Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual - part 31

steering or speed-sensitive variable-assist power steer-
ing. Early production vehicles are equipped with
speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering only,
while later production vehicles are equipped with
standard power steering only. The variable-assist fea-
ture on the early production vehicles is built into the
power steering pump. Refer to POWER STEERING
PUMP for additional information on speed-sensitive
variable-assist power steering.

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

• POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER TUBES
For information on the first two components, refer

to their respective sections within this service man-
ual group. Information on the third component can
be found in POWER STEERING PUMP. Information
on all other components, and all diagnosis and test-
ing can be found in this section of this service man-
ual group.

OPERATION

Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lin-

ear travel through the meshing of the helical pinion
teeth with the rack teeth. Power assist steering is
provided by an open center, rotary type control valve.

STEERING

19 - 1

It is used to direct oil from the power steering pump
to either side of the integral steering rack piston.

Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion

bar which initially steers the vehicle. As steering
effort increases as in a turn, the torsion bar twists,
causing relative rotary motion between the rotary
valve body and valve spool. This movement directs
oil behind the integral rack piston, which in turn
builds up hydraulic pressure and assists in the turn-
ing effort.

Refer to POWER STEERING PUMP for informa-

tion on the operation of the speed-sensitive variable-
assist power steering.

POWER STEERING FLUID HOSES

DESCRIPTION

The power steering fluid hoses connect the compo-

nents of the power steering system.

The power steering fluid supply hose is a special

rubber hose that connects the power steering fluid
reservoir to the power steering pump. The hose is
secured at each end using a standard adjustable
clamp.

The power steering fluid pressure hose is a high

pressure hose that connects the power steering pump
to the gear. At both ends of the flexible hose portion
are steel fittings that are pressure crimped to the
flexible hose. A standard tube nut fitting with an
O-ring is used at each end to connect it to either the
power steering pump or the gear.

The power steering fluid return hose is a special

rubber hose that connects the power steering gear
and the power steering fluid cooler, back to the fluid
reservoir. A standard tube nut fitting with an O-ring
is used to connect it to the power steering gear. The
hose is secured to the cooler and reservoir using
standard adjustable clamps.

OPERATION

The power steering fluid hoses transfer fluid from

one power steering system component to the next.

POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER

DESCRIPTION

The purpose of the power steering cooler is to keep

the temperature of the power steering system fluid
from rising to a level that would affect the perfor-
mance of the power steering system.

The cooler is placed in series with the power steer-

ing fluid return hose, between the steering gear fluid
outlet port and the power steering fluid reservoir. It
is mounted to the bumper reinforcement in front of
the radiator (Fig. 1). The cooler is secured to the
power steering fluid return hose using standard
adjustable clamps or crimp clamps.

OPERATION

The cooler used on this vehicle is referred to as a

fluid-to-air type cooler. This means that the air flow
across the tubes of the cooler is used to extract the
heat from the cooler which it has absorbed from the
power steering fluid flowing through it. The temper-
ature of the power steering fluid is lowered prior to it
entering the power steering fluid reservoir where it
is resupplied to the power steering pump.

Fig. 1 Power Steering Fluid Cooler

1 – POWER STEERING FLUID HOSES
2 – CRIMP CLAMPS
3 – POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER

19 - 2

STEERING

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

POWER STEERING FLUID PRESSURE SWITCH

DESCRIPTION

On vehicles equipped with power steering, a power

steering pressure switch (Fig. 2) is used to improve
the vehicle’s idle quality when required. When a
demand for power assist is put on the power steering
system at idle, pump pressure puts additional load
on the engine, thus decreasing engine idle speed. The
pressure switch improves vehicle idle quality by
maintaining the required engine idle speed when the
pressure rises in the power steering system.

The power steering pressure switch is mounted

directly to the power steering gear (Fig. 2).

OPERATION

The pressure switch functions by signaling the

powertrain control module that the power steering
system is putting additional load on the engine. This
type of condition exists when turning the front tires
of the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is at idle speed. When this condition is sensed
by the power train control module, through a signal
from the power steering pressure switch, engine idle
speed will be maintained. The maintained engine idle

speed compensates for the additional load, thus
maintaining the require engine idle speed and idle
quality.

Fig. 2 Power Steering Pressure Switch Location

1 – WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR
2 – POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH
3 – POWER STEERING GEAR

STEERING

19 - 3

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHARTS

POWER STEERING NOISE

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

OBJECTIONABLE HISS
OR WHISTLE*

1. Damaged or mispositioned
steering column shaft/coupling dash
panel seal.

1. Reposition or replace steering
column shaft/coupling dash panel seal.

2. Noisy valve in power steering
gear.

2. Replace power steering gear.

RATTLE OR CLUNK

1. Power steering gear loose on front
suspension crossmember.

1. Inspect power steering gear
mounting bolts. Replace as necessary.
Tighten to the specified torque.

2. Front suspension crossmember
mounting fasteners loose at frame.

2. Tighten the front suspension
crossmember mounting fasteners to the
specified torque.

3. Loose tie rod (outer or inner).

3. Check tie rod pivot points for wear.
Replace worn/loose parts as required.

4. Loose lower control arm mounting
bolts at front suspension
crossmember.

4. Tighten control arm mounting bolts to
the specified torques.

5. Loose shock assembly mounting
fasteners at shock tower.

5. Tighten shock assembly fasteners to
the specified torques.

6. Power steering fluid pressure
hose touching the body of the
vehicle.

6. Adjust hose to proper position by
loosening, repositioning, and tightening
fitting to specified torque. Do not bend
tubing.

7. Internal power steering gear
noise.

7. Replace power steering gear.

8. Damaged front suspension
crossmember.

8. Replace front suspension
crossmember.

POPPING NOISE

1. Worn outer tie rod.

1. Replace outer tie rod.

CHIRP OR SQUEAL
(POWER STEERING
PUMP)

1. Loose power steering pump drive
belt.

1. Check and adjust power steering
pump drive belt to specifications.
Replace belt if worn or glazed.

WHINE OR GROWL
(POWER STEERING
PUMP)**

1. Low fluid level.

1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
proper level and check for leaks (make
sure all air is bled from the system
fluid).

2. Power steering hose touching
vehicle body or frame.

2. Adjust hose to proper position by
loosening, repositioning, and tightening
fitting to specified torque. Do not bend
tubing. Replace hose if damaged.

3. Extreme wear of power steering
pump internal components.

3. Replace power steering pump and
flush system as necessary.

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STEERING

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