History
Today, like many ancillary components that make our lives easier, power steering is taken for granted. It’s not something you’ll likely read on the spec sheet of modern vehicles either, having been fitted as standard for quite some time. Travel back in time and you’ll discover many vehicles that never had power steering. It was first invented in 1876 and the hydraulic systems we know today were developed further by Frederick W. Lanchester in 1902, the star of our previous article on TVDs. It took until 1926 for power steering to be fitted to a working motor vehicle, built and done so by Francis Davis. However – power steering didn’t catch on at the time and only did so after the advent of heavy, heavily armoured military vehicles requiring it in the 30’s and 40’s. It wasn’t then until the 1950’s where Chrysler produced power steering systems for their Imperial range – a commercial automotive first, basically using the same tech as from the 20’s! 2 years later – all manufacturers were offering it. Fast forward to today and it’s all but forgotten about until it goes wrong. Enter the Power Steering Pump – the key component of the system in delivering the additional force we are all used to.
Putting on the pressure
By far the most common method employed to assist steering is a hydraulic based pump system. Hydraulic power steering pumps, typically powered by drive belts deliver pressure to the rack to give its assistive steering power. In recent years, electro-hydraulic systems have started to appear where an electric motor is used to drive the pump, and finally purely electric motor driven gear systems are used on some cases. It’s the former two that BGA specialise in – where fluid is involved. In the cases of the hydraulic pumps – vanes or gerotors are used to apply positive pressure, combined with pressure control systems to ensure pumping pressure remains the same despite engine speed. When the steering wheel is turned, the pump’s pressure is used to push a piston in the hydraulic rack in the desired direction, controlled by valves. Additional control systems exist to offer adaptive pressure depending on the driving situation and wheel speed.
Reasons for failure
- Contamination of fluid. From maintenance, aging hoses which lead to moisture ingress, to degradation of internal components. The fluid gets old and contaminates exacerbate wear leading to failure. Contamination is by far the biggest killer of Power Steering Pumps.
- Low Fluid Levels. Low fluid levels reduce the amount of pressure the pump can develop meaning it has to work harder and thus wears out faster. PSP fluid also acts to cool the pump meaning low levels bring on overheating adding to additional wear and fluid contamination.
- Belt alignment or damage – An incorrectly fitted or functioning belt can pull on the pulley causing uneven wear to the bearings in the pump, eventually leading to leaks and poor operation and failure.
- Worn out pump – Either by age, use, heat or contamination. As the pump ages the pump will become louder and weaker indicating it’s time to change it.
Don’t settle for re-manufactured – Buy BGA – Brand new OE quality or higher
100% Brand New. None of BGA’s pumps are re-manufactured. BGA are an automotive pump specialist. Where possible and/or required by market demand we re-engineer the OE parts to remove any issues with the design. We then manufacture the pumps from scratch so our customers receive brand new product which is far superior to re-manufactured product. As a result, the pumps are free from the inconsistencies, contaminations, micro-fractures and shortened life that is unavoidable with re-manufactured products. BGA Pumps often feature upgraded internals to the OE part too. Every pump is manufactured using the latest in OE technology in our state-of-the-art, environmentally controlled facility. During manufacture, each component is individually measured and tested for conformity and quality assurance. This includes hardness and surface testing as well as dimensional and functional checks of all the individual components. During assembly, every single pump is rigorously tested and is tested throughout the manufacturing process, before being subjected to multiple levels of quality control prior to release to sale. Finally, the icing on the cake is that no surcharge system exists meaning no core exchange is required. This means the whole supply chain is free from having cash being tied up waiting and no core acceptance issues to worry about. BGA makes financial business sense without additional cost.
TRUST IN US
BGA provide the best and largest range of brand new, OE quality or higher power steering pumps available to the aftermarket. Featuring the most relevant and up-to-date references. BGA provides the aftermarket with the perfect solution for Power Steering Pumps. Utilising BGA’s OE manufacturing heritage we are able to ensure perfect manufacturing practice throughout the production cycle and continue to invest in R&D to ensure product quality and diversity of the range. When buying a BGA Power Steering Pump – you are not only buying a pump that is 100% fit for purpose, meeting OE standards or higher but also buying the vast experience that comes with BGA in Sales, Marketing, Technical and Warranty. Fit better – Buy BGA.
To find out more visit:
https://bgautomotive.co.uk/products/automotive-aftermarket-power-steering-pumps/
