The power steering system is of a rack and pinion design. The major components are the steering wheel, steering column, intermediate steering shaft, power steering gear, tie rod ends, steering knuckles, power steering hoses, pump and reservoir.
The front wheels are steered by a powered rack and pinion steering system in the following manner: Steering is inputted by the driver by turning the steering wheel, causing the steering column shaft to turn. The steering column shaft turns the intermediate steering shaft, witch inputs the drivers intent to the steering gear. The input shaft of the steering gear controls a rotary spool valve in the power steering gear. Pressurized power steering fluid is supplied to the rotary spool valve by an engine mounted, belt driven power steering pump. The power steering fluid exits the pump through a power steering pressure hose and directed to the spool valve. The fluid then exits the spool valve through one of two paths, depending on the direction the wheel is being turned. If the wheel is turned to the clockwise, the spool valve will direct fluid to the right side of the power steering gear integral rack piston. Fluid pressure applied to the right side of the rack pinion will assist the rack in turning the wheels to the right. The opposite occurs when the steering wheel is turned counterclockwise. Power steering fluid is then returned to the power steering reservoir through a power steering return hose. The power steering reservoir then resupplies the pump as the need for steering is required.