Subaru LEGACY 2002 Quick Reference Index page 464

Power Assisted System (Power Steering)
! RELIEF VALVE
The relief valve consists of a check ball and a spring. The check ball is exposed to the fluid pres-
sure that is regulated by the flow control valve (branched from the line to the steering gearbox).
If the pressure acting on the check ball is increased abnormally due to, for example, rotation of the
steering wheel to a stop and overcomes the spring tension, the ball is pushed to the left, allowing
the fluid to be drained into the reservoir tank. Therefore, the pressure to the steering gearbox is
prevented from becoming excessively high.
(A) Relief valve not in operation
(B) Relief valve in operation
(1) To reservoir tank
(2) Spring
(3) Check ball
(4) Valve closed
POWER STEERING SYSTEM
(A)
(2)
(1)
(B)
(1)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(5) Fluid pressure after passing through flow control valve
(low)
(6) Valve open
(7) Fluid pressure after passing through flow control valve
(higher than preset level)
PS-24
B4H1778B