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.
Description & Operation
Steering gear is a variable ratio, recirculating ball-type which acts as a rolling thread between worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is supported at the lower end by a thrust bearing with 2 races. It is supported at the upper end by a bearing assembly in the adjuster plug. Control valves, located inside steering gear housing, direct power steering fluid to either side of rack piston. See Fig 1 .
Steering linkage connects steering gear to front wheels through pitman arm. Steering linkage consists of pitman arm, idler arm, relay rod and tie rods. See Fig 2 -12. Tie rod ends connect to relay rod by ball studs. Adjuster tubes between inner and outer tie rod ends are used to adjust toe. Some models have a shock absorber attached to relay rod.
Two different types of vane-type power steering pumps are used. The Model "P" pump is mounted inside the reservoir. See Figure . The Model "TC" pump is mounted below the reservoir. See Figure . On both models, the vanes are driven by a rotor and move fluid from the intake to the pressure cavities of pump ring.
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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.