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IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
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Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

SERVICE MANAGER

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2014-2018MY Forester
Power Steering System Diagnostics

NUMBER: 04-23-18R
DATE: 09/27/18
REVISED: 10/11/19

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides helpful tips to simplify the diagnosis of sound concerns originating in the
electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox (steering rack) assembly. If a vehicle presents with a
“rattling”, “knocking” or possibly a “clanging” type sound coming from the steering rack and / or
a vibration felt through the steering wheel, use the flow chart below to help make diagnosis of the
concern easier.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information provided in this bulletin is only applicable to vehicles
equipped with EPS racks with Lot Numbers BEFORE 117X614038. A procedure for interpreting the
Lot Number is provided after the flow chart shown below. If any of the concerns described below are
verified on an EPS rack with or after Lot Number 117X614038, diagnose following the procedure in
the applicable Service Manual.
•

“Rattling”: Sound or vibration heard or felt in the steering that occurs while driving and
without any steering wheel input (travelling straight ahead).

•

“Knocking”: A “muffled” sound or possibly a vibration -type feeling that occurs with the
engine running and the vehicle either in motion or stationary.

•

“Clanging”: A metallic -type sound heard with the engine running and the vehicle either in
motion or stationary while turning the steering wheel left or right.

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs. Always

refer to the applicable Service Manual and review the full requirements of the repair being
performed. Service Manual procedures contain information critical to performing an effective repair
the first time and every time. This includes but is not limited to: important SAFETY precautions,
proper inspection criteria, necessary special tools, required processes and related one-time-use parts
needed for a complete and lasting repair.
Continued...

CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles,
or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly
trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to
do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 04-23-18R; Revised: 01/11/19

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is friendly
to our environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

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Flow Chart for Confirmation of
Symptom(s)

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 04-23-18R; Revised: 01/11/19

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LOT NUMBER IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
IMPORTANT: Use the information below to locate and interpret the Lot Number found on the
bottom cover as shown. A change was made to the EPS rack assembly during June of 2017 but,
there is not a starting VIN number available for when these parts were incorporated into the vehicle
production. Therefore, never take it for granted a vehicle produced during or after June of 2017
has the new EPS rack installed. Always inspect the Lot Number BEFORE replacing any EPS rack
assembly on a vehicle affected by this bulletin.
NOTE: In the event the rack requires replacement, always record the rack’s Lot Number on the
Repair Order as it will be required for claim submission.

If diagnostics determine EPS rack replacement is necessary, follow the procedure in the applicable
Service Manual for the repair.
Always road test the vehicle to confirm a quality repair has been made and verify the customer’s
concerns have been fully addressed.
REMINDER: If any of the concerns described above are verified on a rack with or after Lot
Number 117X614038, diagnose following the procedure supplied in the applicable Service Manual.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 04-23-18R; Revised: 01/11/19

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WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim
information:
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor
Time

EPS RACK BACKLASH ADJUSTMENT- Includes: Flow
Chart Diagnosis, Rack R&R and Toe Adjustment

B659-038

1.7

EPS RACK REPLACE- Includes: Flow Chart Diagnosis,
Rack Assembly Replacement and Toe Adjustment

B659-032

1.5

SUBLET REPAIR- ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES (For
use when subletting the toe adjustment.)

C101-108

0.3

Fail Code

RDK-25

NOTE: The Lot Number of the ORIGINAL EPS steering rack MUST be entered in the
Miscellaneous Detail field at claim entry.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 04-23-18R; Revised: 01/11/19

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