Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSSUBARU1998FORESTER L, STANDARDREPAIR AND DIAGNOSIS (SINGLE PAGE)STEERINGPOWER STEERINGSTEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINIONOVERHAULSTEERING GEARPRE-DISASSEMBLY INSPECTION
1998 Subaru Forester L, Standard
Pre-Disassembly Inspection
1998 Subaru Forester L, StandardSECTION Pre-Disassembly Inspection
- Mount steering gear in Stand (926200000). Mount dial indicator on top pinion shaft. Check axial play of shaft. Movement should be .004" (.10 mm) or less. Check pinion shaft play in radial direction. Movement should be .007" (.18 mm) or less.
- Remove outer tie rod ends. Remove rack bellows boots. Using punch, straighten lock washer on inner tie rod end. Remove inner tie rod ends. Check rack shaft sliding resistance using spring/tension gauge. Pressing gauge against end of rack, sliding resistance should not exceed 54 lbs. (24.5 kg) for Impreza and Legacy and not exceed 68.4 lbs. (31.0) for forester.
- Remove rack adjusting screw. Using a dial indicator mounted within .20" (5 mm) of end of rack housing, check rack shaft radial play. With about 22 lbs. (98 N) of force applied, right turn steering radial play should be .006" (.15 mm) or less.
- With about 22 lbs. (98 N) of force applied, left turn steering radial play should be .006" (.15 mm) or less side-to-side and .012" (.30 mm) or less when moved up and down.
- Check pinion gear turning resistance using spring/tension gauge and Spanner (926230000). See Figure . Place spanner on pinion shaft and pull in rotating direction. Measure with pinion shaft within 1.18" (30 mm) from rack center. Turning resistance should be 2.51 lbs. (1.14 kg). Maximum resistance is 2.90 lbs. (1.3 kg).
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.