Service Maintenance and Repair ROI_October 2021

AROUND THE WHEEL

GEAR CABLES To go alongside the extensive range of brake pads, calipers, disc and other braking parts, Pagid also offers matching Gear Change Cables. Constructed using Push-Pull technology, which prevents the cable from stretching and losing strength in the transmission manual gearbox.

POWER STEERING - REASONS FOR FLUSHING

The main reasons for flushing the system on all power steering systems is that the fluid becomes contaminated during regular use, and the contamination will cause premature failure of hydraulic seals under pressure. Originally steering racks and pumps were made from hardened steel and would usually wear from the outside in, the steel steering rack and pumps are very heavy due to the structure of manufacture. As car manufacturers started exploring new materials to ultimately make the vehicle lighter, they generally switched to aluminium housed steering racks and pumps – a shift in failure became apparent as the lighter and softer metal would now wear from the inside out. The usual colour of hydraulic fluid is red (ATF) or clear or light coloured for the mineral based fluids, however, generally the fluid in a used steering rack quickly becomes a dirty grey colour. The grey colouring is caused by tiny particles of aluminium that have worn from the inside of the steering housings (particularly in the pump body and the pinion housing of the rack) – these particles are always the main failure cause of any power steering system. When the car is sat between use, the aluminium particles all sit at the bottom of the pump reservoir, or the bottom of a pipe, or body of the pump etc. As soon as the vehicle is turned on, they become live and active in the fluid again. As the particles move around the body of the pump and rack at high speed, they are like little pins or needles as they hit the face of a rubber seal – which can cause the seal to break as they cut the rubber under pressure. The fluid would usually flow at 8 litres per minute through small channels and pipes (up to 6mm in diameter) and at anything between 80 and 120 bar pressure, so the particles aren’t lightly grazing past a seal, but are hitting it with force every time. Ideally, a power steering flush should always be part of a service, such is the need. Another cause is from the particles that sit dormant when the vehicle is switched off, and as soon as the vehicle is started, they can cause scoring marks or scratches to vital areas of the steering pumps such as the pressure plates or pressure relief valve. These can also congeal

together in the same areas and almost bond to the internal components of the steering pump as the pressure is so great and the turning speed is so fast and hot. If a pressure plate becomes scored or scratched, it results in a drop of pressure for the pump and it can no longer perform to its optimum capacity.

There are two cables: The Shift Cable is used for fore and aft movement and the Select Cable is used for side-to-side movement of the gear lever. Automatic Gearbox, there is one Shift cable sending the guidelines High-quality push and pull wire and specially engineered plastic material highly resistant to corrosion and friction. If you have a need to replace gear cables, LKQ Euro Car parts has over 400+ Pagid active references in stock included LCV application.

In effect, it causes an internal bleed and pressure will drop from 80 bar to 50 bar and lower, which becomes a steady decline to full failure. If the pressure relief valve gets scored or scratched or an accumulation of aluminium particles build up in this area, it affects mainly the performance of a steering pump under low revs. I.e. in a car park when turning out of a difficult spot, or when the vehicle is first turned on. What happens is the pressure relief valve sticks in its housing when the revs are below 2000 rpm – as you rev more, the pressure valve is able to force its way past the debris in the fluid, but every time it moves, it causes more damage to the internal housing of the pump, thus creating more particles in the system and permanent failure. When bleeding the system, it cannot just be a draining and re-filling of the fluid, because the sediment caused by the particles, will sit at the bottom of every component, or in the nooks and crannies of the steering pump and rack. As soon as you re-fill the system, they will become live again. Bleeding the system needs to be flushing the system fully – running fluid through under pressure with the return pipe to the reservoir into a bucket to collect the waste. When the fluid runs through completely clean again, then couple up the return hose again and fill up the system.

Exclusive to LKQ Euro Car Parts

Clean brakes made easy with pagid Why use brake cleaner? Pagid brake cleaner can be directly applied without parts removal and helps prevent dust escaping into working environment. Pagid brake cleaner can help overall braking performance and efficiency and importantly, helps restore friction on brake components but can also be used on clutch components. Benefits include: ■ Quickly and effectively remove oil, dirt, brake fluid and dust ■ Quick drying solvent with smear-free effect

■ Reduces brake squeal and sticking ■ Protection against instant rusting ■ Powerful jet spray cleans with ease

■ Pagid – a quality trusted brand ■ Made to an approved formulation ■ Use on all brake parts – drum and discs, linings, pads, springs, cylinders and calipers ■ Use as part of routine maintenance whenever replacing brake components.

SHOP NOW

Find out more on Omnihub