Neutral Position

With no movement of the steering wheel being applied, the slots in the outer sleeve and the input shaft are so aligned that the fluid flows across the valve unit with minimal restriction. Some pressure is applied to the full area port and the annulus port which in turn is felt at either side of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder. With the forces approximately equal on each side of the cylinder, the steering remains in the neutral position. Fluid delivered from the PAS pump is returned from the valve unit via the fluid cooler back to the reservoir. With minimal restriction across the valve unit and through the return hose, the pressure applied to each side of the piston is very low.