NAPA AUTO PARTS carries a wide variety of power steering systems and parts for your vehicle.
What are the types of power steering systems?
There are two basic types of power steering systems used on vehicles. The rack and pinion steering system and the conventional/integral steering gear system, which is also known as a recirculating ball steering system. Any power steering system in general contains various components between the steering wheel and steering gear including the steering wheel itself, an O-ring, the steering column, the steering coupler, the steering gear, power steering hoses, and a power steering pump.
An integral component of a vehicle's rack-and-pinion steering mechanism is the steering rack. It is a metal bar that sits parallel to the front axle that moves left and right as the steering wheel is turned. Another important component is the O-ring, which is found on the top of the power steering pump. It's the suction hose that brings the fluid from the reservoir into the pump. The hose connects to a metal/plastic inlet/elbow that is bolted onto the pump.
Hydraulic fuel called power steering fluid, helps lubricate the steering system, the steering system pulley, and various other moving parts to help your vehicle's power steering system run smoothly. Power steering fluid creates a hydraulic link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This decreases the amount of effort required to turn the wheels with the help of a power steering hose, which is used to connect the power steering pump of the vehicle to the power steering cylinder. There is a power steering fluid reservoir that holds the power steering fluid.
NAPA's steering components aftermarket has a range of parts which help your vehicle's power steering run smoothly. We have a stock of leading brands such as OEM, Cardone, Damper, Acdelco, Bellows, Dorman etc. for various makes such as Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Toyota and many others.
We carry parts and components such as bearings, bolts, boot kits, bushings, cooling fans, dipsticks, gaskets, power steering caps, power steering cap covers, power steering control valves, power steering control valve mounting kits, power steering control valve rebuild kits, power steering control valve sockets, power steering cylinders, power steering cylinders, mounting kit power steering cylinder rebuild kits, power steering pumps, power steering pump brackets, power steering pump rebuild kits, and power steering pump reservoirs.
A Tough Wheel to Turn
Early vehicle steering systems were rudimentary at best, so maneuvering an old Ford Model T meant you had to use a lot of elbow grease to get where you wanted to go. These days, most power steering systems use hydraulic racks with motorized pumps, reservoirs and hoses. The pressure line, also known as the power steering pressure hose, runs from the power steering pump to the power steering gearbox. Pressurized power steering fluid is routed to the pump's steering rack, which regulates the steering wheel turn rate.
A worn or faulty power steering line can cause your power steering system to lose pressure. If there is leaking steering fluid, the most obvious symptom is your steering wheel becomes much more difficult to turn. If this occurs while driving, try to pull your vehicle over to the shoulder or a safe area where you can inspect your power steering. You may need to check under the vehicle, so be sure you've got a well-stocked roadside kit.
Replacing a Power Steering Hose
Shopping NAPAOnline for power steering hose replacement for a Ford F150 or a Hyundai Santa Fe is a great place to start if you want to tackle this repair yourself! We carry replacement hoses for a vast range of years, makes and models from reliable brand names like NAPA, Gates and Edelmann.
When you're ready, be sure you've allocated enough time for a moderately-involved repair. Gather all the necessary supplies and tools, including safety glasses, gloves, shop rags, drain pan, flare nut wrenches and closed-toed shoes.
First, be sure your drain pan is placed under the power steering system to catch any leaking steering fluid. Then remove the hose connection fittings from the steering rack and steering pump. Install your replacement power steering hose, being careful not to overtighten the fittings as this could strip the hardware or strain the new hose, causing it to fail prematurely. Be sure to replace your power steering return hose at this time as well.
If you're not comfortable with the difficulty level of this repair or you just don't have time, don't sweat it! You've got a friendly local NAPA AutoCare Center close to you. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians are happy to perform a reasonably priced power steering hose replacement and inspect your power steering system for other issues so you can steer back onto easy street!
