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
Power Assisted System Power Steering: General Description: Specification
| Model | H4 non-turbo model | H6, H4 turbo model | |||
| Whole system | Minimum turning radius | m (ft) | 5.6 (18.4) | ||
| Steering angle | Inner wheel | 225/50R17 tire: 37.4°±1.5° 225/45R18 tire : 37.4°±1.5° 215/50R17 tire: 37.6°±1.5° 205/60R16 tire: 37.6°±1.5° 225/60R17 tire: 38.4°±1.5° 215/70R16 tire: 38.4°±1.5° |
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| Outer wheel | 225/50R17 tire: 33.0°±1.5° 225/45R18 tire : 33.0°±1.5° 215/50R17 tire: 33.3°±1.5° 205/60R16 tire: 33.3°±1.5° 225/60R17 tire: 34.1°±1.5° 215/70R16 tire: 34.1°±1.5° |
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| Steering wheel diameter | mm (in) | 375 (14.76) | |||
| Lock-to-lock revolution number | OUTBACK: 3.2 Except for OUT BACK: 2.8 |
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| 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) | 8.5 (0.519) | ||
| Relief pressure | kPa (kgf/cm3 , psi) | 8, 300 - 9, 000 (85 - 92, 1, 203 - 1, 305) | 8, 900 - 9, 600 (91 - 98, 1, 290 - 1, 392) | ||
| Hydraulic fluid control | Engine speed sensitive | ||||
| Hydraulic fluid | l (US qt, Imp qt) | 1, 000 RPM: 6.5 (6.9, 5.7) 3, 000 RPM: 5.3 (5.6, 4.7) |
1, 000 RPM: 6.8 (7.2, 6) 3, 000 RPM: 5.8 (6.1, 5.1) |
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| RPM range | RPM | 500 - 9, 600 | 670 - 9, 869 | ||
| Direction of rotation | Clockwise | ||||
| Hydraulic oil (Power steering system) | Capacity l (US qt, Imp qt) | Oil tank | 0.2 (0.2, 0.2) | ||
| Whole system | 0.7 (0.7, 0.6) | ||||
| Steering wheel | Free play | mm (in) | 17 (0.67) | |
| Steering shaft | Clearance between the steering wheel and column cover | mm (in) | 2 - 4 (0.08 - 0.16) | |
| Steering gearbox (Power steering system) | Sliding resistance | N (kgf, lbf) | 314 (32, 71) or less Difference between right and left sliding resistance: 20% | |
| Rack shaft play in the radial direction | Right-turn steering | mm (in) | Horizontal play: 0.6 (0.024) or less Vertical play: 0.4 (0.016) or less |
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| Left-turn steering | mm (in) | 0.4 (0.016) or less | ||
| Input shaft play | In radial direction | mm (in) | 0.18 (0.0071) or less | |
| In axial direction | mm (in) | 0.27 (0.0106) or less | ||
| Rotation resistance | N (kgf, lbf) | Maximum allowable value: 13 (1.3, 2.9) or less Difference between right and left sliding resistance: 20% |
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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) | 0.9 (0.035) or less | ||
| Pulley | Ditch deflection | mm (in) | 1.0 (0.039) or less | |
| Rotation resistance | N (kgf, lbf) | 9.22 (0.94, 2.07) or less | ||
| Regular pressure (Unloaded) | kPa (kgf/cm3 , psi) | 981 (10, 142) or less | ||
| Steering wheel effort (Power steering system) | At standstill with engine idling on paved road | N (kgf, lbf) | 29.4 (3.0, 6.6) or less | |
| At standstill with engine stalled on paved road | N (kgf, lbf) | 294.2 (30, 66.2) or less | ||
| Recommended power steering fluid | SUBARU ATF or 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.
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