Dodge Intrepid Service Manual page 478

LH
STEERING
DESCRIPTION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
OPERATION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
CAUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
STEERING FLOW AND PRESSURE TEST . . . . 2
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
DIAGNOSIS CHARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
STEERING
DESCRIPTION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
This vehicle is available with 3 different types of
power steering. They are standard, firm-feel, or
speed-sensitive variable-effort
power steering.
The firm-feel steering gear is physically the same
as the standard gear used on some models. The dif-
ference is internal to the gear. The internal calibra-
tion gives the driver a more firm feel at the steering
wheel. It is serviced the same as the standard steer-
ing gear.
The speed-sensitive variable-effort power steering
system, better known as speed-proportional steering,
is an electronically controlled, variable-effort type
power steering system. The steering gear has an
externally mounted control valve which in conjunc-
tion with mechanical components varies steering
effort at different vehicle speeds. At low speeds lower
steering effort is provided to allow ease in steering
and parking. At higher speeds, higher effort is pro-
vided to give a more firm, responsive steering feel.
The power steering system consists of these major
components:
• Power Steering Pump
• Power Steering Gear
• Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
• Power Steering Fluid Supply Hose
• Power Steering Fluid Pressure Hose
• Power Steering Fluid Return Hose
• Power Steering Fluid Cooler
For information on the fluid cooler, reservoir and
hoses, refer to POWER STEERING PUMP in this
section.
STEERING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
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. . . 1
COLUMN
GEAR
PUMP
OPERATION - POWER STEERING SYSTEM
eral (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the
helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth within the
steering gear. This lateral travel pushes and pulls
the tie rods to change the direction of the vehicle's
(speed-proportional)
front wheels.
rotary type pump. It directs fluid through power
steering hoses to the power steering gear where it is
used to assist the driver's turning effort.
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
tion on the operation of the speed-sensitive variable-
effort power steering.
WARNING
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
COMPONENTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES OR DRIVE BELTS. DO NOT
ALLOW HOSES TO TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANI-
FOLD OR CATALYST.
CAUTION
CAUTION: During repair procedures requiring the
power steering fluid hoses to be disconnected, cap
all open ends of the hose connections. This will
prevent the entry of foreign material into the com-
ponents while the power steering hoses are discon-
nected.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SPEED
PROPORTIONAL POWER STEERING . . . . . . . 9
SPECIFICATIONS
POWER STEERING FASTENER TORQUE
STEERING COLUMN FASTENER TORQUE
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lat-
Power assist steering is provided by a belt-driven
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
Refer to POWER STEERING GEAR for informa-
STEERING 19 - 1
page
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