Power steering

Pic. 13.29. The power steering of the Fiesta car: 1 – a reservoir with a working liquid; 2 - pump; 3 - pressure switch; 4 - steering wheel; 5 - radiator; 6 – left steering draft; 7 – steering gear with gear rack; 8 – steering column; 9 - universal joint; 10 - protective cover; 11 - right steering rod

To reduce the force applied to the steering wheel when turning, all Fiesta cars since 1996 have been equipped with a hydraulic power steering (pic. 13.29). As an additional force, a high-pressure working fluid is used, which is supplied to the working cylinders located in the steering mechanism. The control valve is used to inject fluid into the cylinder at a pressure that corresponds to the angle of rotation of the steering wheel. The control valves operate according to the so-called open center principle, i.e. when the control valve is not in operation, the liquid supplied by the pump is bypassed back into the reservoir at zero pressure. The slower you drive, the more the power assist assists you in turning the steering wheel, at higher speeds the steering works with little to no power assistance. When parking and maneuvering the car, the booster works at its best, at speeds above about 10 km / h, its effect gradually decreases, since at higher speeds the driver expends much less effort to control the car.

Power steering repairs and maintenance down to the smallest work (checking the tightness of the hydraulic system, topping up the working fluid, etc.), must be entrusted to a car repair shop.