Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1656

DR
STEERING
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
STEERING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
STEERING FLOW AND PRESSURE . . . . . . . . 4
SPECIAL TOOLS
STEERING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
STEERING
DESCRIPTION
CAUTION: MOPAR ATF+4 is to be used in the
power steering system. No other power steering or
automatic transmission fluid is to be used in the
system. Damage may result to the power steering
pump and system if any other fluid is used, and do
not overfill.
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).
Power assist is provided by an engine mounted
hydraulic pump which supplies hydraulic fluid pres-
sure to the steering gear.
STEERING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
COLUMN
GEAR - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION
GEAR - LINK/COIL
LINKAGE - INDEPENDENT FRONT
SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
LINKAGE - LINK/COIL
PUMP
1 - POWER STEERING PUMP ASSEMBLY
2 - RESERVOIR
3 - HOSES
4 - TIE ROD ENDS
5 - MOUNTING BOLTS
6 - RACK & PINION
STEERING
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Fig. 1 STEERING COMPONENTS
19 - 1
page
. . 17