Power Steering

Hydraulic systems were first used in the late 1800’s. It didn’t take long before someone thought it would be a good idea to use hydraulics to help steer a 2 ton vehicle. The first systems that were used on cars and trucks proved to be more trouble than they were worth. Rubber and seal technology was terrible in the early days. The cars and trucks of the world were still called horseless carriages and they were generally driven by men.

The power steering systems that you see on modern cars were mostly designed in the 1930’s and first used in production cars in the 1950’s. The systems have been refined since then and the materials and production methods have increased exponentially, but power steering is basically the same now as it has been for about the last 60 years. Some of the newer cars use electric power steering and many of the new cars use sensors to inform the vehicle’s computer system about power steering pressure, but the systems are sill basically the same systems from the 1850’s.

In contrast to the past, the cars and trucks today rely heavily on the power steering system. The systems are made of much better materials. The fittings and lines are far superior to the cars of the past. As the systems have become more reliable, the manufacturers have relied on them more. If the power steering goes out on a modern vehicle, the vehicle will be almost impossible to turn. In early times the cars were all rear wheel drive. Now mostly all of the cars are front wheel drive which is much harder to steer.

Dooley’s Diabolical Diesel repairs cars and trucks in Great Falls, Montana. Since almost all modern cars and trucks have power steering systems, we have done a lot of power steering repairs here in Great Falls, Montana since we’ve opened. Don’t take chances with you or your family’s safety. Have the trained technicians at Dooley’s Diabolical repair your truck when repairs become necessary.