Location of steering components
1. Horn cover; 2. Locknuts; 3. Steering wheel; 4. Screws; 5. Steering column covers; 6. Harness connections; 7. Screws; 8. Bottom panel; 9. Air duct; 10. Combination switch; 11. Bolt; 12. Nuts; 13. Bolts; 14. Steering shaft and steering column lock assembly; 15. Bolt; 16. Cabin insulator; 17. Nuts; 18. Intermediate howl; 19. Steering column lock
All models are equipped with rack and pinion steering. The components that make up this system are the steering wheel, steering column, intermediate shaft, rack and pinion assembly, tie rods and steering knuckles. In addition, the power steering system also uses a belt-driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure.
In a manual system, the rotational motion of the steering wheel is transmitted through the steering column and intermediate shaft to the output shaft in the rack and pinion assembly. The teeth on the output shaft are locked with the teeth on the rack, so as the shaft rotates, the rack moves left or right in the rack and pinion housing. Attached to each end of the rack are connecting rods, which in turn are attached to the steering knuckles on the front wheels. This movement of the rack left and right is the direct force that turns the wheels.
A power steering system operates essentially the same as a manual system, except that the power rack and pinion system uses hydraulic pressure to increase the direct force acting on the steering wheel. A rotary control valve in the rack and pinion assembly directs hydraulic fluid from the power steering pump to either side of the rack piston assembly, which is attached to the rack. Depending on which side of the piston this hydraulic pressure is applied to, the rack will move either left or right, moving the connecting rods, etc.
If the power steering system loses hydraulic pressure, it will still function manually, although with some increased effort.
The steering column is a collapsible, energy-absorbing type, designed to compress the front end in the event of a collision to minimize damage to the driver. The steering column also houses the ignition switch, key, warning buzzer, turn signal control unit, headlight switch control and windshield wiper control. The ignition and steering wheel can be locked while the vehicle is parked to prevent theft.
Due to the split type of steering column, it is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts are used as designated and that they are tightened to the specified torque Specification. Other precautions relating to this project are noted in the relevant Chapters.
In addition to the standard steering column, an optional tilt steering column is also available.
Because steering column disassembly is performed more often to rebuild a switch or other electrical component than to repair the steering, some steering column disassembly and repair procedures are included in Section 12.