Steering a car with a hydraulic booster and a gear-rack type steering mechanism.
The steering drive consists of two steering rods connected by ball joints to the steering knuckle arms.
The steering gear is fixed to the front suspension cross member.
The pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic booster is maintained by a vane-type pump, which is driven by a belt from the engine crankshaft pulley.
The fluid is supplied to the pump and at high pressure to the control valve assembly mounted on the steering box housing and connected to the steering column.
When the steering wheel is turned, the valve mechanism connects one of the cavities of the hydraulic cylinder made in the crankcase of the steering mechanism with a high pressure line, and the second with a pipeline for draining the fluid into the tank.
The gear rack, connected to the piston of the hydraulic cylinder, moves in the steering gear housing under the influence of the gear and the pressure difference in the hydraulic cylinder.
Moving, the rack through the steering rods transfers the force to the steering knuckles, which causes the front wheels of the car to turn.
If the amplifier fails, the ability to control the vehicle remains, but the effort on the steering wheel increases.
A safety steering column is installed on the car with a mechanism for adjusting its position in terms of the angle of inclination.
The upper intermediate shaft is connected to the steering shaft by a cardan joint.
The lower end of the upper intermediate shaft is fixed to the base of the cab through a ball joint.
To the lower end of the upper intermediate shaft with a terminal connection, the plug "B" of the cardan joint of the lower intermediate shaft "A" is attached.
The lower intermediate shaft "A" by a similar terminal connection is attached to the shank "B" of the steering gear shaft.
This design, when the frame deforms during a frontal collision, prevents the steering column from moving further into the cab, reducing the possibility of injury to the driver from hitting the steering wheel.
For additional protection of the driver, the steering shaft is made of two parts, combined into one whole by a splined telescopic connection.
The steering column contains: a switch for instruments and a starter (ignition switch) with an anti-theft device that blocks the steering wheel shaft from turning, as well as controls for headlights, direction indicators, a washer and a windshield wiper, combined into a block of steering column switches.
The power steering reservoir is mounted on a bracket in the front of the engine compartment, on the upper cross member of the radiator frame and is connected by hoses to the power steering pump and the working fluid return line.
To control the liquid level in the tank plug, an indicator (dipstick) is mounted on which level marks are applied.
The tie rods are attached to the steering rack and to the front suspension steering knuckles by ball joints.
The tie rods are secured against turning in the tips with lock nuts.
The toe-in of the steered wheels is adjusted by rotating the steering rod in the tip.
Possible steering faults and remedies
Cause of malfunction (Remedy)
Increased steering wheel play and steering knocks:
- Loosening the bolts and nuts of the steering gear
Tighten the bolts and nuts
- Wear of the ball joints of the steering rods
Replace Outer Lugs or Rod Assemblies
- Wear of cardan joints of intermediate shafts
Replace the intermediate shaft
Difficulty turning the steering wheel (insufficient power):
- Slipping of the power steering pump drive belt
Replace the belt
- Damage to the pump drive belt
Replace the belt
- Insufficient working fluid level
Add liquid
- Air ingress into the hydraulic system
Remove air from the system
- Kinked or damaged hoses
Eliminate kinks or replace hoses
- Insufficient pressure of the power steering pump
Replace pump
- Increased internal leaks in the pump
Replace pump
- Fluid leaks from the steering gear
Replace defective parts
Indistinct return of the steering wheel to the center position:
- Difficult turning of the inner joints or the joints of the ends of the steering rods
Replace Tie Rod End or Tie Rod Assemblies
- Deformation of the steering rack
Replace steering gear
- Damage to the pinion bearing
Replace steering gear
- Kinked or damaged power steering hoses
Eliminate kinks or replace hoses
- Damage to the pressure control valve
Replace pressure regulating valve
- Damage to the pump rotor shaft bearing
Replace pump
- Violation of adjustment of the rail stop (overtighten)
Adjust the rail stop
Noise (knock) in steering:
- Loosening the bolts and nuts of the steering gear
Tighten the bolts and nuts
- Looseness of the fastening of the steering rods or ball joints of the rod ends
Tighten the nuts
- Wear of ball joints
Replace worn parts
- Violation of the adjustment of the rail stop (undershot)
Adjust the rail stop
Increased noise of the power steering pump:
- Insufficient working fluid level
Restore fluid levels to normal
- Air ingress into the hydraulic system
Remove the air
- Loosen the tightening of the pump mounting bolts
Tighten the bolts
The power steering system is filled with: oils for automatic transmissions Shell Spirax S2 ATF AX (Shell), ATF + 4 (Mobil, Texaco, Castrol, Esso), (Mobil, Texaco, Castrol, Esso),
Steering check
Check the position of the steering wheel spokes, which should be symmetrically positioned about the vertical axis when the front wheels are straight.
Otherwise, determine the cause of the malfunction and eliminate it.
Check the condition of the steering rod end protectors
Be sure to replace torn, cracked or lost elasticity rubber covers, otherwise water, dust and dirt trapped in the nodes will quickly disable them.
By sharply turning the steering wheel in both directions (this should be done by an assistant), visually and audibly check the fastening of the steering mechanism.
Moving the mechanism and knocking is not allowed.
If you find knocks and jams that prevent the steering wheel from turning, disconnect the tie rods from the steering knuckle arms and recheck.
If the knocking and jamming continues, remove the steering gear from the vehicle and have it repaired.
Check for play in the ball joints of the tie rod ends
Replace tips, the hinges of which have a noticeable backlash.
Also check the tightness of the nuts of the ball joints of the ends of the steering rods.
We check the condition of the protective covers of the steering rods.
Be sure to replace damaged covers
We check the condition of the cardan joints of the intermediate shafts
We check the condition of the ball joint of the upper intermediate shaft
We check the level and purity of the working fluid in the tank
Check the condition of the hoses and pipelines connecting the elements of the power steering system.
Eliminate any leaks found.
Checking the steering wheel play
You will need a ruler, chalk for marking.
With an increased free travel of the steering wheel, it becomes difficult to control the car, since it reacts with delay to the driver's actions.
In addition, an increased stroke, which cannot be eliminated by adjusting the steering mechanism, indicates a malfunction of the steering (loosening of the fastening of the steering mechanism, steering rods or wear of their parts).
Check the steering wheel play on a vehicle on a level, non-slip surface.
The backlash should not exceed 5˚.
For a steering wheel with an outer diameter of 360 mm, the backlash should not exceed 15-17 mm.
Set the front wheels to a straight-ahead position.
Install the ruler so that its end rests against the instrument panel, and the plane of the ruler touches the outer surface of the steering wheel rim.
Without changing the position of the ruler, turn the steering wheel to the right until the front wheels start turning.
In this position, make a mark on the steering wheel rim.
Without changing the position of the ruler, turn the steering wheel to the left until the front wheels start turning.
In this position, make a second mark on the steering wheel rim.
Measure the distance between the marks along the rim.
It should be no more than the calculated value.
If the distance (steering wheel free play) is greater, it is necessary to establish the cause and eliminate it.