STEERING GEAR
Item
Part Number
Description
1
-
Locknut
2
-
Tie-rod end
3
-
Locknut
4
-
Tie-rod
5
-
Steering gear boot
6
-
Steering gear casing attachment lugs
7
-
Pressure/return pipes
8
-
Valve unit housing
9
-
Input shaft
10
-
Pressure/return connection to/from pump
11
-
Attachment bolts
The steering gear, manufactured by Visteon, is located at the rear, top face, of the front subframe. It is solidly bolted to
the subframe with two bolts. The bolts are passed through from the underside of the subframe, to improve service access,
and are screwed into threaded bosses on the steering gear body.
The steering gear is a conventional end take-off, rack and pinion power assisted unit with lock to lock requiring 2.6 turns
of the steering wheel. This gives a steering ratio (ratio of steering wheel angle to road wheel angle) of 16.7:1 which
provides very quick and responsive reaction to driver inputs. The steering gear features large diameter tie-rods which
optimize feedback and feel to the driver.
The steering gear comprises a steel, welded and machined, one piece housing which contains a mechanical steering rack, a
valve unit and an integrated hydraulic power unit. The steering gear uses a rack with an integrated piston which is guided
on plain bearings within the rack housing. The pinion, which is attached to the valve unit, runs in bearings and meshes
with the rack teeth. The rack is pressed against the pinion by a spring loaded yoke which ensures that the teeth mesh
without any play. The pinion is connected to the valve unit via a torsion bar. The rotary motion of the steering wheel is
converted into linear movement of the rack by the pinion and is initiated by the valve unit. This movement is transferred
into movement of the road wheels by adjustable tie-rods.
The piston of the hydraulic power unit is located at one end of the gear housing. Each side of the piston is connected to
fluid pressure or fluid return via external metal pipes which are connected to the valve unit. Each end of the gear has a
threaded hole which provides for the fitment of the tie-rod. The external ends of the steering gear are sealed with boots
which prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture and allow for vertical movement of the tie-rods with the suspension in
addition to linear movement when the steering wheel is turned. The boots are serviceable items and are retained on the
gear housing and the tie-rod with ties.
Valve Unit
• NOTE: Typical valve unit shown