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Power steering pumps: how to choose

The pump supplies the hydraulic assist. More is not automatically better: it has to match the gear.

Power steering fluid reservoir cap on a Jeep engine
Power steering reservoir on an engine. Use the fluid your maker specifies. Photo: CZmarlin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Match flow and pressure

TRW's maintenance guide and a manufacturer bulletin filed with NHTSA both tie steering performance to correct pump flow and relief pressure for the gear. We don't list numbers because they differ by vehicle. Get them from the gear or vehicle maker.

What to compare

  • Exact fitment: pulley, mounting, reservoir type and fittings.
  • Whether your truck also runs hydraulic brake assist (hydro-boost) or a steering cooler from the same pump.
  • Hoses rated for the system pressure, and the fluid type the maker specifies.
  • Bleeding procedure. Air in the system causes noise and poor assist.

Questions

Will a high-flow pump fix heavy steering?

Not by itself, and too much flow or pressure for the gear can cause problems. Find the cause first, and match any pump to the gear maker's spec.

Where this comes from

Last reviewed 2026-10-19. General information only: your vehicle and part maker's instructions come first.