Steering: Description and Operation

A turn of the steering wheel is converted into linear travel through the meshing of the spur pinion teeth with the rack teeth. Power assist steering is provided by an open center, rotary type control valve. It is used to direct oil from the power steering pump to either side of the integral steering rack piston.
This vehicle is available with 3 different types of power steering. They are standard, firm-feel, or speed-sensitive variable-effort (speed-proportional) power steering.
The firm-feel steering gear is physically the same as the standard gear used on some models. The difference is internal. The internal calibration gives the driver a more firm feel at the steering wheel.

The speed-sensitive variable-effort power steering system, better known as speed-proportional steering, is an electronically controlled, variable-effort type power steering system. The steering gear has an externally mounted control valve which in conjunction with mechanical components varies steering effort at different vehicle speeds. At low speeds lower steering effort is needed to allow ease in steering and parking. At higher speeds, higher effort is provided to give a more firm, responsive steering feel.
The power steering system consists of these major components:
- POWER STEERING PUMP
- POWER STEERING GEAR
- POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR
- POWER STEERING FLUID SUPPLY HOSE
- POWER STEERING FLUID PRESSURE HOSE
- POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN HOSE
- POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER