Understanding 6 Components of Power Steering in Cars Along with Their Functions

For those of you who love automotive or own a car, the term power steering may already be familiar.

Power steering is one part of the steering system, where its function is to make it easier for the driver to control the steering wheel.

To maximize its performance, the power steering components work together to perform this function.

1. Reservoir Tank

The first component of power steering is the reservoir tank. This component is located in the hydraulic pump, where its function is to store the reserve oil that the power steering has.

The oil comes from the control valve and flows through the low pressure hose, then is stored by this reservoir tank.

Next, the oil stored in the reservoir tank will be channeled or circulated back through the pump from the power steering.

As a car owner, you must always ensure that the level of power steering oil is sufficient and do not let the power steering oil run empty.

2. Vane Pump

Before explaining that one of the components of power steering is the reservoir tank that circulates the power steering oil through the pump.

The pump referred to here is the vane pump, which is also part of the power steering components.

Vane pump is driven by utilizing the engine's rotation connected with the v belt and through the pulley.

3. Low Pressure Steering Hose

Next is the low pressure steering hose which has the main function as a conduit for power steering oil.

This part is also often referred to as the power steering hose, and it carries low-pressure fluid from the rotary control valve towards the reservoir tank.

4. Steering Rack Shaft

Steering rack shaft is one of the components of power steering, which is the main steering shaft and functions as a conduit for the rotation of the steering wheel in the steering gear box.

This component has a piston on one side, and that piston is connected to the power cylinder. Meanwhile, the other side is fitted with a gear that connects to the pinion gear.

5. Steering Gear Housing

Steering gear has the main function of being a place to hold the pinion gear and power steering rack. The existence of this component is designed to be integrated with several other components, such as power cylinder and control valve.

In fact, the shape of this steering gear varies in each vehicle, depending on size and other factors.

6. High Pressure Steering Hose

If there is a low pressure steering hose, then there is also a high pressure steering hose as a component of power steering.

This part functions similarly to the low pressure, but the high pressure can carry high-pressure power steering oil.

The material of the high pressure steering hose is usually made of steel or metal. It turns out that power steering consists of quite a number of components, each with its own function.

However, the way power steering works is actually quite simple and not as complicated as imagined. There are only two stages of how the power steering works, namely the neutral steering position (the wheels are straight ahead) and the steering turning position.

Read also : Causes of Car Power Steering Damage