Description & Operation
Steering gear is a variable ratio, recirculating ball-type which acts as a rolling thread between worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is supported at lower end by a thrust bearing with 2 races. It is supported at upper end by a bearing assembly in the adjuster plug. Control valves, located inside steering gear housing, direct power steering fluid to either side of rack piston. See Fig 1 .
Steering linkage connects steering gear to front wheels through pitman arm. Steering linkage consists of pitman arm, idler arm, relay rod and tie rods. See Fig 2 -5. Tie rod ends connect to relay rod by ball studs. Adjuster tubes between inner and outer tie rod ends are used to adjust toe. Some models have a shock absorber attached to relay rod.
Two different types of vane-type power steering pumps are used. The Model "P" pump is mounted inside reservoir. See Figure . The Model "CB" pump is mounted below reservoir. See Figure . On both models, vanes are driven by a rotor and move fluid from intake to pressure cavities of pump ring.