Subaru Repair: Steering squeak and groan, front wheel bearing, rear bearings

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

2000 Subaru Forester 145k miles new clutch after 60K, new head gasket
under warrantee after 99K, new computer and two new rear bearings.  After
all of that I love the car and find it reliable.  Now after the cold has set in,
the steering makes a squeal when traveling at very low speeds or standing
still.  Also, hearing a groan when the wheel goes all the way to one side or
the other.  Thing is, it warmed up a bit this week and the problem subsided.  
Is it possible that the fluid thickened with the cold and a simple flush will fix
it?  If so, what does one need to do to flush it out?  Manual 5 speed by the
way if that has a bearing on it.

ANSWER: Chris,

There isn't much I can do to advise you on a particular noise you are experiencing.

I also am having trouble understanding your symptom, are you saying when you are at a stop or low speed driving and not steering the steering is making a noise?  Or are you turning the wheel and getting a noise?

Is the noise in the wheel area and which side.  

I think you are trying to describe a front wheel bearing and hub issue.

But its hard to say for sure.

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/

Justin



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I think it is almost certainly a power steering fluid problem.   Old and never
changed but the best indication is that when it warms up it stops.  I guess
more than anything I want to know the best way to change my fluid.

Answer
We have a machine that sucks out the old and installs new at the reservoir.

There is no drain in a power steering system, you can crack open a line  and let it drain out but you wont get it all and will need to repeat the process a couple of times.