Maintaining hydraulic power steering, symptoms to watch for while driving, and identifying faults in the rack and pump.
Because the steering system directly affects driving safety, its maintenance and early fault detection deserve close attention. Hydraulic power steering care mainly involves:
- Monitoring oil condition
- Checking the rack’s dust boots
- Looking after high- and low-pressure hoses
- Watching for fluid leaks at connections and unusual noises from the units
Knocking, vibration or play when turning the wheel or driving over kerbs, potholes and speed bumps, uneven effort through the steering range and a wheel position that does not match the road wheels are all warning signs. The rack and pump should then be diagnosed and repaired with dedicated equipment.