Hydraulic Power Steering


> Steering Products  > Steering Systems

Nexteer Automotive offers a wide range of hydraulic power steering systems, all designed to improve handling, safety and efficiency, including MAGNASTEER™ variable-effort steering and various rack & pinion systems.

MAGNASTEER™ Variable-Effort Steering  View
Using a unique combination of hydraulics, electronics and magnetics, MAGNASTEER™ magnetic-assist steering from Nexteer Automotive has been engineered to provide the continuous speed-sensitive, variable-effort power steering necessary for today’s high-performance vehicles. Instead of using fluid restriction or hydraulic back-pressure, the MAGNASTEER™ system’s variable-effort steering is achieved through non-contact mechanization. This provides smooth power steering from one effort level to another.

Although sophisticated, MAGNASTEER™ has few moving parts, making it exceptionally reliable. At the heart of this Nexteer Automotive system is an electromagnetic device that acts in parallel with the input shaft from the steering wheel, changing the steering effort required to actuate the rotary valve. In turn, the valve applies hydraulic pressure when assistance is needed. The net result is a wide range of steering authority with smooth transition from one effort level to another.

Rack & Pinion (R & P) Steering Gears  View
Nexteer Automotive manufactures both straight ratio and variable ratio rack & pinion steering gears ranging in size from 22 mm to 35 mm. These power-assist rack & pinion steering systems feature low friction and quick response. An open-center, rotary-type valve provides smooth operation throughout the steering range while retaining excellent road feel.

Recirculating Ball (RCB) Steering Gears 
The Nexteer Automotive Power Recirculating Ball Steering Gear provides directional control of a vehicle. An open-centered, rotary-type valve provides smooth operation throughout the steering range while retaining excellent road feel. The integral rack piston converts hydraulic pressure to a rotation force that moves the steering linkage left or right. The steering system and hydraulic fluid also act as a cushion to help absorb road shocks.


Power Steering Pumps and Reservoirs 

Nexteer Automotive’s pumps are designed for most car and light-duty truck applications. We can supply the complete steering pump module, including brackets, reservoirs and pulleys. Nexteer Automotive pumps can be driven by the accessory belt or directly by the engine. A patented “high flow” capability allows hydraulic power — once considered “loss” — to be directed at other hydraulic systems such as hydraulic engine cooling or anti-roll systems.

CB Pump with Direct Intake  View
The Nexteer Automotive CB Pump with Direct Intake was designed specifically for improved pump efficiency at higher pressures to achieve improved steering performance, noise reduction and fuel economy. Nexteer Automotive offers flexible configuration options including right- and left-hand discharge, standard and tangential mounts, and either an integral or remote reservoir.

High Flow Reservoir 
Nexteer Automotive’s high flow reservoir technology allows the steering pump flow rate to be increased by as much as 500 percent. The increased flow rate is accomplished efficiently and without any increase in the noise output of the steering pump. The high flow reservoir is designed for systems with additional flow demands due to hydraulic engine cooling or active steering and suspension packages.

Power Steering Hose Set  View
Nexteer Automotive has a longstanding reputation of expertise in power steering hoses and offers a wide range of products for bundled hoses, pressure hoses, return hoses, coolers and remote reservoir hoses. Its experience in hoses offers a unique advantage to customers, providing a total-system expertise that includes the entire power steering system (steering columns, intermediate shafts, pumps, gears and hoses).

Droop Flow Feature for Power Steering Pumps 
Nexteer Automotive offers two cost-effective droop flow options for power steering pumps — pressure sensitive and non-pressure sensitive. Pressure-sensitive droop flow is a flow control device that operates according to power steering system pressure. At low engine speeds and when the fitting senses a pressure increase (e.g., steering wheel input), power steering flow increases, allowing reduced effort for turning and parking maneuvers. At highway speeds, flow drops or “droops” to a calibrated amount providing fuel economy savings. Non-pressure-sensitive droop flow is also a flow control device but is only dependent on engine speed — low speeds, high flow. As engine speed increases, flow droops to a calibrated amount, again providing fuel economy savings.