Steering: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION
The power steering system is a rack and pinion type design. The power steering system consists of the following components:
^ Steering column assembly.
^ Steering gear.
^ Front wheel spindle tie rods.
^ Tie rod ends.
^ Power steering pump.
^ Power steering pump reservoir.
^ Power steering pressure (PSP) switch.

^ Interconnecting hydraulic tubes and hoses.
The steering gear has power steering hose connections for the power steering left turn pressure hose and the power steering right turn pressure hose.
The power steering pump draws fluid from the power steering pump reservoir through the power steering reservoir pump hose, compresses the fluid and then pumps it to the steering gear through the power steering pressure hose.

OPERATION
The power steering pump, which is driven by the crankshaft through a drive belt and pulleys, develops the hydraulic pressure necessary to operate the system. The fluid is pressurized by the rotation of the rotor and vanes and forced into the steering gear. Power steering pump output pressure is regulated by a control valve located in the power steering pump housing. When the steering wheel is turned, the steering gear converts this hydraulic pressure and flow into mechanical motion that will move the front wheels in the direction of the turn. The vane type power steering pump draws fluid in from the power steering pump reservoir when the engine is running.