At a basic level, power steering is a system in a vehicle that reduces the amount of effort necessary to turn the steering wheel on a vehicle. If power assist is not in place, steering a vehicle requires brute force, especially when traveling at lower speeds like pulling into a parking place or driveway.
The History of Power Steering
The very first power steering system was fitted on a vehicle in 1951. The vehicle was the Chrysler Imperial and competitors quickly fell in line, offering the same options. Today, older vehicle owners utilize a Power Steering Conversion Kit to provide this appealing feature.
Not only did the power steering system do the obvious, but it allowed the driver to steer a heavy vehicle with less effort and improved comfort. However, it also helped engineers improve the steering response, which is how fast the vehicle can change direction when the driver turns the wheel.
Today, vehicles that still have manual systems can be changed using a Power Steering Conversion Kit, which is a great way to Upgrade your classic with power steering.
Options before Power Assist
Before power assist was widely available, the vehicle’s steering systems had to be designed so it took many turns of the wheel to make a tight turn or to park. The slow gearing provided drivers with additional leverage against the higher effort needed to steer the front wheels of the vehicle.
How Power Steering Has Evolved Today
Some of the best quality vehicles, the ones that steer the easiest – those lightweight sports cars – do not have a power-steering assist, like the Acura NSX introduced in the early portion of the 1990s. However, these cars were able to have this type of design because they did not weigh as much, and the tiers were somewhat narrow. However, it was still somewhat of a chore to turn the wheels in these vehicles while it was moving very slow or stopped.
Converting to a Power Steering System
If someone has a classic vehicle that does not have this power assist technology, there are an array of kits and options available to make the needed change. Many aftermarket parts companies offer this, including Tuckers Classic Auto Parts. Here, it is possible to find the parts and conversion kits needed to ensure the desired results are achieved. Being informed and knowing what to expect are the best ways to handle the conversion of a classic vehicle.
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