Have you ever wondered what power steering is and how it works? I mean, it’s supposed to make it easier for the average person to direct their car. But is it really necessary, or is it just hype? If you have ever driven a car manufactured before 1950, then you probably know just how big a deal power steering is. Back in the day, steering a large, steel-bodied automobile took quite a lot of strength. These days, drivers can experience the convenience of power steering from either an electric rack & pinion or a worm gear box run with hydraulic fluid.
How It Started: Inventing Power Steering
The first U.S. patent for a mechanical power steering component in a four-wheel-drive vehicle was in the year 1900. It wasn’t until the mid-1920s that auto manufacturers looked at adding a mechanism to assist drivers with the arduous task of steering vehicles. However, they found the process too expensive to produce for passenger cars. Military vehicles, like armored cars and tank-recovery machines used by the British and American armies, benefited from a rudimentary form of power steering during WWII. Starting in the early 1950s, several auto manufacturers introduced the first cars equipped with power steering to the American public. Before this technology, drivers had to work hard to move the steering wheel to keep their vehicles moving in a straight line or maneuver around corners. The first, simple steering-assisted designs of over a century ago have evolved to include more sophisticated steering systems, enabling modern vehicles to steer more easily.
About Power Steering
Power-assisted steering uses mechanical and/or electrical technologies to help reduce the physical effort required to steer your vehicle, particularly at slow speeds. There are two main types of power steering systems. One uses electricity and the other uses hydraulic fluid. Let’s look at them both.
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Most modern vehicles use an electric motor to provide steering assistance, making it more energy-efficient and flexible than hydraulic power. Electric power steering automatically adjusts the assistance level based on driving conditions. This feature helps provide drivers a consistently smooth steering experience. Most newer model passenger cars use EPS.
Hydraulic Power Steering
Hydraulic power steering utilizes hydraulic fluid and a pump to provide steering assistance. When you move the steering wheel, the pump pressurizes the power steering fluid, making it easier for you to turn the wheel. Most older model passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles use this system.
Power Steering Components
Power steering helps drivers change the direction of their vehicle with minimal effort. Electric and hydraulic steering systems use slightly different components to make steering a car easier. Vehicle weight, size, and designated use often determine the type of power steering system.
Electric Power Steering System
Electric power steering systems feature an electric motor to help move the rack & pinion steering gear and provide steering assistance for the driver. A typical EPS system includes the following power steering components.
Rack & Pinion Steering Gear
The rack & pinion steering gear contains a set of gears that transfers the driver’s directives on the steering wheel to control the vehicle’s direction. The steering wheel moves the steering linkage, which connects to the steering knuckles and finally attaches to the wheels and tires. The rack & pinion components work together to move the tires left, straight, or right, in response to the driver’s input through the steering wheel.
Steering Motor
The electric motor (mounted on either the steering column or steering rack) is the focal point of the electric power steering system. The steering motor applies force to turn the steering gear, providing the driver with steering assistance.
EPS Control Module
The EPS control module is a mini-computer that operates the steering motor based on information from the steering system sensors. The EPS module may also communicate with other control modules in your vehicle’s onboard computer system.
Sensors
The steering wheel sensor, typically an integrated angle and torque sensor, is the primary input to the EPS module. There’s usually another sensor that relays the motor’s position back to the EPS module.
Hydraulic Power Steering System
Many vehicles on the road today still have hydraulic power steering. This design uses an engine-driven pump and pressurized hydraulic fluid to provide steering assistance. A typical hydraulic system includes the following power steering components:
Worm Gear Box or Rack & Pinion Steering Gear
Hydraulic power steering systems may use either a steering rack & pinion assembly or a worm gear box, depending on the vehicle design. Both types contain gears that transfer input from the steering wheel to the various steering components, allowing the wheels and tires to move.
Power Steering Pump
The power steering pump, powered by a drive belt from the engine, pressurizes the power steering fluid and sends it to the power steering gear.
Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir
Pressurized hydraulic fluid acts as the medium that applies force to the steering gear. A reservoir mounted near the power steering pump stores the power steering fluid.
Hoses
A pair of hoses connects the steering gear to the power steering pump. The ‘pressure hose’ carries pressurized hydraulic fluid from the power steering pump to the gear. The ‘return hose’ moves the fluid from the steering gear back to the pump.
Engine Drive Belt
A drive belt attached to the car’s engine turns the steering pump’s pulley, which provides it with power. Some vehicles have a serpentine belt that moves through multiple pulleys on the engine. Other automobiles have single belts connected to individual component pulleys. If a drive belt becomes glazed, frayed, or breaks, it will cause malfunctions.
Benefits Of Power Steering Maintenance
Power steering has transformed modern driving by making it easier and safer to steer. Remember to regularly inspect hydraulic fluid levels and check hoses, lines, and belts for signs of damage or wear. Always use the factory-recommended power steering fluid noted in your owner’s manual. Regular maintenance helps avoid costly repairs and improves vehicle safety.
Power Steering Service in Kirkland, WA
Trusted for over 45 Years, Fisher’s Auto Service in Kirkland, WA, provides inspection, maintenance, and repairs for all Asian, European, and Domestic SUV, truck, and car models. Our technicians have completed rigorous training programs at the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, and demonstrate expertise in general and specialty auto repair and maintenance. If you are looking for reliable power steering service for your rack & pinion or worm gear box, we are happy to help you.
Make An Appointment
Scheduling routine maintenance appointments according to your vehicle’s manufacturer-recommended intervals helps keep your vehicle running smoothly. Give us a call at (425) 823-4441 or visit our website to schedule your power steering service today.