🔧 Power Steering Pump - Replacement

This job replaces the hydraulic power steering pump on your Outback. The pump creates the fluid pressure that makes steering easy, so a failing pump can cause whining noise, heavy steering, leaks, or foamy fluid.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work only with the engine completely cool to avoid burns from nearby exhaust and engine parts.
• ⚠️ Power steering fluid is slippery and flammable. Wipe spills immediately and keep it off belts, pulleys, and hot parts.
• ⚠️ Never run the engine with fingers, clothing, or tools near the serpentine belt or pulleys.
• ⚠️ Use eye protection because fluid can spray when hoses are removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this repair, but keep the key out of the ignition while working near the belt.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 12mm wrench
• 14mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hose pinch-off pliers (specialty)
• Drain pan
• Turkey baster or fluid syringe
• Shop towels
• Fender cover
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Power steering pump - Qty: 1
• Power steering pump O-ring kit - Qty: 1
• Power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid meeting Subaru specification - Qty: 2 quarts
• Power steering hose clamps - Qty: 2
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Outback on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧊 Let the engine cool fully before touching hoses or the pump.
• 🧽 Clean the area around the power steering pump cap and hoses with shop towels so dirt does not enter the system.
• 📌 Place a fender cover over the passenger-side front fender to protect paint while you lean over the engine bay.
• 💡 A hose pinch-off plier gently squeezes a rubber hose closed to reduce fluid loss without damaging the hose.
• 💡 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove Fluid From Reservoir

• Open the hood and locate the power steering fluid reservoir at the front of the engine near the pump.
• Use a turkey baster or fluid syringe to remove as much old fluid as possible from the reservoir.
• Drain the fluid into a drain pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe the reservoir cap and surrounding area clean.
• Less fluid now means less mess later.

Step 2: Loosen The Serpentine Belt

• Locate the serpentine belt at the front of the engine. This belt drives the power steering pump and other accessories.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet on the belt tensioner pulley bolt.
• Rotate the tensioner slowly to release belt tension.
• Slide the belt off the power steering pump pulley by hand.
• If replacing the belt, remove it fully from all pulleys and note the belt routing before removal.
• Take a photo before removing the belt.

Step 3: Disconnect The Return Hose

• Place a drain pan under the power steering pump area.
• Use hose pinch-off pliers on the low-pressure return hose to reduce fluid loss.
• Use pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver to move the hose clamp away from the pump fitting.
• Twist the hose gently by hand to break it loose.
• Pull the hose off the pump fitting and let remaining fluid drain into the pan.
• Plug the hose end with a clean shop towel to keep dirt out.

Step 4: Disconnect The High-Pressure Line

• Locate the metal high-pressure line attached to the power steering pump.
• Use a 19mm wrench to loosen the high-pressure line fitting.
• Hold the line steady while loosening so the metal tube does not bend.
• Remove the fitting by hand once loose.
• Remove and discard the old sealing O-ring if equipped on the fitting.
• Cover the open line with a clean shop towel.

Step 5: Remove Pump Mounting Bolts

• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the front power steering pump mounting bolts.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove any larger rear or bracket bolts holding the pump to the engine bracket.
• Support the pump with one hand while removing the final bolt.
• Lift the pump out of the engine bay carefully.
• If a bracket must be transferred, use a 12mm socket to remove it from the old pump.

Step 6: Transfer Brackets And Pulley If Needed

• Compare the old pump and new pump side by side.
• If the mounting bracket is not included on the new pump, use a 12mm socket to transfer the bracket from the old pump to the new one.
• If your replacement pump does not include a pulley, use the correct pulley service tool from the pump supplier. Do not hammer the pulley on or off.
• Install transferred bracket bolts with a 12mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs) unless the replacement pump instructions specify otherwise.

Step 7: Install The New Pump

• Lower the new power steering pump into position by hand.
• Start all mounting bolts by hand first to prevent cross-threading.
• Use a 12mm socket and 14mm socket to snug the pump mounting bolts.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the smaller pump bolts.
• Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs)
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten larger bracket bolts if removed.
• Torque to 33 Nm (24 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Reconnect The High-Pressure Line

• Install the new O-ring from the power steering pump O-ring kit on the pressure fitting.
• Lightly wet the O-ring with clean power steering fluid using a gloved finger.
• Thread the high-pressure line fitting into the pump by hand.
• Use a 19mm wrench to tighten the fitting.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)
• Do not overtighten the fitting because the aluminum pump housing can be damaged.

Step 9: Reconnect The Return Hose

• Remove the shop towel from the return hose.
• Slide the hose fully onto the pump fitting by hand.
• Install a new hose clamp if the old clamp is weak or rusty.
• Use pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver to position the clamp behind the raised bead on the pump fitting.
• Remove the hose pinch-off pliers.

Step 10: Reinstall The Serpentine Belt

• Route the serpentine belt over the pulleys using your routing photo.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to rotate the belt tensioner.
• Slide the belt onto the power steering pump pulley by hand.
• Slowly release the tensioner.
• Check that the belt ribs are fully seated in every pulley groove.
• A mis-seated belt can shred quickly.

Step 11: Refill The Reservoir

• Use clean power steering fluid or Subaru-approved automatic transmission fluid and fill the reservoir to the cold mark.
• Keep the cap off for the bleeding step.
• Use shop towels to wipe spilled fluid from the pump, hoses, belt area, and frame rail.

Step 12: Bleed Air From The System

• With the engine off, slowly turn the steering wheel from full left to full right 10 times.
• Do not hold the wheel hard against the stops.
• Check the reservoir level and add fluid as needed.
• Start the engine and let it idle.
• Use safety glasses and watch the reservoir. Foamy fluid means air is still present.
• Slowly turn the steering wheel left and right several more times.
• Shut the engine off and recheck the fluid level.
• Repeat until the fluid is clear, quiet, and no longer foamy.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and listen for whining, squealing, or grinding from the pump area.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel slowly in both directions and confirm assist feels smooth.
• ✅ Inspect the high-pressure fitting, return hose, and pump body for leaks.
• ✅ Recheck the serpentine belt alignment with a flashlight.
• ✅ Road test your Outback at low speed first, then recheck the fluid level after the test drive.
• ✅ If fluid looks foamy after several bleed cycles, shut the engine off and let the vehicle sit 20-30 minutes before bleeding again.
• ♻️ Dispose of old power steering fluid properly at a recycling center or parts store that accepts used fluids.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$950 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $370-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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