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.
2012 Subaru Outback Base, Standard TransFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Section 43 (Power Steering System): General Description: Specification
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Subaru Tribeca. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
| Whole system | Minimum turning radius | m (ft) | 5.7 (18.7) |
| Steering angle | Inner wheel | 37.0°±1.5° | |
| Outer wheel | 32.0°±1.5 | ||
| Steering wheel diameter | mm (in) | 375 (14.76) | |
| Lock to lock turn | 3.44 | ||
| 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. | 9.6 (0.586) | |
| Relief pressure | kPa (kg/cm2 , psi) | 8, 800 - 9, 400 (90 - 96, 1, 276 - 1, 363) | |
| Hydraulic fluid control | Engine speed sensitive | ||
| Hydraulic fluid | l (US qt, lmp qt) | 1, 000 RPM: 7.0 (7.4, 6.2) 3, 000 RPM: 6.0 (6.3, 5.3) | |
| RPM range | RPM | 500 - 8, 600 | |
| Direction of rotation | Clockwise | ||
| Hydraulic oil (Power steering system) | Capacity l 2 (US qt, lmp qt) | Oil tank | 0.2 (0.2, 0.2) |
| Whole system | 0.9 (1.0, 0.8) | ||
| 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) | Sliding resistance | N (kgf, lb) | 343 (35, 77) or less Difference between right and left sliding resistance: 20% or less | |
| Rack shaft play in the radial direction | Right-turn steering | mm (in) | 0.4 (0.016) or less | |
| Left-turn steering | mm (in) | Play in the horizontal direction: 0.6 (0.024) or less Play in the vertical direction: 0.4 (0.016) or less | ||
| Input shaft play | In radial direction | mm (in) | 0.26 (0.0102) or less | |
| In axial direction | mm (in) | Without play | ||
| Rotation resistance | N (kgf, lb) | Maximum allowable value: 10.5 (1.07, 2.36) or less Difference between right and left sliding resistance: 20% or less |
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| Oil pump (Power steering system) | Pulley shaft | Radial play | mm (in) | 0.2 (0.008) or less |
| Axial play | mm (in) | 0.6 (0.024) 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 | ||
| Recommended power steering fluid |
|---|
| SUBARU ATF or ATF DEXRON III |
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.