I changed out the PS fluid last night...pretty easy with two people. The reservoir sucks because that small fill hole doesn't make it easy to evacuate the fluid even if you wanted.

I decided on the Schaeffer SAT because its served me well in other applications, its well respected on the oil forums. I've been running it in the PS and AT of my 97 OBW for a while now.

Tracing the return line from the reservoir, I disconnected the return line at the end of the metal line (not the reservoir itself) coming up from the rack to provide me a nipple to hook to. I then hooked a piece of 3/8" (clear, opaque) tubing to that and ran it into a pan on the floor.

I vacuumed out the reservoir, then filled it to the top with fresh ATF (again, I used Schaeffer Supreme ATF). Had the wife cycle the ignition (start the car and immediately shut it off) a few times, each time it would suck the fluid out faster than I could add it to the reservoir. Each time I would refill to the top and repeat the process. I did this until it started showing fresh fluid at the clear tubing. I did get some air, which made the pump whine for a second, but once that cleared; everything acted normal.

Reconnected the return line, filled to level, turned the wheels lock to lock, and took it for a test drive...everything acts normal, in fact the wife says it actually feels different?

Once she returned from the test drive, I checked it again...the bright red fluid wasn't as bright, but it was still red. I figure there is a lot of fluid down in the rack that needs circulated out. I will probably flush the system again tonight or this weekend and then again next week get the maximum benefit.

It takes a little more than a quart to flush the system this way...a lot less than I figured. And that's including the fresh fluid that gets pumped into the drain pan during the process. If anyone would like pictures of what I did, let me know and I will get them tonight.

I think I will see about getting a replacement return line, and then cut it up for the filter...then if I screw that up, not a big deal.

 

I did another flush tonight. Fluid stayed bright red this time. I also installed a Magnefine on the return line...there is a place on the return line that is perfect to install it, looks like its OE installed.

I almost wonder what they used to refill the PS system when the engine was replaced? Bulk ATF? AFT-HP? ATF? This is what I think caused the problem in the first place.

 

just to tack on to this thread:

I would highly recommend using Subaru ATF-HP fluid in the power steering system as recommended by the manual.

I had an extra qt of Mobil1 synthetic ATF in the garage because its what I've always used in all my cars for power steering fluid. Bad idea in the scoobie. When I finally got the pump to quit making noise, the steering had the worst shudder I've ever felt. I immediately went to the dealer and got some ATF-HP, flushed out the Mobil1 and put in the correct fluid, and everything is good as new.

And FYI - out of all the cars I've worked on, the forester is the easiest to flush the PS fluid.

 

Resurrecting this one....sdeeter19555...do you have those pics of how you flushed your PS system?

Thanks!

 

I used Subaru turkey baster method until I had gone thru a qt. of ATF-HP.

 

Easiest and best way out there. Not messy either.

Suck out old fluid, put in new, start car and turn from lock to lock several times, shut off, and repeat a few times.

 

That was my plan, if I dis not hear any other way. Will be doing ATF change n power steering flush this week

Cheers!!

 

Flushing is easy on the 09...trace the return line from the reservoir back to the steel line, disconnect the return line at the steel line, add a length of rubber hose to get into a container, bump the starter...the engine doesn't hardly start and you will need to shut it off. Fill the reservoir, repeat....not messy, and you are sure to get almost all the old fluid out.

If your fluid isn't bad and simply needs "refreshed", then the baster method works fine. But my fluid was ugly to say the least (as in almost black) and a complete flush was required.

I have 52k on the clock right now, and the fluid is still bright pink, the PS pump is absolutely silent, and the steering works flawlessly. I have not touched it since I flushed it at 35k. I used Schaeffer Supreme Automatic Transmission (SAT) fluid, which is synthetic. Remember, its a pump, not a transmission; so its nowhere near as finicky as the transmission.

Further, I added a Magnefine inline filter (you can get these online for around $15 or at Napa). Simple cut a section out of the rubber return line (the one you pull for the flush) and insert the filter. It looks like it was factory.

 

My fluid was not bad at all....a bit dark, but not completely. Smelled OK, too. I did 5 suck-outs and refills. Easy as pie

Next time, I will do a total flush.

Thanks for the info.

Cheers!