Power Steering Pump: Description and Operation

The major components of the power steering pump are the driveshaft, pump housing, pump ring, pressure plate, thrust plate, flow control valve, rotor and vanes. There is an opening at the rear of the pump housing. This opening contains the pump ring, pressure plate, thrust plate, rotor, vanes and end plate. A small opening on the side of the housing contains the pressure line fitting, flow control valve, and spring. The flow control orifice is part of the pressure line fitting. A pressure relief valve inside the flow control valve limits pump pressure.