Power Steering

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The power steering system uses a vane-type pump to pump fluid from the reservoir to the rack-and-pinion steering gear. The power steering pump is mounted to the engine and is driven by the accessory belt from the engine crankshaft. Power steering fluid is pulled into one side of the pump from the reservoir through a filter by vacuum. The power steering fluid is then trapped and squeezed into a smaller area inside the pump. This action pressurizes the fluid at the output as it flows to the rest of the system. A pressure relief/flow valve in the pump and a check valve in the steering gear inlet port control the maximum pressure. This action prevents damage to the system during varying engine speeds. While under pressure, the power steering fluid flows through the high pressure power steering line to the rack-and-pinion steering gear.