Captiva

Power Steering System Description and Operation

The power steering system consists of three components:

The power steering pump is a vane-type pump providing hydraulic pressure for the system and is powered by the engine. It draws on the power steering fluid reservoir, which in turn is connected to the power steering gear. A pressure-relief valve inside the flow control valve limits the pump pressure. The power steering rack and pinion gear has a rotary control valve which directs hydraulic fluid coming from the power steering pump to one side or the other side of the rack piston. The integral rack piston is attached to the rack. The rack piston converts hydraulic pressure to a linear force which moves the rack to the left or the right. The force is then transmitted through the inner and the outer track rods to the steering knuckles, which turn the wheels.