Power steering pump noise, always back after temporary fix

[Raff]

Hi all!

The power steering pump on my new Legacy was whiny. I checked the fluid and found it being brownish, probably it had never been changed (115,000km).

So about a month and a half ago I flushed the circuit at home with about one liter of new ATF Dexron III from the shop. I did it by disconnecting the return hose and collecting the waste fluid in a tank while feeding new red ATF in the reservoir. I got rid of the air in the circuit and took it for a ride, then my pump settled smooth.. I was happy, but a few days after, it was back noisy.

2 weeks ago I decided to flush more fluid, so I did, about 1.5 liters more, steering the wheel all the way left and right a few times during the flush, so that most of the fluid left in the steering box got out. Then the pump ran smoothly once more.

But guess what.. few days after.. whining again. Looks like there are no bubbles in the reservoir, so I doubt that the pump is sucking air in from somewhere. The fluid looks red and clean, filled up at the proper level. I have no leakage from anywhere.

The belt looks good tension as well. The shroud has enough slack on the pump as it should be (I found this video very interesting

).

Could be just the pump a bit worn? Any suggestion?

Thank you!

[DRFVDR]

pump is buggered

[Raff]

Thank you.

Do pumps usually have sudden breakdown? Or somehow they "alert you" with louder noise/stiff steering, in time for replacement?

Do you reckon it can possibly last for a few more thousand km? The steering wheel is not stiff, and the noise is not that terrible, but I can definitely distinguish that sort of shrill mooing, especially when I bring up the engine rpms.

Thank you again

[Marky]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/subaru/engines/auction-775189525.htm

Plan on replacing it before it sh!ts itself at the worst moment

It'll rip your undies if it siezes and snaps the belt OR just dies and becomes a pain when you least need that to happen

[Raff]

Yeah right, sounds like a plan

Thank you!