A218460560080 Mercedes Benz W218 Electronic Steering Rack

What is Electric Power Steering Rack and How it Works?

What is power rack steering? The steering rack is composed of a rack enclosed with a steering pinion. It is connected to the steering wheel through the set of shafts and U-joints. A power steering rack utilizes an engine-driven pump to supply high-pressure hydraulic fluid to the steering rack when the wheel is turned.

Benefits of electronic steering gear

Pros #1: Improves fuel economy
A traditional hydraulic power steering uses a steering pump that is driven by an engine belt.

The moment you start your car engine, the steering pump starts running regardless whether you are turning the steering wheel or not.

This drains your car engine power, which means you get less bang for your petrol bill.

As opposed to the hydraulic power steering, an electric power steering only activate when necessary.

When you turn, the sensors tells the ECU that you need help turning the car. The ECU will then orders the motor to turn.

When you are not turning, the electric power steering parts will just stay put.
Yes, you do need more electric power from your battery and your car alternator now to keep these components powered up.

But cumulatively speaking, it’s a lot less wastage compared to the old hydraulic way!

An electric power steering improves the fuel economy by up to 2% compared to their hydraulic counterpart.

Pros #2: No more leaks and no more topping up steering fluids!

Because electric power steering no longer requires hydraulic to provide the power assist, we can get rid of steering pump, hoses, and steering fluid altogether. This takes away one common power steering rack problem – fluid leaks!
Gone were the days that you have to top up steering fluids too.

Pros #3: Programmability – Limitless potential
As an electronic and computer-controlled device, we are not limited by the nature of hydraulic systems.
Theoretically, we can use electronics to monitor everything and help us make well-informed decisions. If we don’t like a certain thing, we can fine tune them through programming.