Electric Power Steering (EPS) worm gear lubrication
As automotive OEMs and their tier one suppliers work to improve the efficiency of today’s modern vehicle, generally they are moving away from the old hydraulic steering assist to the more advanced electric power steering systems.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) or Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) uses an electric motor to assist the driver when operating the steering. Sensors detect the position and torque of the steering column operation and a computer applies assistive torque via the motor, which connects to either the steering gear or steering column.
The three basic different types of electric power steering:
- Column assist EPS (featured image above)
- Pinion assist EPS
- Rack assist EPS
There are other design types such as direct drive assist and offset ball screw but this is only intended as a brief introductory article about EPS worm gear lubrication.
In most Electric Power Steering (EPS) worm gears our Rheolube 363F grease has a superb pedigree with a number of tier one steering system manufacturers; over the last 20 years 363F has become the ‘go to’ grease for this demanding application. Rheolube 363F is a lightweight synthetic hydrocarbon grease with an advanced additive package that reduces low temperature torque and friction in the system while also providing wear protection and vibrational damping.
Rheolube 363F
- Recommended temperature range of -50 to 125°C
- The ‘go to’ worm gear grease for the majority of automotive customers – widely used and the most cost effective product.
- Polyalphaolefin base oil.
- Lithium soap thickened.
- PTFE fortified.
- Strong additive package.
- Excellent cost/performance balance for larger volume applications.
- NLGI grade 2.
Why not take a look at our article Reducing noise in steering column splines.
