Test Equipment for Power Steering Racks

A rack-and-pinion steering system with integrated power steering or, more simply, steering rack is what the owner of any used car hopes to repair. Sometimes, at the first signs of a malfunction such as a pump’s buzzing, rack’s knocking or leaking of the liquid, the car is generally preferred to sell, so as not to be associated with expensive repairs. If the cost of rack becomes the cause of a sharp adrenaline ejection due to its price tag, it is better to repair it in a vehicle servicing.

Before moving on to the nuances of exploitation and breakdowns, it is worth mentioning one of the most expensive elements of the power steering - its hydraulic pump. There are two types of them, different in type of drive - driven by the engine crankshaft and driven by an electric motor.

Everything begins, as a rule, with customer complaints about a knock or leakage of working fluid. Another, less common reason for contacting vehicle workshop can be a sharply weighted steering wheel and an increased backlash of the steering wheel. Well, after the recourse the algorithm of actions is quite standard.

Power Steering Racks Tester

First of all, the car goes to the lift, where it passes the auto diagnosis. Experienced mechanic without dissembling determines whether it is a steering rack malfunction or the undercarriage. If the cause of concern is still the rack, then it is dismantled and send to the specialist.

Once the steering mechanism is in the hands of the technician, he installs it on a special test bench. Having established, the rack connects to equipment’s hoses on which flows the same working liquid as on the car. Simulating the work of the mechanism on the car, the mechanic checks it for leaks, as well as the operating and maximum pressure in the system. The technical condition of the spool valve is determined according to the latest parameters.

When nothing has been removed, rack’s body can only be inspected and checked for obvious defects or damage - for example, cracks. More detailed defecting of the case is carried out when the mechanism is sent for disassembly for the purpose of restoration and repair. This, in turn, can reveal scratches on the inner surface of the cylinder.

Power Steering Pump Tester

Now more detailed about power steering pump. Its malfunction can be determined even when the car is running. It can buzz constantly, with a change in the number of turnovers or in the extreme position of the steering wheel. The test bench for diagnostics of pumps with mechanical drive automatically accelerates the pump to 500, 1,000 and 1,500 rpm and monitors the pressure regulator’s work. Comparing the operation schedules of the standard and diagnosed pumps, the technician makes a conclusion about the technical condition. If you exclude the system's blown-up and assume that the system's working fluid is normal, then the cause of noise can be the parts deterioration.

The most loaded parts in the pump are the blades. Because of the forces acting on them, slots are formed in the rotor - they turn from rectangular to more rounded ones, and the blade starts to hang. A consequence of this is the stepwise working out on the stator ring. The loose blade starts to wear out the side plates with the channels, thereby sending the entire assembly into scrap. The most deplorable state of the pump can be the destruction of the rotor.After elimination of all defects and malfunctions, the parts of the steering rack and hydraulic pump are received by the master for assembly.

In conclusion, we would remind you that any, even the quietest and most inconspicuous knock coming from the steering mechanism, often leads to expenditures, so if you do not plan to sell the car at the first problem, do not postpone the diagnosis for later. Pay special attention to the effort on the steering wheel and at the slightest suspicion of something amiss. Steering - one of the systems directly responsible for traffic safety, and the attitude to it should be at the appropriate level.