Oil seal (page 335)

Seal Construction

Seals (sealing rings) of power steering are used to seal the steering rack housing in places where mobile steering control elements - rod or shaft - exit. On one side, the seal prevents the hydraulic system working fluid from leaking out, and on the other hand, it prevents moisture, dust, and dirt from penetrating inside. The seal ring's fitting density directly affects the performance and longevity of the rack as a whole.

The sealing ring, or cuff, consists of three surfaces: Internal. The most critical part, as the inner edge contacts moving surfaces. The inner edge must be made of elastic, but simultaneously dense material. Depending on the seal design, there can be one or several such edges. External. It sits in the steering rack housing. Can be smooth or ribbed. End. A flat part of the detail that helps the ring sit more tightly in the mechanism.

Diameter, thickness, and structural features of the sealing rings must precisely correspond to the dimensions and characteristics of the steering rack in which they are used.

Since power steering seals have to deal with a housing filled with hydraulic fluid, they must be made of oil and gasoline-resistant materials. Most often, butadiene-nitrile rubber is used for this purpose.

Types of Sealing Rings

Like other cuffs, power steering seals can be divided into two groups:

• frameless;
• with reinforcing frame.

The first type is structurally simpler. It is an elastic ring made of polymer, inside which a spring of twisted steel is placed. It ensures tight fitting of the seal's working edges to the surface.

Framed cuffs are reinforced with an external metal body to increase strength and rigidity. The external surface of such seals can be partially or completely covered with rubber, smooth or ribbed.

Why Choose Our Sealing Rings

The consequences of using low-quality power steering seals can be disproportionately large compared to the initial savings on this inexpensive gasket. Violation of the steering rack's tightness can cause expensive repairs. Therefore, sealing rings, like other car parts, are better bought from proven places. The STS.Parts store strictly monitors the quality of the parts it sells and offers only the best products at moderate prices.