Power Steering Gear

Power Steering Gear:

This vehicle is equipped with a rack-and-pinion power steering gear. The power steering gear operates as follows: Turning of the steering wheel is converted into linear travel through the meshing of the helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth of the gear. Power assist steering provided by a pump is controlled by an open-center rotary control valve that directs fluid to either side of the integral rack piston.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion bar which initially steers the vehicle. This movement directs oil behind the integral rack piston, which, in turn, builds up hydraulic pressure and assists in the turning effort.
The drive tangs on the pinion of the power steering gear mate loosely with a stub shaft. This is to permit manual steering control to be maintained if the drive belt on the power steering pump should break. However, under these conditions, steering effort will be increased.

NOTE: The power steering gear should not be serviced or adjusted. If a malfunction or oil leak occurs within the steering gear, the complete steering gear needs to be replaced.

The gear is a center take-off type gear. Center take-off means that the tie rods are connected to the steering gear via a rack guide located at the center of the gear.
The power steering gear is mounted on the front crossmember. The outer ends of the outer tie rods attach to steering arms on the front struts.
Three different power steering gears are available: a base gear, a firm feel gear, and a speed proportional gear. The base gear and firm feel gear are serviced the same.