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A Guide To Power Steering

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If you were to jump behind the wheel of a car built in the 1950s or before, you’d notice a lot of changes from our modern technology. While you could quickly adjust to seat comfort, noise levels, or even the lack of accessories, the one thing you might have problems with is the way the car drives.

Power steering may just be one of the single most effective systems adding into the modern day driving experience.

Without power steering, steering wheels were much larger in size. That was to give the driver leverage when trying to turn the wheels. As power steering was added, it became easier than ever to control the wheels with just slight variations of the steering wheel. It shrunk in size to add more comfort to the passenger cabin.

The power steering wheel

The original power steering wheel was added to enhance the feel for the driver. When you have more control, it reduces risk.

To create movement in the steering system, it’s achieved with a gear system. If you’ve ever heard the term “rack and pinion”, it’s referring to the steering system.

A Guide To Power SteeringThe rack is linear rather than round. It’s long and flat with prongs on one side. The rack is attached to the steering column by a series of tie rods.

The pinion is a circular gear that connects the steering shaft to the steering wheel. As you turn the steering wheel, the pinion rotates, moving the rack back and forth to control the vehicle to turn left or right.

The difference between hydraulic and electric power steering

While power steering changed everything, since it was first introduced in the 1950s, it has seen its share of changes.

The rack and pinion gear is also referred to as hydraulic, or HPS (high pressure steering.) These are considered steering assistance programs. If something happens to the engine, these steering assistance systems will give the driver control to steer even if fluid isn’t being supplied to the steering gear. Hydraulic steering uses the power supplied from the engine uses a belt attached to a pump, which continues to circulate fluid throughout the system.

Power flows because of the fluid. The power steering pump circulates this fluid under intense pressure, moving the pistons that control gear shifting, requiring less effort from the movement of the steering wheel. Pressure builds, the piston moves, and you have the ability to shift the car left or right with gentle motions. With technology, this process has sensors which can also take into consideration the vehicle’s speed, which ensures all movement is appropriate for the rate at which you are traveling.

Electric power steering, or EPS, is a bit simpler thanks to technology. It’s the vehicle’s computer system that is in charge of the steering process. The vehicle is equipped with a small electric motor either on the steering column or on the steering rack. Because the EPS doesn’t rely on power from the engine, it can increase fuel efficiency as well.

As a driver turns the steering wheel, the computer translates the movement and sends the request to the electric motor. This moves the rack and pinion back and forth. It’s built similarly to the hydraulic system in that it increases sensitivity at higher speeds. Because the only fluid in the system is to move the rack and pinion, it does not require fluid flushes as the hydraulic system does.

Common power steering problems

Like every part of your vehicle, the car is designed to give small warning signs as to when your power steering is failing. Watch for:

Power steering fluid leaks – power steering fluid is used to transfer pressure within the system, and change the direction of your wheels. If this fluid system has been compromised and is leaking fluid, the ability to build up enough pressure to move the wheels will be harder to do. You’ll notice it in the turning radius of your steering wheel – what used to be simpler grows harder to process. You can easily spot a leak because you’ll notice fluid dripping from the vehicle. There is often a grinding noise that is heard as you attempt to turn. If you ignore the problem to the point the system runs out of fuel, it can burn out the power steering pump.

Worn out hose – all parts are submitted to extreme conditions as you drive throughout the year. Often, one of the first to go are hoses as they crack, peel, or break. If the rubber hardens, it suffers more under intense conditions. This can be one of the first sources of a power steering fluid leak.

Slipped belt – occasionally, the drive belt will slip off the power steering pump. You’ll notice this by a squealing sound as you move your wheel to the left. This will prevent your car from changing direction as the pump won’t be able to do its job because of a total loss of fluid pressure.

Worn out pump – as a car ages, it causes the power steering pump to wear down. The seals can fail, the pump can break down, all leading to a loss of fluid pressure. The squealing noise will increase as you use it, and you’ll eventually lose the ability to steer at all.

How do you prevent problems with your power steering?

Preventative maintenance is your best course of action. Through a routine inspection, one of our mechanics can test each system and determine where weaknesses lie. You’ll learn which parts should be replaced, what signs to watch for, and be able to make decisions about the risk levels of your auto.

Want to keep your family safe every time you get in behind the wheel?

Schedule a maintenance inspection today.

Have One of These Common Power Steering Problems Happened To You?

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Think back for a moment about the cars from the early 1900s. Although you may have never climbed into one, just watching them in the movies, you can tell it was an entirely different experience than what we have today.

The wheels were a lot taller and narrower. Almost like the idea moved from a bicycle over to the automobile.

Cars didn’t have much structure to them. They were often open frames, not a lot of comfort on the inside, dangerous if the driver happened to bump into something.

And if you grabbed hold of the steering wheel, you would have been amazed at the size. They were much larger than we had today, taking up a lot of space in front of the driver.

There was a reason for that. It took a lot of effort to control a car into corners and turns. The large steering wheel gave the driver the ability to put effort into the turn. It gave them the ability to crank the wheel while keeping it under control.Have One of These Common Power Steering Problems Happened To You?

But all of that changed in the early 1950s as power steering was introduced to the marketplace. Power steering added control to vehicles. It also made the steering wheel smaller, which meant more comfort for the driver inside.

Think about your actions today. With one finger on the wheel, you can adjust it and make minor corrections in how you drive. Nudge it just a bit and you can change lanes. With one hand, you can corner, even park your car without exerting any pressure. That gives you the ability to think about other things – like what’s for dinner as you stop by the grocery store.

Understanding the power steering system

Today’s modern power steering is a hydraulic-controlled system that makes driving a breeze. A dedicated pump moves power steering fluid from a reservoir into the power steering column.

Have you heard the term “rack and pinion?” Rack and pinion is the most common steering gear system used in cars and trucks today. A rack is a long, flat gear with prongs located on one side of it. The pinion is a round gear connected to the steering shaft attached to the steering wheel. As you turn the wheel, the pinion gear rotates, connecting with the rack as it moves back and forth, giving you your turning radius and moving the car from right to left.

To make the steering process easier, hydraulic or high pressure steering was introduced. Think of this as a steering assist program designed to make the process easy for you to do. With a hydraulic system, fluid moves throughout the system, giving the power steering system the pressure it needs to move the steering wheel.

What problems can occur with the power steering system?

If your car is in perfect condition, driving is effortless. But the more you drive, the more opportunity for parts to wear down. Like every part of your car, power steering will eventually have problems. If you recognize the telltale behaviors early enough, you can avoid emergency repairs.

Your power steering system will alert you to potential problems with these behaviors.

Screeching as you start your car. Have you ever started a car and heard a high pitched screeching noise? It may be a problem with a belt. As belts age, they harden and start to decay. As they move, especially when cold and sitting for a while, they can screech or chirp as they move into action. You might also hear a similar sound as you move through hard turns. While it’s often a belt, it could also be a sign your power steering pump is wearing down.

Hard steering. The longer you drive a car, the more familiar you are with how it performs. It any part of the steering system starts wearing down, you can start to detect stiffness in movement, where the wheel feels like it’s more difficult to turn. If you start having to put more power into the way you move the steering wheel, it’s a sign you have problems with your power steering system.

Less responsiveness to your movements. When your car is new, barely touching the steering wheel can have your car moving quickly from one side to another. Over time, you might have to turn the wheel more for those same movements. As you start feeling even a bit of hesitation, be aware that the power steering pump may be failing.

A rumbling noise while moving into turns. If you hear a rumble or moan when moving into turns, it’s an indicator something is wrong with the power steering system. While it may only be a leak, it could also be the power steering pump is failing.

Fluid leak. To work effortlessly, the power steering system used power steering fluid. If the levels decrease over time, you’ll have power steering problems. A leak in power steering fluid levels can allow air, dirt, or grime into the system, putting stress on the mechanics of the power steering system. This can enable any of the above symptoms to occur. Keep watch underneath where you park your car on a regular basis. If at any time you see liquid, bring it in and let one of our mechanics take a look.

Finding a leak can be difficult. It can leak out of the steering pump. It can be from a hose that is failing. It could be somewhere in the rack and pinion system. If you have an indicator light come on your dashboard, the power steering fluid has dropped below acceptable levels. But if it’s just beginning, it may be a little more challenging to find. That’s where our expertise comes into play.

Make sure your power steering system is working

Power steering fluid is usually a reddish or light brown color. If it begins to leak, and you find it pooling underneath your vehicle, keep in mind that it’s similar in color to your transmission fluid. Power steering fluid usually leaks by the front of the vehicle, whereas transmission fluid will be more centralized, towards the middle of the car.

Whatever problem you’re currently having with your power steering, the important part is to get it fixed as quickly as possible. Repairing early means you’ll be back on the road safely in no time, and do so for less cost.

How can we help you with your power steering problems?

What To Do When Your Power Steering Goes Out

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Power steering on today’s automobiles is something most of us take for granted. But if you’ve ever had it disappear, you’ll appreciate it a little bit more.

It can be kind of scary, especially here along the Front Range. You’re driving. Heading to the office, or maybe off for a weekend in the mountains. You’re singing along with the radio, talking with the family, and suddenly it’s very difficult to turn the steering wheel in your car. What do you do when your power steering goes out?

Depending on what’s wrong determines the right course of action. Not all power steering problems require extensive repair work. But like other car repair issues, quick action can often save you time and money down the road.
What To Do When Your Power Steering Goes Out
Understanding Power Steering Technology

Power steering isn’t new technology. In fact, it was put in place as the first automobiles started flowing off the production line.

Hydraulic steering uses a pump to supply pressure. Driver control is authorized by use of rack and pinion. Fluid pressure is created within the pump, and pushed against a piston. As the wheel turns, pressure builds and flows, causing the piston to move. This piston is also attached to the steering mechanism, and with the air of hydraulic pressure, the steering wheel is moved and controlled by whoever is driving.

It all comes down to a highly sensitive valve system. When the steering wheel is straight, the steering valve is at rest. But as you turn it, fluid begins to flow around the valves, through the reservoir, and into the cylinder. The fluid moves and flows to different pressure chambers, depending on the direction you turn the wheel to control the gears. When the steering wheel is released, it returns to its neutral position.

When The Power Steering Goes Out

If there is a problem with any part of this hydraulic system, you’ll know it. Even a slight turn of the steering wheel will exert pressure, be more stubborn and stiff, and require more power to create the action of turning. If you drive for any distance, it can actually leave you a little sore. It also begs the question: what’s wrong?

One of the simplest solutions is power steering fluid is low. This could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. It could be caused by a lack of maintenance over the years, and your fluid has simply run out over time.

It might be due to contamination within the power steering fluid. As you drive your car, parts wear down and start breaking off. These tiny pieces can end up in the power steering fluid and corrode the functionality of the power steering fluid.

A more serious problem could be that the pump itself is failing. While this isn’t a common problem, it does happen from time to time. The best way to prevent any of this and stay on top of a potential problem is to be proactive from the start. If you take care of your system, provide regular servicing, this shouldn’t be an issue.

You can also watch for a potential leak by paying attention to what’s underneath your car. If you leave it set for any length of time, check for fluid. If you see a pink or amber puddle, it might be steering fluid. You can add power steering fluid yourself, or get it into our shop quickly so we can evaluate your entire system and ensure everything is working up to par.

Can It Be Something More?

Keep in mind that your car is put together with thousands of pieces all interlocked together, relying on each other to make sure everything works as it should. When one thing goes wrong, it can create a snowball effect, causing more pieces to go bad.

Every movement your car makes has enough force to impact different pieces. A shimmy or a shake is absorbed by the steering gear. If tires are low or out of balance, it can increase the likelihood of a recurring shimmy every time you drive. If the force is strong enough, it will damage bearings and impact the gears. This gives the drive system free play, meaning it starts the process of making steering difficult to control. It’s not an all-or-nothing problem. It occurs gradually over time.

Many drivers are misled to thinking you can control this shimmy by adjusting the nuts on the top of the steering gear. You can’t. Turning this will not eliminate shimmy, and may actually do more damage to the gears then leaving it alone. This can bind the gears together, essentially making the problem even worse.

It may also be from worn out steering valves. If power steering seems fine when you first turn your car on, and becomes increasingly more difficult as you drive, it may be the steering valves. A reputable repair shop can help make the diagnosis and fix the problem.

What If Your Power Steering Goes Out While You’re Driving?

What if you miss all the warning signs and the power steering goes out while you’re driving?

Don’t panic. The important thing is to slow the car down and remove yourself from traffic. Turn on your blinkers to signal moving over to the side of the road. You can turn on your hazards as well, further indicating to those around you that you have a problem.

Don’t stomp on the brakes. Depending on how fast the car is going, this could send you into a tailspin. And without the ability to steer, this could put you in a hazardous situation. Brake slowly and move over to the side.

Once you get the car stopped, turn the car off and on again. Test the wheel, can you move it easier? Sometimes the act of turning the car off can reset your system. This may give you the chance to move your car from traffic and get it in to our shop as quickly as you can. If you still notice problems, your best bet is to call for a tow truck.

Keep Your Power Steering In Good Health

Like all systems, your best bet is to keep your power steering system in the best shape possible to avoid potential problems when you least expect it. If you can’t remember the last time your power steering fluid was changed, maybe now is the time.

Use our coupon for a power steering flush. We’ll ensure everything is working the way it should, to keep you and your family safe every time you get into your car and head out into traffic.

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