Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Steering Gear - Power: Description
The power rack and pinion steering system has a rotary control valve which directs hydraulic fluid to either side of rack piston. Rack piston is integral with rack gear and converts hydraulic pressure to linear force. This force assists rack gear to move either left or right.
If hydraulic assist is not available, manual control of steering is still maintained. However, without hydraulic assist, an increase in steering effort can be expected. Power rack and pinion steering gear consists of an input pinion gear, a steering rack gear, a tube housing and a rotary valve assembly.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.