Steering: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
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 to the gear. The internal calibration gives the driver a more firm feel at the steering wheel. It is serviced the same as the standard steering gear.
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 provided 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

OPERATION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lateral (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth within the steering gear. This lateral travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
Power assist steering is provided by a belt-driven rotary type pump. It directs fluid through power steering hoses to the power steering gear where it is used to assist the driver's turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be maintained if power steering assist is lost. However, under this condition, steering effort is significantly increased.

WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE COMPONENTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING. DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED HOSES OR DRIVE BELTS. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.

CAUTION:During repair procedures requiring the power steering fluid hoses to be disconnected, cap all open ends of the hose connections. This will prevent the entry of foreign material into the components while the power steering hoses are disconnected.

Caution:If the vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) System, the tire/wheel assembly needs to be reinstalled in the same location it is removed from or the TPM System (sensors) will need to be retrained. Mark each tire/wheel assembly indicating location, prior to its removal. If the tire/wheel assemblies are switched, rotated or replaced, the TPM System needs to be retrained.