Steering System - Power: Description

Steering system is a power-assisted rack and pinion. The system consists of a rack and pinion steering gear and power assist pump/reservoir. The rack acts as a double acting hydraulic piston and moves the front tie rods. A spool valve in the pinion valve body directs hydraulic pressure through external lines to the rack assembly. The pinion bearings ride in oval shaped bores which monitor steering effort and control pressure assist. The steering gear and pump/reservoir are connected by flexible hoses.

The fluid in the pump is compressed by a rotor and vanes and is forced into the steering gear. If pump pressure exceeds the limits of the system, a relief valve opens and returns part of the fluid to the inlet side of the pump. A pressure sensitive switch is located on the pump which signals the engine idle speed solenoid to increase idle speed when pump pressure is to low for steering assist.