Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Power Steering Pump: Description
Pump can be identified by having pressure hose attachment at rear of oval shaped reservoir. Rectangular pumping vanes carried by a shaft driven rotor, move fluid from intake to pressure cavities of cam ring. As rotor begins to rotate, centrifugal force throws vanes against inside surface of cam ring to pick up residual oil, which is then forced into high pressure area.
Oil is forced into cavities of thrust plate and through 2 cross-over holes in cam ring and pressure plate. This empties oil into high pressure area between pressure plate and housing end plate. Filling high pressure area causes oil to flow under vanes in slots of rotor, forcing vanes to follow inside oval surface of cam ring. As vanes rotate to small area of cam ring, oil is forced out from between vanes.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.