On Renault Duster vehicles a steering with a steering mechanism of the rack-and-pinion type and a power steering is installed
The steering drive consists of two tie rods, connected by ball joints to the levers of the steering knuckles of the front suspension
The steering mechanism is installed on the subframe of the front suspension and secured to it by two bolts.
In the housing of the steering mechanism the rack is pressed against the pinion shaft by a spring through a stop.
The adjustment of the lateral clearance between the pinion and the rack is carried out by turning the adjustment plug which presses the spring.
The adjustment is carried out during the assembly of the steering mechanism at the factory.
The steering drive consists of two tie rods, connected to the rack of the steering mechanism and the levers of the steering knuckles.
Each rod is secured by its inner end to the steering rack through a non-demountable ball joint — the threaded end piece of the joint is screwed into the opening of the rack.
In the middle part of the tie rod a hexagon for a «13» spanner is made, and at the outer end — a thread, onto which the end of the rod is screwed.
In the tie rod end there is a non-demountable ball joint, not requiring replenishment of the supply of lubricant, laid inside it for the whole service life.
The right and left tie rods are the same, but the ends are different.
The connection of the rack of the steering mechanism and the ball joint of the tie rod is protected from dirt and moisture by a corrugated rubber boot.
The boot is secured by a steel single-use clip on the housing of the steering mechanism, and on the tie rod the boot is held by a spring clip — in this case the narrow band of the boot must coincide with the groove made on the tie rod.
The shaft of the steering column is secured to the pinion shaft of the steering mechanism through an intermediate shaft with two cardan joints.
On the splines in the upper part of the shaft of the steering column the steering wheel is installed, secured by a screw.
The steering column is attached to the bracket of the crossmember located under the instrument panel.
Into the system of the power steering enter: the steering mechanism, the pump, the radiator for cooling the working liquid, the reservoir for the working liquid and the connecting pipes of the lines.
The pump is rotated by a belt from the drive pulley of the auxiliary units.
The hydraulic liquid from the reservoir enters the pump, and from it is supplied under high pressure to the distribution device, located in the housing of the steering mechanism and mechanically connected to the shaft of the steering column.
On the toothed rack of the steering mechanism the piston of the hydraulic cylinder is secured.
When the steering wheel is turned, the distribution device connects one of the chambers of the hydraulic cylinder with the pressure line of the pump, and the other chamber — with the return.
In this case the piston of the hydraulic cylinder, due to the pressure difference of the working liquid, moves the rack to the left or to the right and, through the tie rods and the levers of the knuckles, turns the steered wheels of the vehicle.
Into the return line of the power steering a radiator for cooling the working liquid is integrated.
The radiator is located behind the front bumper — secured on the subframe of the front suspension in front of the air conditioning condenser and the radiator of the cooling system.
In the event of failure of the hydraulic power steering, the possibility of controlling the vehicle is preserved, but the effort on the steering wheel increases.
The power steering reservoir is installed in the engine compartment — secured by a clip on the shroud of the radiator fan.
For monitoring the liquid level, on the semi-transparent housing of the reservoir the marks MIN and MAX are applied.
Possible faults of the steering and methods of remedy
- Cause of the fault - Method of remedy
Increased free play of the steering wheel and knocks in the steering:
- - Loosening of the tightening of the bolts securing the steering mechanism - Tighten the bolts
- - Wear of the ball joints of the tie rods - Replace the joints
- - Wear of the cardan joint of the steering shaft - Replace the steering shaft
Difficult rotation of the steering wheel:
- - Slipping of the drive belt of the power steering pump - Replace the belt
- - Damage to the drive belt of the pump - Replace the belt
- - Insufficient level of the working liquid - Restore the level to normal
- - Entry of air into the hydraulic system - Remove the air
- - Twisting or damage of the hoses - Eliminate the twisting or replace the hoses
- - Insufficient pressure of the power steering pump - Replace the pump
- - Increased internal leaks in the pump - Replace the pump
- - Leaks of liquid from the steering mechanism - Replace the defective parts
Indistinct return of the steering wheel to the middle position:
- - Difficult turning of the inner joints or the joints of the ends of the tie rods - Replace the tie rod ends
- - Deformation of the rack of the steering mechanism - Replace the steering mechanism
- - Damage to the bearing of the pinion - Replace the steering mechanism
- - Twisting or damage of the hoses of the power steering - Eliminate the twisting or replace the hoses
- - Damage to the pressure control valve - Replace the pressure control valve
- - Damage to the bearing of the rotor journal of the pump - Replace the pump
Noise (knock) in the steering:
- - Loosening of the tightening of the bolts securing the steering mechanism - Tighten the bolts
- - Loosening of the securing of the tie rods or of the ball joints of the rod ends - Tighten the nuts
- - Wear of the ball joints - Replace the worn parts
Increased noise of the power steering pump:
- - Insufficient level of the working liquid - Restore the liquid level to normal
- - Entry of air into the hydraulic system - Remove the air
- - Loosening of the tightening of the bolts securing the pump - Tighten the bolts
