Power Steering Cylinder – the mechanism of a Power Steering System

Generally there are majorly two systems in a power steering mechanism – the power steering cylinder and the steering gear. In most of the cars, cylinder is fixed to the front of the engine and driven by the accessory drive chain. One thing to consider is that the size of the cylinder should be enough to create adequate fluid pressure at idle. The speed of pump exceeds as engine speed increases, a pressure relief valve is employed to put the pressures at the normal levels.The most vital part of this system is the steering gear. The two most common type of gears used are – rack and pinion and recirculating ball type. Out of these, rack and pinion is widely used in modern cars. In a power assisted system, hydraulic fluid from the power steering cylinder enters the steering gear and comes back at low pressure side. An installed valve system into the gear box directs fluid out which reenters at a later point. This pressurized fluid acts on the power piston to help steering move. Now, it becomes easy. In case you turn right, the additional fluid is moved to the right side of the piston, which helps move the rack and therefore steer the tires.