Chrysler PT Cruiser 2001 Service Manual Supplement page 1158

PT
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds up hydraulic pressure and
assists in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER
PARTS AND EXHAUST
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
CAUTION: Do not use any type of automatic trans-
mission fluid in the power steering system. Use
only correct Mopar Power Steering Fluid or equiv-
alent.
POWER STEERING GEAR
NOTE: Before proceeding with this removal and
installation procedure, review SERVICE WARNINGS
AND CAUTIONS at the beginning of REMOVAL AND
INSTALLATION in this section.
REMOVAL
(1) Place the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-
AHEAD position. Using a steering wheel holder, lock
the steering wheel in place to keep it from rotating
(Fig. 2). This keeps the clockspring in the proper ori-
entation.
STEERING FLUID,
SYSTEM MAY
(2) Remove the silencer pad below the knee
ENGINE
blocker panel below the steering column.
BE
(3) Fold down and remove the knee blocker.
(4) Remove the steering column coupling retainer
pin, back off the pinch bolt nut, and remove the
steering column coupling pinch bolt (Fig. 3)(the pinch
bolt nut is caged to the coupling and is not remov-
able). Separate the upper and lower steering column
couplings.
Fig. 3 Steering Column Couplings
1 – RETAINING PIN
2 – PINCH BOLT
3 – NUT
(5) Raise the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING in the
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE section.
(6) Remove both front tire and wheel assemblies
from the vehicle.
(7) Remove nuts attaching both outer tie rods to
the steering knuckles (Fig. 4). Remove each nut by
holding the tie rod stud stationary while loosening
STEERING
Fig. 2 Steering Wheel Holder
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