What are the types of automotive steering systems?
3 Answers
There are three types of steering systems: mechanical power steering system, electro-hydraulic power steering system, and electric power steering system. Below are the specific details: Mechanical Power Steering System: The mechanical power steering system uses the driver's physical strength as the steering energy source, with all force-transmitting components being mechanical. The mechanical steering system consists of three major parts: the steering control mechanism, the steering gear, and the steering transmission mechanism. Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering System: In the electro-hydraulic power steering system, the steering pump is no longer directly driven by the engine but by an electric motor. Additionally, an electronic control system is installed, making the steering assistance force not only dependent on the steering angle but also on the vehicle speed. Mechanically, hydraulic reaction devices and fluid distribution valves are added, while the new electronic control system includes components such as vehicle speed sensors, solenoid valves, and the steering ECU. Electric Power Steering System: The electric power steering system can provide variable assistance, requiring a complex balance between power and control. It is replacing hydraulic power steering systems as the mainstream steering system in automobiles. Since the electric power steering system does not require engine power, compared to hydraulic power steering, it reduces system weight, decreases fuel consumption by approximately 3%, is more cost-effective, eliminates the hydraulic system, and increases the flexibility of component installation.
I've been in auto repair for over 20 years and have seen all kinds of steering systems. The most basic is mechanical steering, which relies purely on your arm strength—you really have to muscle the steering wheel, like driving a tractor. Then came hydraulic power steering, where an engine-driven pump moves hydraulic fluid to provide assistance, allowing you to steer with one hand. Nowadays, electric power steering (EPS) is mainstream, using an electric motor to assist steering—it's light and fuel-efficient, plus the electronic system can adjust the steering effort based on speed. High-end cars feature steer-by-wire systems, which completely replace mechanical linkages with electronic signals, making the steering wheel almost vibration-free. Oh, and there's also electro-hydraulic power steering, a sort of hybrid solution. From my repair experience, hydraulic systems are prone to oil leaks, while electric ones often have sensor failures. Since this directly relates to safety, any issues must be addressed by professional technicians.
When it comes to modifying cars, steering feel is the top concern. Mechanical steering is practically extinct now—it feels like using gym equipment. The hydraulic power steering systems commonly found in 90s-era cars offer quite direct feedback, but upgrading to larger rims means you'll need to upgrade the oil pump too. Nowadays, the mainstream electric power steering systems make reprogramming incredibly convenient—just tweak the parameters via OBD to adjust the power assist curve. Go too aggressive, and the steering feels floaty; dial it back, and it becomes heavy. Track-focused modders love rack-and-pinion setups for their fixed but highly precise steering ratios. Recently, I saw steer-by-wire systems at a luxury brand exhibition—no mechanical link between the wheel and tires, allowing theoretically customizable steering ratios and force feedback like gaming wheels. However, current failure rates are high, so I'll definitely adopt it once the tech matures in a couple of years.
