I replaced a timing belt for another friend and I noticed his power steering pump was leaking fluid which also ruined the timing belt cover seals. I didn't have time to do the seal and I need to order them from Subaru anyway, so I decided to attack the pump. O'Reilly had the pump cheaper but I went with the local parts house as they were all Cardone pumps or so I figured. I bolt in the Cardone reman and I fire the car up to a spray of ATF which was my fault for not tightening the pressure fitting! So I fixed that, started up the car and I noticed the steering was notchy. I check on the pump and I noticed the pump pulley was wobbly and it was about to come off the shaft!
I call the parts house, they offer a refund and I inspect the pump. It was a press-fit pulley but I noticed some galling on the shaft and I was able to take it off by hand. The shaft was wobbly too. I pick up a pump from O'Reilly that was either a new one from China or remaned there. It appeared to be much nicer and when it was on, the pulley stayed put.
My preference is to reseal the pump, but Subaru didn't stock a reseal kit and this car didn't use a Showa-made pump in which I can use parts from Honda to service it. Looks like I need to be leery of anything Cardone now.
I call the parts house, they offer a refund and I inspect the pump. It was a press-fit pulley but I noticed some galling on the shaft and I was able to take it off by hand. The shaft was wobbly too. I pick up a pump from O'Reilly that was either a new one from China or remaned there. It appeared to be much nicer and when it was on, the pulley stayed put.
My preference is to reseal the pump, but Subaru didn't stock a reseal kit and this car didn't use a Showa-made pump in which I can use parts from Honda to service it. Looks like I need to be leery of anything Cardone now.