Over the years, the manner and style of driving has evolved considerably. Performing a simple movement, such as parking, turning or reversing, could become a nightmare if you don’t have full control of the vehicle. The same thing happens when you try to maneuver with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear lever. However, this last technique has improved thanks to the different innovative power steering systemswhich make driving easier for users and, fortunately, are found in the vast majority of current cars.
What is power steering and what is it for?
THE power steering It will allow the driver to perform all types of maneuvers without any effort. Without this system, you should know that each turn of the steering wheel will cause require greater strength or sudden movement whenever the affected user faces an emergency situation. Thanks to its steering pump, which is activated via the crankshaft pulley, the oil will circulate throughout the circuit and will be distributed on one side and the other via the regulating valve.
without moving the steering wheel
On the one hand, the steering pump will receive kinetic energy thanks to the accessory belt and will send oil to the control valve. If in this case no turn is made on the steering wheel, the valve will send it back to the tank instead of distributing it to one side or the other.
After moving the steering wheel
If we decide to move the flywheel, the control valve, in this case, will bring the oil to one side of the cylinder and The pressure will increase until the piston is activated that is to say inside, which is responsible for activating each of the mechanical elements of the steering.
We stop moving the steering wheel
If we stop moving the steering wheel, the control valve will stop sending oil to the cylinder and therefore the piston will stop moving. The valve will therefore return the element to the tank.
What happens if the power steering fails?
If the vehicle has power steering failures, the likelihood of causing an accident is much greater due to the inability to control the vehicle adequately on the road due to its harshness in movements. On the other hand, it could also reduce the useful life of the car, as greater efforts would be required to perform the movements and the interior parts would deteriorate more quickly. Lack of power steering fluid, leaks in the hydraulic system or problems with the hydraulic pump and hoses, among others, are some of the causes of difficult power steering.
How much does it cost to repair a car’s power steering?
In the event of serious breakdowns or failures of the car’s power steering, it is best to quickly go to our nearest workshop and entrust the vehicle to a qualified professional. Under normal conditions, power steering repair can be expensive between 50 and 500 eurosdepending on the severity of the situation. For example, if the part concerned is the hydraulic pump, it will be necessary to calculate the labor and especially the price of the part in question, which will have an approximate price of 100 euros.
The difference between power steering and hydraulic steering
On the one hand, hydraulics is a type of system that uses hydraulic fluid under pressure to help move the vehicle’s wheels when the driver turns the steering wheel. It also has a hydraulic pump usually driven by the car engine and a assist cylinder which is responsible for applying pressure to the steering mechanism. The hydraulic pump sends fluid through high-pressure lines to the system, helping to move the wheels with less effort on the part of the driver. Its greatest advantage is that it offers us a smooth and efficient assistanceespecially in large and heavy vehicles. Its disadvantage is that it consumes much more engine energy and requires regular maintenance.
Power steering, for its part, covers any system that facilitates the rotation of the steering wheel, whether hydraulic, electric or even combined assistance systems. Also use electric motors to help the driver turn the steering wheel, without using a hydraulic system. Its biggest advantage is fuel consumption efficiency. Its disadvantage is that the electrical system can cost more in the event of a breakdown.
All the breakdowns and breakdowns that power steering can cause you
- Loss of hydraulic fluid.
- Defective hydraulic pump.
- Leaks in the hydraulic system.
- Contamination of hydraulic fluid.
- Power steering valve failure.
- Noise when turning the steering wheel.
