7. SteeringThe steering wheel and steering column are connected to the rack and pinion steering gear by a flexible universal joint shaft. When the steering wheel turns, the steering rack moves the tie rods to turn the wheels. Power-assisted steering operates the same way, except that hydraulic pressure is used to boost the response of the steering gear and reduce steering effort. Fig. 7-1 is an exploded view of the basic steering system without power assist. The steering column connects to the upper end of the universal joint shaft. Wear and excessive play or clearance anywhere in the system will cause sloppy, loose-feeling, and imprecise steering. The steering gearbox itself can be adjusted to compensate for wear. Otherwise, the steering system is serviced only by the replacement of worn parts. Except where specifically noted, sections 7.1 Steering Column and 7.2 Steering Gear and Tie Rods apply to both manual and power-assisted steering. The hydraulic components which are unique to the power-assisted steering system are covered in 7.3 Power-assisted Steering.
If the steering requires excessive effort, or if the steering lacks precision, the steering system may not be to blame. Faulty front suspension strut bearings or other worn front suspension parts may cause or contribute to the problem. Before checking for any suspension or steering problems, check the tires and tire inflation pressures. For more information, see 3. Troubleshooting or 5. Front Suspension. |