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.
2008 Subaru Outback Base, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Power Steering System: General Description: Specification
SPECIFICATION CHART
| Model | OUTBACK except for 3.0 R | OUTBACK 3.0 R | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole system | Minimum turning radius | m (ft) | Excluding 2.5 GT spec. B: 5.4 (17.8) 2.5 GT spec. B: 5.8 (19) | |
| Steering angle | Inner wheel | Excluding 2.5 GT spec. B: 37.6°±1.5° 2.5 GT spec. B: 33.8°+1.5° | ||
| Outer wheel | Excluding 2.5 GT spec. B: 33.0°±1.5° 2.5 GT spec. B:30.2°±1.5° | |||
| Steering wheel diameter | mm (in) | 375 (14.76) | ||
| Lock to lock turn | Excluding 2.5 GT: 3.2, 2.5 GT: 2.8 | |||
| Gearbox | Type | Rack and Pinion, Integral | ||
| Backlash | 0 (Automatic adjusting) | |||
| Valve (Power steering system) | Rotary valve | |||
| Pump (Power steering system) | Type | Vane pump | ||
| Oil tank | Installed on body | |||
| Specific output | cm3 (cu in)/rev. | 8.5 (0.519) | 9.6 (0.586) | |
| Relief pressure | kPa (kg/cm2 , psi) | 7,350 - 8,050 (75 - 82,1,067-1,167) | 8,300 - 9,000 (85 - 92,1,204-1,305) | |
| Hydraulic fluid control | Engine speed sensitive | |||
| Hydraulic fluid | l (USqt, lmp qt) | 1,000 rpm: 6.15 (6.5, 5.4) 3,000 rpm: 5.5 (5.8, 4.8) | 1,000 rpm: 6.5 (6.9, 5.7) 3,000 rpm: 5.5 (5.8, 4.8) | |
| RPM range | rpm | 680 - 9,600 | ||
| Direction of rotation | Clockwise | |||
| Hydraulic oil (Power steering system) | Description | ATF DEXRON III or equivalent | ||
| Capacity l (US qt, lmp qt) | Oil tank | 0.2 (0.2, 0.2) | ||
| Whole system | 0.7 (0.7, 0.6) | |||
SPECIFICATION CHART
| Steering wheel | Free play | mm (in) | 17(0.67) | |
| Steering shaft | Clearance between the steering wheel and column cover | mm (in) | 3.0 (0.12) | |
| Steering gearbox (Power steering system) | Rack shaft play in the radial direction | Right-turn steering | mm (in) | 0.12 (0.005) or less |
| Input shaft play | In radial direction | mm (in) | 0.26 (0.01) or less | |
| In axial direction | mm (in) | Without play | ||
| Rotation resistance | N (kgf, lb) | Maximum allowable value: 11.3 (1.15, 2.54) or less Difference between right and left sliding resistance: 24% or less |
||
| Oil pump (Power steering system) | Pulley shaft | Radial play | mm (in) | 0.4 (0.016) or less |
| Axial play | mm (in) | 0.9 (0.035) or less | ||
| Pulley | Ditch deflection | mm (in) | 1.0 (0.039) or less | |
| Rotation resistance | N (kgf, lb) | 9.22 (0.94, 2.07) or less | ||
| Regular pressure (Unloaded) | kPa (kg/cm2 , psi) | 981(10,142) or less | ||
| Steering wheel effort (Power steering system) | At standstill with engine idling on paved road | N (kgf, lb) | 29.4 (3.0, 6.6) or less | |
| At standstill with engine stalled on paved road | N (kgf, lb) | 294.2 (30, 66.2) or less | ||
POWER STEERING FLUID SPECIFICATION
| Recommended power steering fluid | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| ATF DEXRON III or equivalent | B.R |
| CALXEX | |
| CASTROL | |
| MOBIL | |
| SHELL | |
| TEXACO |
Factory Service Tools
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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.
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