Power Steering fluid everywhere........

[skatedees]

So on my way to work my power steering took a shit and left a trail of oil from my house to my work. I haven't had a chance to find where it's leaking from, but my question is, Is power steering fluid universal? Can I just put any old fluid in there, or should I get factory fluid from Subaru?

Any comments are apreciated.
Thank you in advance.

[deadlydave]

Power steering fluid is power steering fluid. Any should work.

[skatedees]

Thank you. Good to know.

[Wiscon_Mark]

If you're having major leakage problems, you might want to check that out....

Try the Stopleak stuff, it works pretty well.

[Reason]

I look to see where the leak is first before you put any "stop leak " crap. You bottom out on anything? Maybe you snapped a line somewhere. Maybe a hose rot away, stop leak won't help that. Look to see what's the problem first.

[Hocrest]

All the Subaru's I have specify Dex III Auto Tranny Fluid for the steering system. Check the cap, it will tell you.

If you're leaking alot, I would first look for a blown hose. If the hose that's leaking has clamps on the ends, it is the low pressure line and you can use 3/8" Auto Tranny Cooler line, it can be bought by the foot at any parts store.

If it is the line with threaded pipe fitting on either end, it is the High pressure line. You can either get a new one from Subaru or take the hose off and take it to a nearby Hydraulic shop. They can rebuild it for less than 1/3 the price of a new one (at least that's how it works out $-wise for an SVX)

I've run my SVX with a dry system for a few days with no adverse effects to the rack or pump, but I know of others that have damaged a pump by running dry for a few hours :-?

If it is a minor leak up by the pump, there is an O-ring between the tank and the pump that dry-rots. Use a baster or pump to empty the tank than take it off. Take the O-ring to Napa and ask to see their box of O-Rings. Match it up and you're good to go :smile:

[skatedees]

*UPDATE*

It was a rusted, cracked, nasty looking line that came out of the center of my rack. Thankfully I got it off no problem and the new part is only $12.00 or so. I'll post up some pictures soon, as well as the part number. The picture that Subaru has doesn't show the lines very well, so I ordered the two that it could have been, and will be returning the one I don't need.
But mabey I should keep it. Who knows when the other one will start to leak. And it's only $12.00 bucks.