Introduction

It is basically a rotary vane pump which is driven by a motor through a belt and a pulley. The pump construction includes a retractable vane assembly and an oval chamber.

Working Capacity

When the retractable vanes rotate within the chamber, power steering fluid is drawn into the pump and compressed. The amount of high pressure fluid generated by the pump is directly proportional to the speed of the motor. Therefore, at higher engine speeds, the pump will produce more fluid than necessary. A pressure relief valve is incorporated into the pump to control the amount of fluid generated. The valve ensures that the correct amount of fluid is generated even at high engine speeds.

Type

Over the years, the car’s design has changed almost every time a new model is released. Knowing what parts are in your vehicle is key to ordering the right parts for replacement. There are 4 main types of power steering pumps that have been used and each has many variations.

– Eaton

– Saginaw

– Ford

– Thompson

When changing a pump, be sure to order the correct unit to meet your vehicle’s exact needs. The image above shows a comparison of different power steering pump designs.

Symptoms

Power steering pumps can suffer from common wear and tear such as leaking over time or a broken vane. A crackling noise when driving at low speeds or on turns, especially in tight turns, is a common symptom of a faulty steering pump. A stiff steering when driving in cold weather is also a sign of a faulty pump. In addition, the steering wheel will not return to its normal position when released. If you get any of the signs mentioned above, it could be your steering pump that is faulty.