Electrical-Assist Power Steering Rack

Published November 6, 2006

This is the electrical-assist power steering rack. Since the internal combustion engine does not run all the time, a conventional hydraulic-assist power steering rack with a belt-driven pump will not work for the Insight or other hybrids. This unit is made by Showa, a subsidiary of Honda which makes many suspension and steering parts for Honda cars. These electric servo power steering racks have been on the Insights since 2001, and I have not heard of any failures. The first couple years of the first generation of the Toyota Prius had problems with their electric racks, as well as their steering control computers. But the problems seem to have been ironed out in later years.