When I first start driving my 2001 Outback it steers easily. As the car warms up it becomes harder to steer?

SOURCE: 01 subaru outback steering rack problem

you can usually find a rack at a junk yard and it will cost about 100 bucks. but i need you to describe to me in detail what you mean by lauching piston.

SOURCE: steering gone heavy

Sounds like the belt that drives your steering pump is the same belt that drives your alternator, eh? Are you sure you don't have a loose, slipping, or broken steering/alternator belt? I assume you have looked under the hood, and that the engine did not die.
Check the steering fluid level, as mentioned above, and inspect the belts. Steering pumps need their fluid, BUT I Can't imagine why a low steering fluid level would cause the warning lights to come on unless a belt is at fault or the engine died. Belt could still be in place, but just sliding across the crucial pulleys. So watch it run and note if all the pulleys are turning or not. I'm betting the belt broke, slipped, or an accessory pulley locked up. Namely: steering pump or alternator.

Report back if this is not the problem please. Hope this helps. Tater Todd

SOURCE: My car is starting to

They supposedly checked all fluids but said that replacing the pump might be the solution. They removed a bracket as noted in a TSB on similiar problem which helped for a day but still having the shudder when turning at slow speeds.

Thank you

Brandon Johnson

• 253 Answers
• Posted on Aug 09, 2009

SOURCE: Power steering pump replacement for Subaru Outback

REMOVAL

1. Remove ground terminal from battery.
2. Remove pulley belt cover bracket.

1. Loosen lock bolt and slider bolt and remove power steering pump drive V-belt.
2. Disconnect connector from power steering pump switch.

1. Disconnect pipe C and suction hose from oil pump. CAUTION:

• Do not allow fluid from the hose end to come into contact with pulley belt.
• To prevent foreign matter from entering the hose and pipe, cover the open ends of them with a clean cloth.

1. Remove bolts which install power steering pump bracket.

1. Place oil pump bracket in a vise, remove two bolts from the front side of oil pump. CAUTION: Do not place oil pump bracket directly in the vise; use soft pads and hold oil pump lightly to protect the pump.

1. Remove socket from oil pump.
2. Remove bolt from the rear side of oil pump.

SOURCE: replaced the Rack And Pinion assembly on 2000 Subaru outback

how to disassembly rack and pinion