System overview: Notes
- Power steering fluid reservoir
- Power steering pump
- Control valve
- Servo cylinder
The power-assisted steering gear is of the rack-and-pinion type consisting of control valve and servo cylinder in a common housing. Together with the power steering pump and power steering fluid reservoir, these are the main components of the system.
Power steering fluid is pumped from the power steering pump to the control valve where, depending on which way the steering wheel is turned, it is directed to either the right or the left side of the servo cylinder. The steering servo fluid inside the cylinder acts on the rack's piston, thus providing power assistance to the rack-and-pinion steering gear.
The mechanical components of the steering gear are lubricated by high-viscosity grease and sealed from the hydraulic circuit and other parts of the system by seals and rubber gaiters.