Steering System; Power Steering - Peterbilt 579 Operator's Manual

STEERING SYSTEM

STEERING SYSTEM

Power Steering

Oil (under low pressure) provides the
power to operate the steering gear. It
also serves to lubricate moving parts
and remove heat. A loss of steering
efficiency will occur if too much heat
builds up in the system.
WARNING!
Do not operate the vehicle if the steer-
ing system is not working properly.
You could lose control of your vehicle
if the steering system is not in good
5
working condition, which could re-
sult in a serious accident. For driving
safety, visually check the steering gear
and components. Frequent checks
are important for driving safety, espe-
cially after traveling over rough roads.
Failure to comply may result in death,
personal injury, equipment or property
damage.
5-130
If the steering feels unbalanced from
side-to-side while turning, check for
the following possible causes:
•
unequal tire pressures
•
vehicle overloaded or unevenly
distributed load
•
wheels out of alignment
•
wheel bearings improperly
adjusted.
If you cannot correct the problem,
check with an authorized dealer.
Your vehicle is equipped with integral
power steering. The system includes
an engine-driven fluid pump, a fluid
reservoir, the steering gear, and
connecting hoses. Because of the
hydraulic power assist, little effort is
required to turn the steering wheel.
When no input is applied through the
steering wheel, the steering gear will
return to the neutral position. If, for
Y53-6047–2C
any reason, the power assist system
goes out, steering the vehicle is still
possible, yet it will require much
greater effort.
Visually check the following parts:
•
Crosstube: Is it straight?
•
Draglink tube clamp: Check for
looseness or interference.
•
Ball joints and steering U-joints:
Check for looseness.
•
Steering wheel for excessive
free-play. Check the simplest
probable causes first:
a. unequal tire pressures
b. loose cap nuts
c. bent crosstube
d. lack of lubrication.
•
If these checks do not reveal the
problem, or if you correct them
and still have a steering problem,
(04/13)