Operation - Power Steering System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, 2004 Chrysler Intrepid, 2004 Chrysler Concorde, and 2004 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lateral (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth within the steering gear. This lateral travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.

Power assist steering is provided by a belt-driven rotary type pump. It directs fluid through power steering hoses to the power steering gear where it is used to assist the driver's turning effort.

Manual steering control of the vehicle can be maintained if power steering assist is lost. However, under this condition, steering effort is significantly increased.

Refer to POWER STEERING GEAR for information on the operation of the speed-sensitive variable-effort power steering.