STEERING
DESCRIPTION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
This vehicle comes with power steering as standard equipment and it is the only steering system available. The power steering system consists of these major components:
- Power Steering Pump
- Power Steering Gear
- Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
- Power Steering Fluid Pressure Hose
- Power Steering Fluid Return Hose
- Power Steering Fluid Cooler
For information on the first two components, refer to their respective sections within this service manual group. Information on the remaining components can be found in Power Steering Pump.
OPERATION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
Turning of the steering wheel is converted into linear (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth within the steering gear. The 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 fluid 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.