Power Steering Reservoirs

When it was first introduced on passenger cars in the early 1950s, power steering was considered a luxury feature, and in fact the first cars to be so equipped were the top-of-the-line Chrysler Imperial in 1951, followed by Cadillac in 1952. Today, however, power steering has become indispensable on almost all vehicles. It makes parking and other low speed driving maneuvers much easier, especially on heavy pickups and SUVs. Electronic power steering has been gradually replacing hydraulic power steering, but the majority of older vehicles are equipped with hydraulic systems consisting of the steering gear, an engine-driven power steering pump, a power steering fluid cooler depending on application, the hoses and lines that conduct the hydraulic fluid between the components in the system, and the power steering reservoir that holds an ample supply of fluid for the system to function properly.

On most older vehicles the power steering fluid reservoir was an integral part of the power steering pump. But as vehicles became more complex with options, accessories and emission controls, it became difficult to access the power steering pump for fluid level checks and adding fluid, in increasingly cluttered engine compartments. Remote fluid reservoirs were the solution. They’re service friendly and mounted where it’s simple to check and add fluid. In a remote reservoir system, the return hose/line from the power steering gear is connected to the reservoir (via a power steering cooler if equipped) and the supply hose/line runs from the reservoir to the pump. Most power steering reservoirs are made of plastic and many are translucent with graduations molded into the reservoir indicating the proper cold and hot fluid level, allowing the fluid to be checked at a glance. The fluid level on other remote reservoirs and all integral reservoirs is checked with a dipstick that is part of the reservoir cap.

The power steering pump is driven by the crankshaft via a belt. A high-pressure hydraulic hose conducts fluid pressure from the pump to the steering gear control valve. When the vehicle is driven straight ahead and the steering wheel is centered, the control valve applies equal pressure to both sides of a hydraulic cylinder piston, which may be within the steering gear or in linkage-type power steering systems, a separate component. When the steering wheel is turned, the control valve directs fluid pressure to one side of the piston, providing power assist in the direction of the turn. Without a sufficient quantity of fluid, the pump can’t develop enough pressure for power assist, and steering will become very difficult.

Lack of power assist is most often due to fluid loss caused by a leak. The entire system – pump, steering gear, cooler, hoses and reservoir should be visually inspected. A whining noise coming from the pump could be caused by low fluid level from a leak or it may be an indication of a failing power steering pump if the fluid level is OK. Check the power steering reservoir for cracks and any signs of leakage. These components are generally reliable but plastic reservoir housings can deteriorate due to age, vibration and repeated heat cycling. They can also become discolored, making it hard to judge the fluid level accurately. The condition of the reservoir gasket, cap, and dipstick should also be checked.

No matter what your repair needs are or what you’re working on, we have the replacement power steering reservoir to restore safe, predictable, and easy power steering system operation without leaks. We offer power steering reservoirs that are manufactured to original equipment specifications, so when repairs are completed you can count on the power steering performance your vehicle was designed to deliver. In addition to an extensive selection of reservoirs, we also offer a large collection of replacement reservoir caps, cap/dipsticks, gaskets, brackets, and clips.