How a Power Steering Pump Works

Here's how a power steering pump works to provide pressure to the power steering rack on your car.

A power steering pump is essentially a vane pump. Inside, a rotor with translating vanes rotates inside an eccentric cam housing.

The vanes are flung toward the outside of the cam housing on either side where pockets are formed. As the rotor rotates, the pockets become smaller as the vanes retract. This creates a high pressure zone on one end, and a low pressure zone on the other end, driving the fluid flow.

Power steering pumps are self regulating, in that they can regulate the flow of the fluid coming out as the engine RPM increases. Inside the flow control valve consists of a ball and a spring. Excess fluid is pumped pass the spring and back out to the low pressure inlet port. That's how the steering effort is not over-boosted at higher speeds.

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[mmichaeldonavon]

One of THE best explanations as to how a mechanical device operates!   YOU should be in a classroom - no question about it.   Thanks, very enlightening.

[KuldeepSingh-bydt]

1:00 that spring thing was hilarious !!!

[firatbey]

Wonderful video. One of the best informatives I've ever seen. Fluent talk, knows his stuff, theoretical and practical info in the same video, no unnecessary stuff to make the vid 10mins. A+

[ovalwingnut]

5 years later and still the best P/S pump description on the Interwebs, bar none. Not to mention studley tools and your brother's personal items all at no additonal charge. Does it get any better? I don't think so.

[RC-cfyu]

You're the only one who does the tearing of units to show internal components revealing secrets. I also like tearing things. Your videos has been helpful. Keep it up man, from The Philippines.

[jadesmith]

Your honesty, education and demonstration without that spring is utterly brilliant 🤣

[jessecreatethis]

You rock dude. I was trying to visualize how this worked internally so I could diagnose an issue I'm having. This helps immensely.

[lunarlasso]

Glad you made this six years ago. Best video I've seen on how a mechanical device works. Taking my ASEs and this explains it so much better than any book. Thanks! Much love!

[ryanr]

This was very helpful! Great detailed info to help the novice that I am without going over my head. Thanks!

[JodBronson]

This is an ingenious idea that they came up with. They knew that Blade / Fan Type wouldn't work, so rotating " Vanes " would be a better option and longer lasting :D.

[DayaCIDfan]

You are next level at what you do! Getting down to the cross section of every machine in real life haha. good stuff!

[watching-the-watchers]

Loved it! He even uses his brothers sock to clean the surfaces!

[jreina]

"... And it's invisible right now because it went flying and I lost it..."

[davidlindquist]

I love your videos. Direct, to the point, no extra yakking.

[samr]

Brilliant explanation...
Seriously.. Brothers socks!!

[stanfridman]

Very nice vid. Very clear and easy fir mechanically inclined people, no BS straight to the point!!

[mdr]

Perfect timing. I'm rebuilding the pump on my 96 Camry V6 tomorrow. Good to know how it works.

[RickaramaTrama-lcys]

That show and tell was quite impressive and you obviously have done this before~!! I have never seen such control of The English Language and you should be very proud of your ability.
Thanks for the lesson.

[EmilEonoe]

I hope your Brother is grateful for the plug and airtime. Informative video, thanks.

[Dan-ywsy]

Very neat video! I love how he explains all the intracasies of the little parts..