Hand wheel actuator with steering-feel enhancement

A hand wheel actuator for a steer-by-wire steering system having a steering feel that meets drivers' expectations is provided with a first housing having an aperture, a steering shaft extending through the aperture and rotatably supported by the housing, an electric motor, a position sensor and torque sensor, and a mechanical steering feel enhancement device. The position and torque sensors, are positioned within said first housing and configured to detect the angular displacement of the steering shaft and torque applied against the steering shaft respectively. The mechanical steering feel enhancement device is attached to the first housing and provides at least one of a positive stop function, a return-to-center function, or a friction/weight function by mechanical means. The mechanical steering feel enhancement device is in mechanical communication with said steering shaft and is disposed in a second housing and existing as a separate unitary subassembly prior to being installed on said first housing. The electric motor is mounted to one of the first housing and second housing and has an output shaft that is in mechanical communication with the steering shaft for imparting a torque to the steering shaft.