EPS and HPS steering rack repair tools

Modern vehicles are equipped with power-assisted steering: for more than twenty years passenger cars have been fitted with electric power steering (EPS), while hydraulic power steering (HPS) was widely used before that. When a steering rack or pump fails, the unit is most often repaired, as this is far more affordable than buying a new one. That is why EPS and HPS steering rack repair services are in high demand.

Although vehicle manufacturers do not officially authorize steering gear repairs, citing road safety concerns, with a qualified approach any steering rack can be restored to like-new condition without the slightest risk to vehicle safety. Steering system repair is a complex process that only experienced mechanics can handle. Yet however skilled the technician may be, they need special professional tools - the speed and quality of the work directly depend on the quality and reliability of the tools used.

MSG Equipment has extensive experience in developing and manufacturing special tools for steering system repair. Over the years, the company’s R&D department has created a full range of professional tools for servicing hydraulic steering racks, power steering pumps and EPS racks. The catalog features wrenches and fixtures that preserve the integrity of steering components during installation and removal and suit vehicles of all makes and models.

Specialized wrenches for EPS and HPS steering rack repair

The MSG Equipment range includes various types of specialized wrenches for working with electric and hydraulic power steering racks:

• Straight crown wrenches (SC) - used to remove, install and adjust the side preload nut, as well as the worm mechanism’s lower nut of the steering rack
• Reverse crown wrenches (RC) - used to adjust, remove and install the side preload nut of the steering rack
• Sun wrenches (S) - designed to remove and install the side preload lock nut on hydraulic racks, and to hold the ball screw drive pulley in place while loosening the bearing lock nut
• Pin wrenches (P) - intended for removing and installing the steering rack support bushing
• Outer polygon wrenches (PO) - used for working with the worm mechanism’s upper nut
• Inner polygon wrenches (PI) - designed for removing and installing the ball screw coupling bearing lock nut
• External (OS) and internal (IS) star wrenches - used to adjust the side preload nut and remove the worm mechanism’s nut

Also worth highlighting is the universal hydraulic steering rack wrench set, which includes three types of wrenches: internal hex, external hex and external square. The set suits most vehicle models.

Tools for electric power steering (EPS) rack repair

In addition to specialized wrenches, high-quality EPS rack repair requires universal tools and fixtures:

• Torque sensor pullers for electric steering rack worm shafts - keep both the rack and the sensor intact when removing the rotor position sensor
• Tool sets for installing/removing electric steering rack motor pulleys - allow the work to be done without damaging unit components
• Ball screw drive pulley adapters - protect the pulley from damage during removal

Tools for hydraulic power steering (HPS) repair

For servicing hydraulic steering racks, steering gears and power steering pumps, the catalog offers:

• Pullers and lead screws for power steering pump drive pulleys - preserve the integrity of the pulley during removal
• Hub pullers and tool sets for installing power steering pump hubs and pulleys - ensure component integrity, precise positioning and easy installation
• Pullers for bearings in steering gear housings and for lower inner needle bearings - provide a secure grip and minimize time and effort
• Collet pullers for seals from steering cylinders and rotary valve housings - allow seals to be extracted without damaging the housing
• Teflon ring installation tools for hydraulic steering rack control valves - ensure proper shrinking of the sealing rings after installation
• Fitting kits for testing power steering pumps and steering racks on a test bench - ensure a reliable connection to diagnostic equipment
• Tooling for steering gear disassembly/assembly

We would also like to point out that measurement tools for determining the internal diameter of rubber rings (from 5 to 95 mm) are available from us.

Using special tools greatly simplifies steering rack disassembly and reassembly and minimizes the risk of damage to the components of the mechanism. Each tool is designed with the specific features of particular EPS and HPS steering rack models in mind.

Recommendations for using special tools

When working with special tools for EPS and HPS repair, the following rules must be observed:

• Do not subject the tool to impact loads
• Do not heat the tool above 250 °C

Correct selection and use of special power steering tools allows repairs to be completed quickly and to a high standard, preserving the integrity of all components of the mechanism for further use.

How to order steering rack repair tools

Our specialists will help you select the right MSG Equipment tools for your specific list of vehicles. Please note that the MSG Equipment training center runs courses on EPS and HPS steering rack repair.

To purchase special tools for power steering repair, contact us by phone using the numbers listed on the Contacts page.