Steering Gear - Power: Description

Recirculating ball system in which steel ball bearings work as a rolling thread between steering gear worm shaft and rack piston nut. Worm shaft is supported by a thrust preload bearing and 2 conical thrust races at lower end, and a bearing assembly in adjuster plug at upper end.

Adjuster plug provides initial preload adjustment and service adjustment. As worm shaft is turned right, rack piston moves up in gear. Turning worm shaft left moves rack piston down in gear. Rack piston teeth mesh with sector, which is part of the pitman shaft. Turning worm shaft turns pitman shaft, which turns wheels through mechanical linkage.