Steering Valves, Relays, Sensors & Connectors

Automobile steering systems have been continually refined in an effort to make vehicles easy to turn, steer precisely with good road feel, and more comfortable to drive. Power steering greatly decreased the effort needed to steer, especially at low speeds and when parking, rack & pinion steering gear provided better steering response, and the application of electronic controls to create systems like variable assist power steering allowed low speed steering ease to be combined with reduced high-speed sensitivity to increase road feel. Tilt and telescoping steering columns allow the driver to position the steering wheel where it’s most comfortable for driving, and today many tilt & tele columns are power operated. Steering valves, relays, sensors, connectors and related components are small, but indispensable parts of these systems and the components in our collection deliver OE quality at an affordable price.

Power steering pumps contain a flow control valve to prevent pump output from exceeding a preset level. Since it’s driven by the engine, pump speed increases along with engine rpm and if unregulated pressure could become too high. This would be especially undesirable at higher vehicle speed when greater pressure and assist is generally not needed or wanted. When pump pressure reaches the predetermined maximum, the pressure control valve routes fluid back into the pump to control pump output. When parking a vehicle with hydraulic power steering, high power steering pressure puts a load on the engine that could cause it to stall. The power steering pressure switch signals the high pressure condition to the engine control computer, which raises the engine idle speed to handle the load and prevent stalling.

While power steering was embraced by most drivers, it was not well-received by many car enthusiasts who felt that it resulted in overly sensitive steering and poor road feel at higher driving speeds. In response to this, manufacturers “tuned” power steering systems to provide more assist on standard and luxury vehicles and less on performance models. This became much easier to achieve with the advent of electronic systems that use input from the vehicle speed sensor and a steering wheel rotation sensor provided to an electronic controller, which in turn manipulates a control valve in the power steering pump to vary output flow. Steering wheel rotation sensors indicate the rate at which the steering wheel is being turned, with assist being increased if the wheel turns quickly, such as when swerving to avoid and obstacle. Input to a control module from the steering wheel angle sensor is combined with input from yaw and ABS wheel speed sensors in the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, which then applies individual brakes to prevent the loss of vehicle control.

The tilt and telescoping functions on many vehicles are power operated. This allows the driver to extend or retract and raise or lower the steering column and wheel with the touch of a button. The switch connects to a control module, which operates an electric motor to move the column in the desired direction. In addition, on many systems the column retracts, and the steering wheel raises to its highest position automatically when the ignition is turned off, to make it easier for the driver to get in and out of the vehicle. The column position selected by the driver is retained in the control module’s memory, enabling the column and wheel to return to that position when the vehicle is restarted.

No matter what you’re working on, we have the replacement steering valves, relays, sensors, switches & connectors to restore steering systems operation. We offer components that are manufactured to original equipment specifications, so when repairs are completed you can count on the steering performance your vehicle was designed to deliver. A scan tool should be used to achieve an accurate diagnosis before electrical components like sensors are replaced, and some vehicles may also require a scan tool for reprogramming or recalibration after component installation.