My Lord, when it rains... 03 WRX steering was feeling "sticky" sporadically with a fair amount of squealing at very low speeds/parked. Replaced fluid DEX 3...marginally better. No leaks. Original rack 150k. What next? What would @Chux do?
Yep, reproduce the squealing and see if you can identify where it's coming from (use a small hose, hold one end up to your ear, and move the other around the engine bay to pinpoint the source). My first thought is belt. Does the battery light ever come on? issues with air conditioning? Also could be the harmonic balancer separating, use a paint pen or white out to draw a line across the face of the pulley, if the rubber portion has split, the line will break. Could also be an internally failed pump cavitating.
Aftermarket remans are generally decent. I would recommend an inline filter on the return line to prevent debris from the old pump failing.
I'm sure I used this one on my Celica, as I was working at AutoZone at the time (which means ~10 years ago). My Duralast pump hasn't missed a beat since then. https://www.autozone.com/filters-an...actured-power-steering-filter-70702/13909_0_0 When I was running the commercial sales department there, they had me take a class about warranty comebacks, and the #1 cause of failure of Fuel pumps, PS pumps, and AC compressors is debris (generally rust from the tank on the first, and from the old failing part on the other 2), which is why most manufacturers won't warranty them unless the related filter is replaced at the same time. But search "power steering filter" on any auto parts site, and you'll see a variation of that. Even Amazon, Summit, etc. packaging on a WRX might be a challenge, but it would be worth some effort.
