/cordless impact to replace those things every day...

SmooveB · 01-04-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvoEatr

Have you had a recent cold spell when you just noticed this happening? How is the P/S fluid level/condition? How is the P/S/ALT drive belt tension/condition? How many miles are on the vehicle? Have you had any recent maintenance done to the vehicle? How does the rag-joint look on the steering shaft coming out of the fire wall /..rusty/seized?? You could try lubricating that a tad and see if it helps...Ive seen these get all "aged with rust/road grimed up"...

Yes it seems to be worse lately, tho not sure it's connected to the cold. This car's been through 8 winters and this is a new thing. The P/S fluid is okay. 75K miles on the car. I have no idea where or what the rag-joint is (not a mechanic here), so I can't answer that question. Thanks for the response.

EvoEatr · 01-04-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmooveB

Yes it seems to be worse lately, tho not sure it's connected to the cold. This car's been through 8 winters and this is a new thing. The P/S fluid is okay. 75K miles on the car. I have no idea where or what the rag-joint is (not a mechanic here), so I can't answer that question. Thanks for the response.

The only reason I mention the cold weather is because I drive Subarus all day long...and when I hop in even the newer ones and its bone chilling cold ( around 15 F ) the steering is a tad odd for the first maybe 30 seconds or so until things get moving...

Micah · 01-04-2010, 05:15 PM

Mine has done this for the last two winters, but it never lasts longer than the first time I turn the wheel. If I let the car warm up or give the throttle a little nudge while turning the wheel it seems to go away. There is no squeal noise when this happens for me so I do not believe it is an issue with a lose belt. I have not checked the Fluid, but haven't seen any leaks. I figured it is probably the power steering pump getting older and not having the fluid moving around as quickly as it used to on a cold start.

ssuing8825 · 01-05-2010, 01:56 PM

My 02 wrx is doing the exact same thing. I do hear a belt squeal though. I have 77k miles on it and just had service done on it.

12-30-2009, 09:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
SmooveB Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7	power steering is stiff upon start Hi all, My power steering is stiff for the first minute or so after I start up my 02 WRX. It's so stiff I can barely pull out of a parking space. Then after driving for a short bit everything seems fine. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

01-02-2010, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
bugeye'03 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2	same i have had the same problem but mine also squeals. i believe the belt needs to be tightened. any thoughts, or if you agree maybe a short tutorial on how to do tighten

01-03-2010, 06:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
mycologist The Mushroom Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The High Country Posts: 5,764	This guy is directionally challenged so if you watch it reverse everything he says about clockwise or counterclockwise. YouTube - WRX Belt install __________________ "From a little spark may burst a mighty flame." - Dante "The stitch is lost unless the thread is knotted." - Italian proverb

01-04-2010, 05:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Micah Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ocean Grove, NJ Posts: 4,081	Mine has done this for the last two winters, but it never lasts longer than the first time I turn the wheel. If I let the car warm up or give the throttle a little nudge while turning the wheel it seems to go away. There is no squeal noise when this happens for me so I do not believe it is an issue with a lose belt. I have not checked the Fluid, but haven't seen any leaks. I figured it is probably the power steering pump getting older and not having the fluid moving around as quickly as it used to on a cold start. __________________ Torch Red 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 46k mi. Black 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX 6-speed 94k mi. my mod list 10/08/2006 - 14.089@103.01 (5-speed with well worn clutch, no launch) "Six stars gleaming, five speeds breaking, four tires chirping, three differentials working, two liters screaming, one turbo boosting... it's what makes a Subaru all-wheel-drive, all we'll drive." for Bugeye owners my BOV thread Service Manuals

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01-01-2010, 02:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
EvoEatr Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,254	Have you had a recent cold spell when you just noticed this happening? How is the P/S fluid level/condition? How is the P/S/ALT drive belt tension/condition? How many miles are on the vehicle? Have you had any recent maintenance done to the vehicle? How does the rag-joint look on the steering shaft coming out of the fire wall /..rusty/seized?? You could try lubricating that a tad and see if it helps...Ive seen these get all "aged with rust/road grimed up"...

01-03-2010, 05:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
4cyturbowrx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: philly Posts: 742	Make sure u buy a Subaru belt no aftermarket cheap one....

01-05-2010, 01:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
ssuing8825 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1	My 02 wrx is doing the exact same thing. I do hear a belt squeal though. I have 77k miles on it and just had service done on it.

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