Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual page 1386

AN
STEERING
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
POWER STEERING SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
STEERING
DESCRIPTION
Power steering systems consist of:
• Steering column
• Rack and pinion steering gear
• Belt driven hydraulic steering pump
• Pump pressure and return hoses
• Oil Cooler
OPERATION
The steering column shaft is attached to the gear
pinion. The rotation of the pinion moves the gear
rack from side-to-side. This lateral action of the rack
pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction
of the front wheels.
Fig. 1 Steering Pump, Gear And Oil Cooler - 5.2L & 5.9L
1 - HYDRAULIC PUMP
2 - RACK AND PINION GEAR
3 - OIL COOLER
STEERING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
POWER STEERING FLOW AND PRESSURE . . . 4
COLUMN
GEAR
LINKAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
PUMP
Power assist is provided by an engine mounted
hydraulic pump, (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2) the pump sup-
plies hydraulic fluid pressure to the steering gear.
Some vehicles are equipped with an oil cooler.
Fig. 2 Steering Pump, Gear And Oil Cooler - 4.7L
1 - HYDRAULIC PUMP
2 - RACK AND PINION GEAR
3 - OIL COOLER
STEERING
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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