Power Steering Gear Description

The power steering gear is a rack and pinion type system, the rack and the pinion are the two components that convert steering wheel rotation to lateral movement. The steering shaft is attached to the pinion in the steering gear. The pinion rotates with the steering wheel. Gear teeth on the pinion mesh with gear teeth on the rack. The rotating pinion moves the rack from side to side. The steering gear contains a valve assembly that regulates the incoming fluid to the right and left chambers in order to assist in right and left turns. Turning the steering wheel partially rotates the valve assembly, which applies greater fluid pressure and flow to one side of the rack piston, and lower pressure and flow to the other side of the rack piston. The pressure assists the lateral movement of the rack. The lateral action of the rack pushes and pulls the tie rods in order to change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.